What We’re Watching
- The House of Commons is set to rise after this week for the summer. MPs are scheduled to sit again on September 18, 2023.
- Four federal byelections will be held today. All four seats are considered to be generally safe for the parties who most recently held them.
- Leader of the Conservative Party Pierre Poilievre has called on the Minister of Public Safety, Marco Mendicino, to resign. This comes in the wake of the alleged mishandling of convicted murderer Paul Bernardo’s high-profile prison transfer.
- The Parliamentary Budget Officer, Yves Giroux, estimated that the new Volkswagen electricity battery plant planned for St. Thomas, Ontario, would cost the federal government over $16 billion. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland is disputing the report, claiming that the PBO made an incorrect assumption.
- Bell announced that it is cutting 1,300 positions, shutting down or selling nine radio stations and closing two foreign bureaus. The company stated that the changes are part of plans to adapt to how it delivers the news in the face of financial pressure.
In the House
- Bill C-33, the Strengthening the Port System and Railway Safety in Canada Act, is currently at second reading.
- Bill C-35, the Canada Early Learning and Childcare Act, is currently at third reading.
- Bill C-244, An Act to Amend the Copyright Act (diagnosis, maintenance and repair), is currently at third reading.
- Bill C-252, An Act to Amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children), is currently at third reading.
- Bill C-26, An Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential changes to other Acts, is currently being considered in committee.
- Bill C-40, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, is currently at second reading.
- Bill S-8, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, is currently at report stage.
- Bill C-18, An Act respecting online communications platforms, is currently at consideration in the House of Commons of amendments made by the Senate.
Committee Updates
- CIIT will discuss Canadian mining firms abroad today.
- CIMM will discuss an exploitation scheme targeting certain international students later today.
- CACN will meet today to discuss Canada-People’s Republic of China Relations.
- ENVI will meet today to discuss clean technologies in Canada.
- FINA will meet tomorrow to discuss pre-budget consultations in advance of the 2024 Budget.
In the Senate
- Bill C-13, An Act to Amend the Official Languages Act, is currently at third reading.
- Bill C-47, the Budget Implementation Act, is currently at third reading.
Committee Updates
- RIDR will meet today to examine such issues as may arise from time to time relating to human rights generally.
- AOVS will meet to supervise and report on the Senate’s internal and external audits and related matters on Wednesday.
ICYMI
- On Thursday, Minister Wilkinson and Minister O’Regan tabled the government’s Sustainable Jobs Bill. The bill outlines the government’s plan for jobs in the energy sector alongside the green transition. Premier Smith claimed that the plan is a threat to Alberta’s oil and gas industry.
- The Supreme Court of Canada ruled unanimously on Friday that the Safe Third Country Agreement is constitutional. The pact with the United States, which came into effect in 2004, seeks to control the flow of asylum seekers across the shared border.
- Prime Minister Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Freeland visited Kyiv, Ukraine last weekend. The prime minister met with President Zelenskyy to reaffirm Canada’s ongoing solidarity and support for Ukraine in the wake of escalating strikes on civilian targets. The prime minister also announced additional measures and investments to continue supporting Ukraine, including an increase of $500 million in military assistance.
- Prime Minister Trudeau spoke with President Biden last week to discuss the current wildfire situation and the resulting impact on air quality in both Canada and the northeastern United States. The leaders acknowledged the need to continue to work together to address the impacts of climate change.
Provincial Updates
#ONPoli
- Mayor of Markham Frank Scarpitti called for the consolidation of the 10 municipal governments of York Region into one city, stating that it would result in significant savings and a streamlining of governance. Premier Ford shut down the idea.
- Ontario Liberal leadership candidate and Mayor of Mississauga Bonnie Crombie is facing backlash following a comment made about the Greenbelt, stating that there could be a situation in which she would be open to swapping out protected land. She has since restated that her campaign is 100 per cent committed to the Greenbelt.
- Ontario is expanding the ‘strong mayor’ powers to 26 additional cities across the province, including Oakville, Hamilton, London and Kitchener. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark stated that the move is intended to help the regions build the 1.5 million homes promised by 2031.
#ABPoli
- Premier Smith tweeted on Wednesday that she had been temporarily suspended from posting on Facebook, claiming that “big tech and government censorship” were to blame. Meta claimed on Thursday that Premier Smith had not been banned from the platform.
- Following the tabling of the federal government’s Sustainable Jobs Bill on Thursday, Alberta stated that it wants guaranteed seats on the proposed sustainable jobs partnership council due to the outsized effect the legislation would have on the province.
#BCPoli
- Premier Eby announced that B.C. Hydro will begin its hunt for independent power producers to sell electricity for the first time in 15 years. The province is planning to need enough new power to run 270,000 homes by 2028.
#ATLPoli
- Premier of Nova Scotia Tim Houston stated that the federal government should pay entirely to protect the land link between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick from climate change-related flooding. Minister LeBlanc has encouraged both provinces to apply for funding for up to half of the potential $301 million cost.
- Nova Scotia announced new funding of $3.2 million for mental health and addiction support. Addictions and Mental Health Minister Brian Comer stated that eight new integrated youth services sites will bring community-based services for youth under one roof.
- New Brunswick Social Development Minister Dorthy Shephard resigned Thursday from cabinet following disagreements with changes to the province’s LGBTQ policy in schools. Premier Higgs says he welcomes a leadership review following the dissent in his party, leading to the possibility of a snap election.
