What We’re Watching
- Manitobans are voting on Tuesday for their next Premier. Many of them took advantage of the advance polls in what may be a change election in the province. The governing Progressive Conservative’s COVID-19 response seems to be at least partially fuelling the appetite for change, to the benefit of the opposition the New Democratic Party led by Wab Kinew.
- The territorial election in the Northwest Territories, initially scheduled for this week, was postponed due to a summer filled with wildfires and evacuations, making campaigning near impossible. The new date is November 14. The incumbent premier has already indicated she will not seek reelection, and the nineteen members of the chamber all sit as independents, not affiliated with political parties.
- Several MPs have expressed interest in replacing the Speaker of the House, following the resignation of Anthony Rota last week. That election will be held on Tuesday. House Leaders agreed to continue sitting with an interim Speaker and a few deputies until the vote is held.
- Jean-Talon voters in Québec will elect their next MNA on Tuesday. It’s the first time the Coalition Avenir Québec has to defend a seat in a by-election while the party is dropping in the polls in that part of the province.
- Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne will participate in Canada’s Competition Summit on Thursday after meeting with grocers and other food industry representatives in an attempt to stabilize food prices. The government has told industry to have a plan prepared for Thanksgiving that would look to curb food inflation heading into the holidays.
- The Standing Committee on National Defence continues to hear from witnesses in its review of the impact of Canada’s procurement process on the Canadian Armed Forces. This comes as officials have confirmed there may be as much as a $1B cut to defence spending on the horizon.
In the House
- Bill C-49, the Act to amend the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act, awaits second reading.
- Bill C-56, the Affordable Housing and Groceries Act, awaits second reading.
- Bill C-244, the Act to amend the Copyright Act, awaits third reading.
Committee Updates
- NDDN will meet on Tuesday to review the impact of Canada’s procurement process on the Canadian Armed Forces.
- INDU will hear from the Parliamentary Budget Officer on Tuesday on the break-even analysis of production subsidies for Stellantis-LGES and Volkswagen.
- ETHI will meet on Wednesday in camera to discuss foreign interference.
- HUMA will meet on Wednesday to discuss the financialization of housing.
- TRAN will hear from Sean Fraser, the minister of housing, infrastructure and communities on Wednesday on his mandate letter.
- PACP will meet on Thursday to discuss Report 2, Connectivity in Rural and Remote Areas.
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.
- Bill C-294, an Act to amend the Copyright Act (interoperability), awaits second reading.
ICYMI
- This weekend was the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Politicians, communities, and nations reflected on the significance of this national day all across the country in various events.
- The Federal and Québec governments jointly announced up to $7 billion in support of Northvolt’s battery factory in Saint-Basile-le-Grand and McMasterville, about 30 kilometres east of Montreal.
- Speaker of the House Anthony Rota resigned on Tuesday after facing increasing calls to resign for honouring a man who was a member of a Nazi SS unit during the Second World War. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized for the embarrassment the incident caused on Wednesday.
- The federal government has unveiled a voluntary code of conduct for using advanced generative artificial intelligence. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne further said during a committee appearance last week that Bill C-27 would promote the safe development of AI systems in Canada.
Provincial Updates
#ONPoli
- Premier Doug Ford’s approval ratings have taken a significant hit following the release of two bombshell Greenbelt reports, and the departure of three ministers in the last two months.
- Ontario’s public high school teachers have agreed not to strike this year as they attempt to settle any unresolved contract bargaining issues through an arbitrator.
- Adil Shamji dropped out of the race for Ontario Liberal leader and gave his support to presumed front-runner Bonnie Crombie.
- Ontario’s minimum wage increased on Sunday from $15.50 per hour to $16.55 per hour, marking an increase of 6.8 per cent.
#ABPoli
- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is preparing a Sovereignty Act motion to push back against Ottawa’s planned emissions reductions after the operators of the province’s power grid warned that new federal electricity regulations could lead to blackouts.
- The City of Calgary charged a catering company and school lunch delivery service provider responsible for an E. coli outbreak affecting several daycares.
- Premier Danielle Smith has come to the defence of Environment and Protected Areas Minister Rebecca Schulz over suggestions of a possible conflict of interest. Provincial records show that her husband, a partner in the firm Garrison Strategies, may be lobbying in areas that overlap with her ministry.
#BCPoli
- The legislature returns on Tuesday with four officially recognized parties after Abbotsford-South MLA Bruce Banman left the BC United Caucus to join the Conservatives. This defection qualified the Conservatives for official status.
- A new poll suggests 48 per cent support for the governing BC NDP while BC United and the BC Conservatives are virtually tied.
#ATLPoli
- Nova Scotia Finance and Treasury Board Minister Allan MacMaster presented a budget update on Thursday. The government is forecasting a deficit of $402.7 million for the 2023-24 fiscal year, a $123.8 million increase from the $278.9 million deficit presented in March.
- New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs refused to rule out a fall snap election. With a year left before the next scheduled election, recent polling has put vote intentions for the Liberals and PCs within the margin of error.
- Newfoundland and Labrador’s premier apologized on Friday to residential school survivors in southern Labrador to mark this year’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
