Fall Flip Flops

4 minute read

What We’re Watching

  • Politicians and pundits continue to react to the carbon tax exemption announced on Thursday. The government will continue to face questions from premiers, the opposition, environmentalists, and taxpayers alike. 
  • Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly will deliver remarks at two events this week as Canada maintains tumultuous relations with several countries and walks a thin diplomatic line on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
  • Unifor announced that it had reached a tentative agreement with the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. during negotiations to end a strike that began Oct. 22. Meanwhile, more than 400,000 public sector workers in Quebec are moving closer to one.

In the House 

  • Bill C-27, the Digital Charter Implementation Act, is being considered at INDU committee, with officials and the Privacy Commissioner appearing as witnesses. 
  • Bill C-34, the National Security Review of Investments Modernization Act, is at the report stage and is up for debate on Monday and Wednesday. 
  • Bill C-52, the Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in the Transportation System Act, awaits second reading.
  • Bill C-56, the Affordable Housing and Groceries Act, awaits second reading.

Committee Updates 

  • SRSR will meet today to discuss the long-term impacts of pay gaps experienced by different genders and equity-seeking groups among faculty at Canadian universities.
  • FINA will meet today and hear from the Governor of the Bank of Canada on Canada’s monetary policy and the cost of buying or renting a home.
  • HUMA will hear from Romy Bowers, the outgoing president and chief executive officer of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.  
  • TRAN will meet today to discuss Bill C-33, the Strengthening the Port System and Railway Safety in Canada Act. 
  • AGRI will meet today to discuss efforts to stabilize food prices.  
  • OGGO will meet tomorrow to discuss the ArriveCAN application. 
  • INDU will meet tomorrow and on Thursday to discuss Bill C-27, the Digital Charter Implementation Act.

In the Senate

  • Bill C-241, the Act to amend the Income Tax Act (deduction of travel expenses for tradespersons), is being considered in committee. 
  • Bill C-244, the Act to amend the Copyright Act, awaits second reading.
  • Bill C-252, the Child Health Protection Act, awaits second reading.
  • Bill S-254, the Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (warning label on alcoholic beverages), is being considered in committee.

Committee Updates 

  • OLLO will meet today to hear from Anita Anand, the president of the Treasury Board, and Randy Booissonnault, the minister of employment, workforce development and official languages.
  • TRCM will meet tomorrow to discuss the impacts of climate change on critical infrastructure in the transportation and communications sectors.

ICYMI 

  • The government announced that it is doubling the pollution price rebate rural top-up rate, increasing it from 10 to 20 per cent. The government is also temporarily pausing the federal fuel charge on heating oil deliveries in all jurisdictions where the federal fuel charge is in effect.
  • Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland spoke of fiscal responsibility ahead of the Fall Economic Statement
  • The Bank of Canada maintained the benchmark interest rate at 5 per cent but warned that more increases are possible. 
  • The UN adopted a resolution calling for an immediate and sustained humanitarian truce between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in Gaza. At the same time, Canada failed to add an amendment to condemn Hamas’ attacks and abstained from voting on the resolution. 

Provincial Updates

#ONPoli 

  • Housing Minister Paul Calandra is expected to introduce legislation to wind back the provincial expansions to the urban boundaries for several municipalities.
  • Ontario is allegedly open to uploading the costs of the Don Valley Parkway and Gardiner Expressway to help the City of Toronto, which is facing a $1-billion deficit and significant financial pressures.
  • The Ontario Progressive Conservative party has announced that Rob Elliott will be their candidate for the upcoming Kitchener Centre by-election.
  • The Ontario Liberal Party held its third leadership race debate in Toronto last week. Members will head to the polls on November 25th and 26th, with the results being released on December 2nd.
  • Finance Minister Peter Bethlanfalvy will release the government’s fall fiscal update on Thursday.

#ABPoli 

  • Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said she will meet with her provincial and territorial counterparts to discuss Alberta’s proposal to pull the province out of the Canada Pension Plan.
  • Alberta’s UCP and NDP are accusing the federal government of unbalanced treatment of provinces after scaling back its carbon pricing strategy to the benefit of Atlantic Canada.
  • Alberta’s media campaign, “Tell the Feds,” is in full force in several jurisdictions as Alberta’s power grid is now a political fight between the federal and provincial governments.

#BCPoli

  • Rodney Hodgins, a B.C. man who uses a wheelchair, said Air Canada dehumanized him after the airline failed to provide the assistance required for him to exit the plane safely.
  • Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, and George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, said they were surprised by the federal announcement on carbon tax exemption for home heating oil.

#ATLPoli

  • The New Brunswick throne speech passed on Friday, but it did not quash the rumours of a provincial election. 
  • Premier Tim Houston may have to backtrack on its “better paycheque guarantee” election promise as priorities for Nova Scotians have shifted. 
  • Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre held a rally in St. John’s, Newfoundland, as part of his “Axe the Tax” Atlantic tour.

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