They’re Baaack! | Your Look Ahead from Summa Strategies

6 minute read

What We’re Watching

ICYMI

  • The Bank of Canada raised interest rates again, however Governor Tiff Macklem stated that the central bank is going on ‘pause’ in its campaign of rate hikes on a conditional basis.
  • Prime Minister Trudeau announced Amira Elghawaby as Canada’s first special representative on combating Islamophobia, who will advise the federal government on how to better fight discrimination against the Muslim community. 
  • Minister of National Defence Anita Anand announced on Thursday that Canada will be donating 4 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks to Ukraine. Minister Anand stated that the size of Canada’s contribution takes into consideration the need to maintain Canada’s readiness: leaving enough tanks for Canadian troops to train at home and to meet NATO commitments.
  • The prime minister and his cabinet finished their three day retreat in Hamilton, Ontario on Wednesday. Talks are said to have focused on “growing and strengthening the economy, making life more affordable and improving health care for Canadians.”
  • Liberal MP Kirsty Duncan announced on Thursday that she would be taking a leave of absence on the advice of her doctors in order to address a personal medical issue. She added that she will continue to serve as the member of Parliament for Etobicoke–North, and hopes to return to the House of Commons as soon as possible. 
  • Canada’s Federal Court of Appeal has rejected the Competition Bureau’s request to block the takeover of Shaw by Rogers, a decision that removes one of the final hurdles standing in the way of the $20-billion merger from going ahead.
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized the pre-emptive use of the Notwithstanding Clause; these comments came amidst the Quebec secularism law Bill 21. The prime minister additionally stated that the federal government will intervene when Bill 21 reaches the Supreme Court, prompting Quebec Premier Francois Legault to condemn “[the Prime Minister’s] frontal attack on our nation’s ability to protect our collective rights.” 

In the House

Legislation

  • There are currently a number of bills on the Order Paper and on Government House Leader Mark Holland’s plate that need to be guided through the Commons in the upcoming legislative sessions. These include:
    • Bill C-21, the government’s firearms legislation, is before the House Public Safety and National Security Committee
    • Bill C-22, the Canada Disability Benefit Act is currently at report stage
    • Bill C-26, the government’s cyber-security bill, is currently at the second-reading stage in the House
    • Bill C-34, the National Security Review of Investments Modernization Act would prohibit foreign investment and serve to protect national economic security. It is currently at second reading. 

Committee Business

  • CIIT will meet today to discuss the Potential Impacts of the ArriveCAN Application on Certain Canadian Sectors, and the Potential Trade Implications of Transporting Goods in Railway Containers 
  • AGRI will meet today to discuss the Ukraine Goods Remission Order and Global Food Insecurity
  • CACN will meet today to discuss relations between Canada and the People’s Republic of China
  • HESA will meet on Tuesday to discuss Canada’s Health Workforce 
  • TRAN will meet on Tuesday to discuss Reducing Red Tape and Costs on Rural and Urban Canadian Airports 
  • RNNR will meet on Tuesday to discuss Creating a Fair and Equitable Canadian Energy Transformation
  • AGRI will meet on Wednesday to discuss Global Food Insecurity 

In the Senate

Legislation

  • The senate has a number of government bills on its agenda for the upcoming legislative session including:
    • Bill C-11, the online streaming act, which will soon begin second reading after the completion of an exhaustive pre-study.
    • Bill C-18, the online news act, will begin second reading.
    • Bill C-29, which looks to create a national council of reconciliation, will begin second reading

Committee Business 

  • SECD will meet today to examine and report on issues relating to security and defence in the Arctic.
  • AEFA will meet Tuesday to begin a comprehensive review of the provisions and operation of the Sergei Magnitsky Law, and the Special Economic Measures Act.

#ONPoli

  • Ontario’s teachers’ unions are warning the Ford government that they are ready to “mobilize” if the province imposes a contract on educators or uses the notwithstanding clause to settle any bargaining dispute.
  • Federal environment minister Steven Guilbeault was quoted as saying he has “a legislative obligation to intervene” if species-at-risk are threatened by any Greenbelt development. Premier Doug Ford responded by stating that he’s “really disappointed when I hear that, when we work collaboratively.”
  • While announcing that the Brampton Civic Centre will undergo renovations to become the home of the new Toronto Metropolitan University medical school in 2025, Premier Ford stated that he is “very, very confident” that a new deal will be reached with the federal government over health care transfers.
  • Former 12-term Mississauga mayor “Hurricane” Hazel McCallion passed away at home early in the morning of Sunday, January 29th. McCallion was 101 years old and served as mayor into her 94th year. Statements by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford remembered McCallion as a tenacious trailblazer for women in politics. 

#ABPoli

  • Premier Danielle Smith called for a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in February to help shape the upcoming federal legislation expected to help energy workers get jobs in a low-carbon economy.
  • The Alberta Premier’s Office has called for apology and retraction by CBC for a number of stories which alleged that the office was in contact with Crown prosecutors regarding the handling of cases tied to last year’s Coutts border blockade. The CBC responded by stating it was standing by its stories. 

#BCPoli

  • Premier David Eby’s recent appointment of special advisers on housing, health and Indigenous reconciliation is fuelling speculation he is building a parallel cabinet in his office, with critics stating that it’s a sign the premier won’t relinquish control on major files.
  • B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said the City of Surrey, Surrey RCMP and Surrey Police Service need to provide more information before the provincial government can decide which of the two police forces should oversee law and order in the province’s second most-populous municipality.

#ATLPoli

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