What We’re Watching
- A tentative agreement was reached between the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Province of Ontario on Sunday evening, preventing strike action that would have taken place on Monday. CUPE stated earlier last week that talks had broken down with the Ontario government, only two weeks after the last walkout ended.
- Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly are headed to Tunisia for the 18th Summit of La Francophonie.
- A report by Statistics Canada shows that inflation held steady throughout October as grocery price growth continues to slow.
- After weeks of empty shelves, Health Canada confirmed that 1 million units of children’s pain and fever relief medication will arrive this week.
- The inquiry into the use of the Emergencies Act continues this week with many anticipated witnesses including the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and numerous cabinet members. Witnesses today include top officials from CSIS and the Integrated Terrorism Assessment Centre.
In the House
- Bill C-32, An Act to implement certain provisions of the fall economic statement, is at second reading.
- Bill C-33, An Act to strengthen the port system and railway safety in Canda, is at second reading.
- Bill C-244, An Act to amend the Copyright Act is at consideration in committee in the House of Commons.
- Bill C-27, An Act to enact the Consumer Privacy Protection Act, the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act and the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts, will continue second reading debate this week.
Committee Updates
- INDU will meet today to discuss Blockchain Technology.
- FEWO will meet today to discuss Women and Girls in Sport.
- FINA will meet today to discuss Subject Matter of Bill C-32.
- TRAN will meet today to discuss Air Passenger Protection Regulations.
- OGGO will meet today on the subject of Supplementary Estimates. Treasury Board President Mona Fortier will appear.
- AGRI will commence their study on Food Price Inflation today.
- RNNR will meet Tuesday to discusses Federal Assistant for Various Natural Resources Industries.
- CHPC will meet Tuesday for clause-by-clause consideration on Bill C-18.
- DEDC will meet on Thursday to continue their study into the invocation of the Emergencies Act during the Freedom Convoy in February 2022.
In the Senate
- Bill S-210, An Act to restrict young persons’ online access to sexually explicit material is at report stage in the Senate.
Committee Updates
- SECD will meet today to examine and report on issues relating to security and defence in the Arctic.
- Bill C-11, An Act to Amend the Broadcasting Act, will proceed to clause-by-clause consideration in the Senate this week.
ICYMI
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum last week. During closing remarks, he noted that Canada’s Armed Forces would be expected to play a greater role in the region – the first of several policies that will be included in the government’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, which has been promised for over a year.
- After a meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau on Thursday, a Chinese spokesperson called Canada’s manner condescending towards President Xi Jinping.
- Minister Guilbeault attended COP27 over the last two weeks where he discussed a loss and damage fund, cutting methane, and laying the groundwork for a biodiversity agreement, among other environmental issues.
- On Thursday, Minister Champagne formally launched the long-awaited review of Canada’s competition policy. The consultation, which proposes changes to the Competition Act and enhanced powers for the Competition Bureau, will run until late February.
- The G20 Summit closed on Wednesday in Bali, Indonesia. The world’s largest economies discussed Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine and the prevention of another pandemic.
- Former American President Trump announced his plans to run in the 2024 presidential elections.
- On Tuesday, a blast was reported in Poland. Although the NATO Secretary General said that there is no indication of a deliberate attack, Canada has offered support for an investigation.
- The Halifax International Security Forum took place this weekend with speeches from Defence Minister Anita Anand and the U.S. Defense Secretary. During her remarks, Anand announced Halifax would be the new home of NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic.
Provincial Updates
#ONPoli
- CUPE’s strike action was averted following a tentative agreement between the union and the Ford government, after talks had fallen apart earlier last week.
- Premier Ford has asked Ontarians to wear their masks amidst rising levels of COVID-19, RSV, and the seasonal flu but has stopped short of implementing a mask mandate.
- Ontario’s health minister has issued a statement denying that the government wishes for health care privatization.
- Minister for Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark introduced new legislation last week that enhance new “strong mayor” powers, allowing Mayors to pass by-laws related to development with only ⅓ of council support.
- The comment period on Bill 23, the province’s expansive housing legislation, is set to end Thursday of this week.
#ABPoli
- Premier Smith fired the Alberta Health Services board last Thursday and has appointed a new administrator who will report to the health minister.
- On Thursday evening, Alberta’s health minister reported the province’s first influenza-related death of the season as the virus circulates through the province at high levels.
- After numerous mentions of her Cherokee ancestry, researchers have found no evidence of Indigenous heritage in Premier Smith’s lineage. The Premier responded by stating that she had not done a deep dive into her ancestry.
- First Nations leaders in Alberta have announced that they will stand in solidarity against Premier Smith’s planned Alberta Sovereignty Act. Alberta’s justice minister has stated that the sovereignty act would challenge unconstitutional federal advancements on areas of provincial jurisdiction.
#BCPoli
- After being sworn in as Premier last week, Premier Eby has announced two new tax credits for British Columbians. The first is a cost-of-living credit for residents on their electricity bills, and the second is a BC Affordability Credit for low and middle income people starting in January.
- Outgoing Premier Horgan has offered to act as an intermediary between the premiers and the Prime Minister as debates continue in health-care funding.
- The B.C. Liberal Party announced this week that it is considering changing its name to B.C. United.
#ATLPoli
