What We’re Watching
- The Prime Minister welcomed the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to Ottawa last Friday, reaffirming Canada’s ongoing solidarity and support for Ukraine. The leaders signed agreements committing Canada to provide multi-year assistance including new military, economic, peace and security, development assistance, and investments for Ukraine.
- In a media scrum last Friday, British Columbia Premier David Eby said that he “strongly” suspects the federal government is holding back information that could help the province protect its residents with connections to India from foreign interference.
- A third-party report released last Thursday concluded Alberta would be entitled to more than half the assets of the Canadian Pension Plan if it were to exit the program.
In the House
- Bill C-26, the Act respecting cyber security, is being considered at committee.
- Bill C-27, the Digital Charter Implementation Act, is being considered at committee.
- Bill C-48, the Act to amend the Criminal Code (bail reform), is currently at second reading.
- Bill C-49, the Act to amend the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act, is currently at second reading.
- Bill C-52, the Air Transportation Accountability Act, is currently at second reading.
- Bill C-56, the Act to amend the Excise Tax Act and the Competition Act, is currently at second reading.
- Bill C-244, the Act to amend the Copyright Act, is currently at third reading.
- Bill S-210, the Protecting Young Persons from Exposure to Pornography Act, is currently at second reading.
- Bill C-252, the Child Health Protection Act, is currently at third reading.
- Bill C-321, the Act to amend the Criminal Code (assaults against health care professionals and first responders), is being considered at committee.
Committee Updates
- FINA will meet today to discuss Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2024 Budget.
- TRAN will meet today to discuss adapting infrastructure to face climate change.
- INDU will meet on Tuesday to begin its study of Bill C-27, the Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022. Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne will be in attendance.
- HUMA will meet on Wednesday. Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Sean Fraser will be in attendance.
- NDDN will meet on Thursday for its briefing on the mandate and priorities of the Minister of National Defence. Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Bill Blair will be in attendance.
- PROC tabled a report with committee membership changes for the Conservative Party.
- Committees continue to undertake meetings to set agenda items for the upcoming session.
In the Senate
- Bill C-241, the Act to amend the Income Tax Act (deduction of travel expenses for tradespersons), is being considered at committee.
- Bill S-254, the Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (warning label on alcoholic beverages), is being considered at committee.
ICYMI
- The Government of Canada has published its What We Heard Report on the Future of Canada’s Competition Policy Consultation. This report reflects key points that have helped inform the government’s next steps, including the amendments to the Competition Act.
- The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, announced that Canada will contribute $33 million to the United Kingdom-led partnership that is delivering high priority air defence equipment to Ukraine.
- The Prime Minister met with world leaders this week at the UN General Assembly, raising global issues including foreign interference, the importance of the rule of law, climate change, and progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Provincial Updates
#ONPoli
- Ontario MPPs will return to Queen’s Park on Monday, September 25th.
- Premier Doug Ford shuffled his cabinet for the second time in recent weeks after Ontario Labour Minister Monte McNaughton announced Friday he is stepping away from politics to take a role in the private sector. In a release hours after McNaughton announced his departure, Ford named his new appointments.
- Premier Doug Ford announced the reversal of his plan to open the protected Greenbelt lands for housing development on Thursday.
- MPP Kaleed Rasheed and Labour Minister Monte McNaughton resigned from cabinet and the Ontario Progressive Conservative caucus this week.
#ABPoli
- Premier Danielle Smith is set to release a report that could lead to a vote on the benefits and drawbacks of quitting the Canada Pension Plan.
#BCPoli
- B.C. Premier David Eby raised concerns at a media scrum on Friday that Ottawa is holding back information about foreign interference related to residents with connections to India.
- Coastal GasLink (CGL) has been fined $346,000 for erosion and sediment control issues in the construction of the natural gas pipeline in northern B.C. and for providing false information in inspection records.
#ATLPoli
- Atlantic Liberal caucus called a briefing to condemn PCs over their response to Bill C-49, which amends separate offshore accords between Canada and Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. Bill C-49 would allow joint provincial-federal offshore petroleum boards to oversee development of offshore wind projects.
- Premier Tim Houston announced Thursday that Nova Scotia will remove the provincial portion of the harmonized sales tax from the construction of new rental apartment buildings.
