What We’re Watching
- A total of 13 parliamentary committee meetings were cancelled during the week of May 16 due to a lack of interpreters and staff support needed to manage hybrid proceedings and late-night sittings. The option of extended sitting hours is in effect until June 23rd, made possible by a motion supported by the Liberals and the NDP earlier this year, citing the need for more time to pass legislation.
- Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said he detected a “positive shift” in the U.S. administration’s positions on tax incentives for electric vehicles following his visit to Washington, D.C. last week.
- After meeting in Regina on Friday last week, Canada’s western premiers are demanding a 13% increase to the annual federal health transfer funding.
- Innovation, Science and Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne announced a new policy direction that prioritizes consumer interests and innovation for telecommunication services in Canada.
In the House
- Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino will introduce the Liberal government’s new gun control legislation today, in the wake of the recent school shooting tragedy in Uvalde, Texas.
- Today, the House will debate a time allocation motion on Bill C-18, the Online News Act, followed by an abbreviated continuation of debate on the bill itself. The vote to adopt C-18 at 2nd reading will be deferred to Tuesday. The House will also vote today on the Conservative opposition day motion regarding rules and service for travel.
- Later this evening, the House will convene for its consideration of Main Estimates for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in committee of the whole.
- CPHC will meet today to continue discussing Bill C-11, An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act. The committee has several meetings on C-11 planned for this week.
- TRAN will hear from Hon. Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport, and Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities regarding Main Estimates 2022-23.
- NDDN will continue its study into Rising Domestic Operational Deployments and Challenges for the Canadian Armed Forces.
- FINA will discuss C-19, Budget Implementation Act, 2022, later this afternoon.
- HESA will meet on Wednesday, June 1, to discuss the Emergency Situation Facing Canadians in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic and hear from witnesses, including the Canadian Pharmacists Association.
- FEWO will convene on Friday, June 3, to consider the Draft Report on Intimate Partner and Domestic Violence in Canada.
In the Senate
- The Senate will resume sitting on Tuesday, May 31, when they are expected to continue debating the Government Leader in the Senate’s controversial motion to undertake an early pre-study of Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act.
- Senator Rosemary Moodie released a statement calling for the creation of a parliamentary office to represent children’s interests.
- The Senate National Finance committee will continue to discuss the subject matter of all of Bill C-19, Budget Implementation Act, 2022, throughout the week.
- The Senate National Security and Defence committee will hear from Public Safety Minister Marco Mendocino later today to discuss Bill S-7, An Act to amend the Customs Act and Preclearance Act.
- On Tuesday, the Senate Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency will continue their study on the use of the Emergencies Act.
ICYMI
- CPC Leadership candidates sparred through the only official French-language debate this past Thursday.
- After much public backlash, Canada Soccer officially cancelled an exhibition game against Iran, citing the “untenable geopolitical situation” as divisive.
- Quebec confirmed 25 cases of individuals infected with the Monkeypox virus and will be administering vaccines as soon as possible.
- Quebec’s legislature passed the controversial Bill 96, despite critiques from across the aisle.
- Former Foreign Affairs Minister and Liberal Party leader Stéphane Dion will soon be appointed as the new ambassador to France.
#ONPoli
- The Ontario General Election will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2022. Advance polls are open until May 28.
- An Ipsos poll released last week found that 45% of Ontarians believe Doug Ford and the PCs will win the provincial election, compared to 14% who said they believed Steven Del Duca and the Liberals will win, and 10% saying the same of Andrea Horwath and the NDP.
- Rainy days led to leaks on the Liberal and NDP campaigns, showing the Liberals strategizing for a minority government and the NDP insisting they have enough momentum to overcome Doug Ford.
- PC Leader Doug Ford continues to face criticism for remaining elusive about his campaign schedule. Liberal leader Steven Del Duca was scrutinized for spending. $14,437 at the Keg, among other hospitality expenses totalling $50,000 between 2013-2018. NDP leader Andrea Horwath was ratioed in a fact-checking comparison published by the Toronto Star.
#ABPoli
- After a narrow win of his leadership review with only 51.4% approval, Premier Jason Kenney announced that he would be stepping down as leader. Despite confusion about when he would vacate the seat, Kenney stated he would not be running again for party leader on his Saturday morning radio show.
- Justice Minister Tyler Shandro will soon be facing a three-day disciplinary hearing with the Law Society of Alberta in October due to allegations of unprofessional conduct associated with an altercation that occurred in March 2020.
- Justice Minister Tyler Shandro also used his authority under the Police Act to direct Edmonton’s Mayor, Amarjeet Sohi, to “take action” and submit a public safety plan to the province within two weeks, citing recent deaths and violent crime reporting as escalating causes for concern.
- UCP leadership hopefuls have begun floating their names about, including Danielle Smith, Brian Jean, and a handful of UCP cabinet ministers. Ministers Tyler Shandro, Jason Copping, Demetrios Nicolaides and Doug Schweitzer have announced they are not interested in running for the leadership.
#BCPoli
- Tourism Minister Melanie Mark doubled down on the controversial $789M proposal to tear down and rebuild the Royal B.C. Museum. The government released the business case, stating that repairing aging buildings would cost the same or more than their plans for a new facility.
- The Governments of Canada and British Columbia announced a joint investment for 14 CleanBC infrastructure projects across the province to create cleaner, stronger communities.
#ATLPoli
- New Brunswick’s NDP are facing another troubling season with calls for leader MacKenzie Thomason to resign.
- The Newfoundland and Labrador government announced new financial measures to help with the increased cost of living, including raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour by October 2023 and a temporary fuel tax reduction.
- On Thursday, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston indicated the province is ending COVID-19 briefings for media and will be winding down updates to the COVID-19 public dashboard.
