What We’re Watching
- COP 28 will take place in Dubai on Thursday. Canada and the United Arab Emirates are oil-producing countries likely in the crosshairs of environmental groups asking for increased climate action.
- The government is expected to introduce legislation for the adoption of the Fall Economic Statement.
- As part of the supply and confidence agreement, legislation on pharmacare is expected to be introduced before 2024. However, NDP sources have signalled that they may be open to waiving the end-of-year deadline.
- The Alberta government intends to use the Sovereignty Act to declare Ottawa’s plan to slash grid emissions an unconstitutional federal measure and spell out ways the regulations would not be enforced in Alberta.
- Catherine Luelo, the federal government’s Chief Information Officer, has tendered her resignation as the federal government continues to struggle to digitize its services to its employees and the population.
In the House
- Bill C-27, the Digital Charter Implementation Act, is being considered at INDU committee.
- Bill C-49, the Act to amend the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act, is being considered at RNNR committee.
- 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, is being considered at FINA committee on an accelerated schedule, given the adoption of Motion 30.
- Bill C-57, the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, is being considered at CIIT committee.
Committee Updates
- LANG will meet today to discuss the increased Francophone immigration to Canada.
- TRAN will meet today for clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-33.
- INAN will meet tomorrow and Thursday to discuss Bill C-53, an act respecting the recognition of certain Métis governments.
- INDU will meet tomorrow to discuss Bill C-27, the Digital Charter Implementation Act.
- OGGO will meet tomorrow to discuss the supplementary estimates with senior officials in IT procurement.
In the Senate
- Bill C-34, the National Security Review of Investments Modernization Act, awaits second reading.
- Bill C-241, the Act to amend the Income Tax Act (deduction of travel expenses for tradespersons) is being considered at LCJC committee.
- Bill S-244, the Act to amend the Department of Employment and Social Development Act and the Employment Insurance Act, is being considered at SOCI committee.
- Bill C-252, the Child Health Protection Act, is being considered at SOCI committee.
- Bill S-254, the Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (warning label on alcoholic beverages), is being considered at SOCI committee.
- Bill C-294, the Act to amend the Copyright Act (interoperability), awaits second reading.
- Bill C-244, An Act to amend the Copyright Act (diagnosis, maintenance and repair), awaits second reading.
Committee Updates
- REGS will hear from Minister of National Defence Bill Blair today on statutory instruments.
- NFFN will meet tomorrow and Wednesday to discuss Bill C-241, the Act to amend the Income Tax Act (deduction of travel expenses for tradespersons), and will hear from MP Chris Lewis, who sponsors the bill.
- SOCI will meet on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss Bill S-244, the Act to amend the Department of Employment and Social Development Act and the Employment Insurance Act.
- TRCM will meet tomorrow and Wednesday to discuss the impacts of climate change on critical infrastructure in the transportation and communications sectors.
ICYMI
- Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland tabled the Fall Economic Statement on Tuesday. Read our analysis here.
- The closure motion of Bill C-56, the Affordable Housing and Groceries Act, was adopted last Thursday, and will accelerate the passage of the bill.
- The Canada-European Union summit concluded on Friday, resulting in agreements on green energy and another $60M in military aid to Ukraine.
- The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) is free-falling in the polls to the benefit of the Parti Québécois (PQ).
- Emilise Lessard-Therrien became the new co-spokeswoman of Québec Solidaire, and Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois kept his co-spokesman role with 90.1 per cent of delegates supporting him.
- 570,000 public workers were on strike in Quebec as negotiations continued over the weekend.
Provincial Updates
#ONPoli
- Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced that a tentative agreement had been reached with the Elementary Teacher’s Federation of Ontario (ETFO), which represents more than 80,000 elementary teachers and occasional teachers.
- The Doug Ford government avoided answering questions about hundreds of foreign workers being brought in to build a battery plant in Windsor, Ont., and instead placed the responsibility on the federal government.
- The Ontario NDP introduced a motion to provide coverage for birth control under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
- Ontario Liberal members voted this weekend for their next leader. The results will be revealed on December 2nd.
#ABPoli
- The Alberta government intends to use the Sovereignty Act to declare Ottawa’s plan to slash grid emissions an unconstitutional federal measure and spell out ways the regulations would not be enforced in Alberta.
- The Alberta government won’t confirm if it will meet with citizens face-to-face in December to discuss plans to withdraw from the Canada Pension Plan.
- Premier Danielle Smith said the 3-cents-per-litre provincial gas tax on gasoline, diesel and propane would return in January if the price of oil remains stable.
- Richard Sutton, a professor at the University of Alberta and an AI expert is launching a new non-profit lab with $4.8M in funding from Huawei Canada, despite concerns raised by the federal government.
#BCPoli
- The B.C. government is proposing new employment standards for gig workers with ride-hailing and food delivery apps, including a minimum wage, tip protection and workers’ compensation coverage.
- Finance Minister Katrine Conroy and Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon announced the expansion of the speculation tax to 13 new municipalities to increase the housing supply.
#ATLPoli
- Newfoundland and Labrador hosted the Canada-EU summit where the province could benefit from investments in green technology.
- New Brunswick Social Development Minister Jill Green announced affordability measures for low-income people.
- The Nova Scotia government paused the development of wind farms within provincial jurisdiction until the framework for jointly managed offshore areas is in place.
- PEI Finance Minister Jill Burridge tabled the capital budget on Tuesday with a focus on housing.
