ICYMI
- As of today, 55.7% of Canadians have received one dose of vaccine, while 5.4% of the total population has received two doses. Two million more doses of Moderna vaccine are set to arrive in Canada before June 14.
- Quarantine hotels
- The Auditor General Karen Hogan released a report on May 26 which found that Canada’s emergency personal protective equipment (PPE) stockpile was insufficient at the beginning of the pandemic, and that those issues were identified over ten years ago. Minister Patty Hajdu accepted the Auditor General’s report in full.
- Bill C-15, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, has passed third reading at the House of Commons and is being considered in committee at the Senate. The Act would provide a framework to align Canadian law to be consistent with the Declaration. This debate comes at a time where the remains of 215 children were tragically discovered in a mass grave at the Kamloops Indian Residential School, while COVID-19 rages in Indigenous communities across Manitoba.
- The House adopted a Bloc motion declaring that it would be irresponsible for the Liberal government to call an election during the pandemic. The motion passed 327-1 with support from all parties, however, the motion remains non-binding.
- The Liberals and NDP have agreed to work on the passage of Bill C-12, the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act. Minister of Environment Jonathan Wilkinson said that the government would accept the NDP’s recommendations for the bill, which include progress reports in 2023 and 2025.
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau slammed criticism of the collaboration between the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg and a military research lab as “pandering to anti-Asian racism”. The Conservatives have countered these claims, continuing to ask questions about the personnel involved – who were removed from the lab in July 2019.
- Several provinces have announced their reopening plans to mixed reviews. The Government of Alberta plans to lift all restrictions by early July, while Nova Scotia’s plan does not include dates and is based solely on vaccination rates.
- An advisory panel has called on the federal government to end quarantine hotel measures for international travellers. The report cited high costs to both the government and travellers, as well as loopholes for those travelling into Canada by land.
In the House
- Today, the House of Commons begins week two of a spring sitting that will end on or before June 23rd. The government’s top priority legislation, the Budget Implementation Bill (Bill C-30), will continue and likely complete clause-by-clause consideration at the Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) this week.
- There are 10 bills at second reading. Priority bills include:
- Bill C-19, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (COVID-19 response) continues to be debated in the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.
- Bill C-12, the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, continues to be considered by the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.
- Bill C-21, An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms).
- Bill C-6, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy), is currently awaiting third reading.
- Bill C-10, An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts, has resumed clause-by-clause consideration. The Bill continues to be criticized by opposition for perceived limits to Canadian’s free speech and over-regulation of internet services.
In the Senate
- Bill C-15, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, passed third reading in the House and has moved to the Senate, where it was swiftly passed at second reading and sent to committee.
- Bill C-208, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (transfer of small business or family farm or fishing corporation) has been adopted at second reading by the Senate and has been referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry.
Committee Business
- The Standing Committee on Natural Resources will meet today to consider a draft report on Critical Mineral and Associated Value Chains in Canada.
- The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration will meet today to consider a draft report on Special Immigration and Refugee Measures for the People of Hong Kong.
- The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates will meet today to discuss Government’s Response to COVID-19. The Committee will also consider a draft report on the Nuctech Security Equipment Contract.
- The Special Committee on Canada-China Relations will meet today to hear from witnesses, including representatives from the Uyghur Research Institute, Alliance Canada Hong Kong, the Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies, and the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians.
- The Standing Committee on Public Accounts will meet tomorrow to discuss the Auditor General reports that were tabled in the House on May 26, 2021. The Auditor General will be in attendance.
- The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development will hold a Joint Meeting with the Standing Committee on National Defence tomorrow to receive a briefing from the Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada on the current situation in Ukraine.
- The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food will meet tomorrow to continue discussion on the Environmental Contribution of Agriculture.
#ONPoli
- Premier Doug Ford announced that the Government of Ontario will be speeding up the process for second doses, with the goal of fully vaccinating the majority of Ontario residents by the end of summer.
- The Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table has recommended that schools reopen to in-person learning on a regional basis. This recommendation comes after Premier Doug Ford sent a letter to stakeholders, asking for advice on reopening.
- Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams is set to be replaced today by Dr. Kieran Moore. Dr. Moore leads Public Health in the Kingston region, while Dr. Williams will be entering retirement.
#QCPoli
- According to a Leger poll, close to 80% of anglophones and 63.5% of allophones feel “less proud” to be Quebecers in response to the Legault government’s tabling of Bill 96. In contrast, 44.4% of francophones responded that French was “more threatened than ever”.
- Curfew has been lifted in Quebec, which has been in place since January 5. Quebecers can now go outside after 9:30pm, and businesses such as patios and outdoor dining can open to the public.
#MBPoli
- According to the New York Times, COVID-19 is spreading faster in Manitoba than any other jurisdiction in North America.
- The virus has been spreading in northern Indigenous communities and filling ICU capacity. The Government of Manitoba came under fire after the attempted airlift of Krystal Mousseau, a member of Ebb and Flow First Nation, to Ontario. Mousseau passed away during travel.
#BCPoli
- The Government of British Columbia announced its reopening plan, which projects the lifting of restrictions for September 7. The plan also projects that it will be safe for British Columbians to travel across Canada by July 1.
- Protestors gathered outside of Premier John Horgan’s office to demand an end to old-growth logging. Protestors have already been arrested at protests in Fairy Creek and Caycuse on Vancouver Island.
- The Indian Residential School Survivors advocacy group is calling for meaningful action from the federal government following the discovery of the remains of 215 children at the Kamloops Indian Residential School. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, tabled in 2015, called on the federal government to provide sustainable funding to residential school survivors and victims, and their families.
#ABPoli
- The Government of Alberta released its reopening plan, which includes lifting all restrictions by late June or early July. The Kenney Government has been criticized for its response to COVID-19, and is facing some backlash for this ambitious reopening target.
- If the latest poll from Mainstreet Research is to be believed, 55% of Albertans think that Jason Kenney should resign immediately (36% said that he shouldn’t).
- Close to 60% of Albertans over the age of 12 have received at least one dose of vaccine.
#ATLPoli
- The Government of Nova Scotia announced its reopening plan on May 28, which includes COVID-19 testing at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport. Vaccines are also available to anyone over the age of 12.
- The Government of Prince Edward Island released its reopening plan on May 27. The plan includes allowing those in Atlantic Canada to travel to PEI on June 27.
- The Government of Newfoundland will be releasing its Budget today. Minister of Finance Siobhan Coady said that the Budget will not be reflective of the Greene Report on proposed economic growth.