What We’re Watching
- The House of Commons only has a few weeks left before they recess for the summer. The government will try to pass nine key bills before then and has extended sitting hours to do so.
- The special rapporteur on foreign interference, David Johnston, rejected the call from the House of Common for his removal and to launch a public inquiry. He stated that his mandate comes from the government and not the House. He will testify at the Procedure and House Affairs Committee on Tuesday.
- A poll by Léger for the National Post indicated that only 27 per cent of Canadians believe David Johnston is credible and impartial on foreign interference, yet 54 per cent of Canadians are unaware of his report. The opposition parties have spent a lot of energy on foreign interference. It’s unclear, however, if this is an issue resonating with the general population.
- Air Canada experienced two major technical issues in a week, delaying hundreds of flights. Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said: “Based on current rules, passengers are protected. Air Canada has obligations to passengers.” This situation will test the Air Passenger Protection Regulations, the responsiveness of the process, and the patience of travellers.
- Yasir Naqvi launched his campaign for leader of the Ontario Liberals as the race heats up, and organizers are assembling around Mississauga’s Mayor Bonnie Crombie’s exploratory bid.
- Canada is experiencing an unusually severe start to fire season. The amount of land already burned is more than 10 times the average amount of land burned by June 1st over the last 10 years. Firefighters as far away as South Africa are expected to help Canada contain the wildfires.
- The news may be blocked for some Canadians on Facebook and Instagram in a temporary test that is expected to last the majority of the month.
In the House
- The government announced it will call C-47 for final debate early this week. It also intends to give priority to C-40, C-41, and C-48. Thursday will be an allotted day.
- Bill C-35, the Canada Early Learning and Childcare Act, is currently at the report stage.
- Bill C-47, the Budget Implementation Act, is concluding its work in committee and is expected for the third reading early this week.
- Bill C-244, an Act to amend the Copyright Act (diagnosis, maintenance and repair), is currently at the report stage.
- Bill C-27, an Act to enact the Consumer Privacy Protection Act, is being considered in committee.
- Bill C-22, the Canada Disability Act, is in consideration of messages from the Senate.
- Bill C-26, an Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act, is being considered in committee.
- Bill C-252, an Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act, is currently at the report stage.
House Committee Updates
- OGGO will meet today to discuss Federal Government Consulting Contracts Awarded to McKinsey & Company
- PROC will meet tomorrow to discuss the intimidation campaign against Michael Chong, the member for Wellington – Halton Hills, and other members. David Johnston, the special rapporteur on foreign interference, is scheduled to testify.
- TRAN will meet tomorrow to discuss adapting infrastructure to face climate change.
- NDDN will meet tomorrow to discuss Cybersecurity and Cyberwarfare
In the Senate
- Bill C-47, the Budget Implementation Act, is currently at report stage in the House of Commons and Senate pre-study.
- Bill C-13, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act, is currently being considered at committee.
- Bill C-18, the Online News Act, is currently being considered at committee.
- Bill C-241, an Act to amend the Income Tax Act, is at second reading.
- Bill C-254, an Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act, is currently being considered at committee.
Senate Committee Updates
- OLLO will meet today to discuss Bill C-18, the Online News Act. The president of the Treasury Board, Mona Fortier, and the minister of official languages, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, are scheduled to appear.
- SECD will meet today to discuss issues relating to national security and defence. The Ukrainian ambassador to Canada, Yuliya Kovaliv, is scheduled to appear.
- TRCM will meet tomorrow and Wednesday to discuss Bill C-18, the Online News Act. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, Pablo Rodriguez, is scheduled to appear on Wednesday.
- NFFN will meet tomorrow to examine the subject matter of all of Bill C-47, the Budget Implementation Act. The committee is also scheduled to hear from Chrystia Freeland, the Minister of Finance, on the same subject on Wednesday.
ICYMI
- John Hannaford, the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, has been named the next Clerk of the Privy Council.
- Ottawa hosted CANSEC, the annual global defence and security trade show, on May 31st and June 1st. Defence Minister Anita Anand and Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne made keynote speeches.
- Experts warned that AI poses an existential risk to humanity and compared it to the risk of nuclear war.
- Quebec MNAs could be the highest-paid provincial politicians in Canada as Quebec proposed a bill that would increase the salaries of MNAs by 30 per cent.
- The RCMP announced it “shut down illegal police activity in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia” connected to so-called Chinese “police stations,” but no arrests were confirmed.
Provincial Updates
#ONPoli
- The York Catholic District School Board decided not to fly the Pride flag during Pride Month. On Thursday, Ottawa’s public school board reported nine of its schools had absent rates over 40 per cent, with two schools exceeding 60 per cent. Some parents indicated they did not wish to send their children to school due to Pride activities that may be taking place.
- Under pressure from farmers, Premier Doug Ford’s government reversed course on their housing plan, which would have allowed more housing to be built on Ontario’s farmland.
- Premier Doug Ford committed to covering one-third of billions of dollars in Stellantis subsidies, but the EV battery manufacturer did not confirm that a deal has been reached.
#ABPoli
- The United Conservative Party was elected for a second term in last week’s election, winning 49 of the 107 seats and 52.6 per cent of the popular vote. The NDP took the remaining 38 seats largely in urban areas, demonstrating a clear urban/rural division.
- No timeline has been set for the announcement of Danielle Smith’s new cabinet, but it is expected to be vastly different since some of the big names were not re-elected. These included Health Minister Jason Copping, Justice Minister Tyler Shandro and Deputy Premier Kaycee Madu.
#BCPoli
- The CEO of Fraser Health, Dr. Victoria Lee, defended the quality of hospital care in British Columbia’s largest health authority after several letters from doctors sounded the alarm over understaffing, underfunding and a lack of public transparency.
- The government of British Columbia increased its pressure on the Surrey City Council to choose a police force and end five years of uncertainty.
- Two residents of the Kelowna homeless encampment near the Okanagan Rail Trail decried the use of their shelter by politicians for polarizing tweets.
#ATLPoli
- Much-needed rain fell in Nova Scotia, but several fires remain out of control, according to the authorities.
- The Premier of New Brunswick, Blaine Higgs, has been under fire for his plan to review Policy 713, which sets minimum standards to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ students in schools.
- Equinor announced Wednesday it is shelving the Bay du Nord project for up to three years, citing “challenging market conditions.”
- PEI is preparing for its first post-Hurricane Fiona tourism season, eight months after the storm caused over $279 million in damage to the island.
