What We’re Watching
- The federal government is receiving pleas to close the unofficial border crossing at Roxham Road from Quebec Premier Francois Legault, who states that the flow of irregular immigrants is exceeding the province’s capacity to process them. The border crossing at Roxham Road has been a contentious policy issue for the past few years.
- Alberta political observers will soon find out the fate of Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, as the results of a review vote on his leadership are set to be made public on May 18th.
- With a little over two weeks left to go in the Ontario provincial election campaign, Party leaders face off in an English language debate this evening. Things get underway at 6:30 PM ET.
- The French debate for the Conservative Party leadership race is scheduled to take place next Wednesday in Laval, Quebec. This will be the third debate between CPC leadership hopefuls, following the debates that took place in Ottawa and Edmonton.
In the House
- Debate on Bill C-14, the Preserving Provincial Representation in the House of Commons Act, will resume today, and Bill C-18, the Online News Act, will be debated on Wednesday.
- Tuesday and Thursday are allotted days for the consideration of the business of supply.
- The House will be on break next week (May 23-27).
Legislation and Committee Updates
- TRAN will begin its study on Reducing Red Tape and Costs on Rural and Urban Canadian Airports today.
- FINA will meet today to continue studying Bill C-19, Budget Implementation Act, 2022, No. 1. The committee is set to have double sittings in order to review the bill.
- INDU will continue with their study on small and medium sized enterprises on Tuesday.
- AGRI will hear from Minister Bibeau and departmental officials during main estimates on Thursday.
- FEWO will convene on Friday to discuss Resource Development and Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls. Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, Marci Ien, and Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Marc Miller, will appear.
In the Senate
- The Senate is sitting this week before going on break next week.
- Senate Public Bill S-217, the Frozen Assets Repurposing Act, will continue third reading debate.
Legislation and Committee Updates
- The Senate Official Languages committee convenes today to discuss Francophone immigration to minority communities and will feature an appearance by Immigration Minister Sean Fraser.
- The Senate National Security and Defence committee also meets today to discuss Divisions 19 and 20 of Part 5 of Bill C-19.
- The Senate Finance committee meets Tuesday to continue its study of Bill C-8.
ICYMI
- Last week, the Competition Bureau announced that it seeks to block the $26 billion Rogers-Shaw merger based on findings that the deal would prevent or lessen competition in wireless services. Both companies released a statement reaffirming their commitment to the deal.
- During the CPC debate last Wednesday, Pierre Poilievre commented on his plan to remove Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem if elected as Prime Minister. Poilievre’s criticisms of the central bank are not new, but this assertion prompted criticism from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and others running for CPC leadership.
- Last Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada will send six staff officers and one general officer from the Canadian Armed Forces to the NATO Multinational Division North Headquarters in Latvia to boost Canada’s NATO military role.
- The Supreme Court of Canada ruled last Friday that defendants accused of violent crimes can use self-induced extreme intoxication as a defence, noting that a 1995 law passed by Parliament prohibiting this defence was unconstitutional and in violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Provincial Updates
#ONpoli
- With just a little over two weeks to go until the election, the parties are rolling out more campaign promises. The Liberals and Greens released their costed platforms last week, and the NDP pledged to lower auto insurance rates by 40%.
- Following scrutiny over the revelation that eight MPPs received allowances from their riding associations, Premier Doug Ford committed to review and tighten up election financing rules.
- Three Liberal candidates were dropped by the party last week following the unearthing of controversial comments and opinions online and in print. These candidates were from the ridings of Chatham-Kent-Leamington, Parry Sound-Muskoka, and Sault Ste. Marie.
- Party leaders are set to square off in a leader’s debate on Monday, broadcast on most major networks. Things kick off at 6:30PM ET.
#BCpoli
- The Liberals have unveiled a new policy position that calls for public funding of one in-vitro fertilization cycle for individuals and families earning $150,000 or less annually.
- The government announced $2.8 million in funding over three years for not-for-profit clinics that provide dental care to low-income individuals.
#ABpoli
- Following an announcement on May 2 that the government would be ending its insulin pump program on August 1, Health Minister Jason Copping stated the government would pause the program’s end and apologized for the confusion after receiving backlash from diabetics and patient advocacy groups.
- Premier Jason Kenney, Minister of Energy Sonya Savage, and Minister of Environment and Parks Jason Nixon will be addressing the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to discuss Alberta’s role in bolstering North American energy security, intending to increase energy exports to the U.S. and worldwide.
- Alberta political observers will soon find out the fate of Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, as the results of a review vote on his leadership are set to be made public on May 18th.
#ATLpoli
- The government of Nova Scotia announced that they will borrow up to $1.8 billion to fund the construction and renovation of 24 long-term care facilities across the province and the building of 500 rooms in the Halifax Regional Municipality over the next few years. These long-term care projects were previously announced and are a part of a package of 27 approved projects to increase long-term care capacity.
- The government of Newfoundland and Labrador established an expert advisory panel to analyze and recommend potential approaches for the government to ensure maximum long-term benefits upon the termination of the Churchill Falls hydro deal with Quebec, which is slated to end in 2041. The panel will meet monthly and comprises academics, scientists, lawyers, business people, and members of Labrador’s three Indigenous groups.
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is preparing for delays following findings that it will take at least a year to resolve software issues plaguing the Muskrat Falls transmission line to Labrador.