For Whom the Bell Tolls | Your Look Ahead from Summa Strategies
Your Look Ahead from Summa Strategies
- 5 minute read
The Latest
Top stories driving the news this week.
- New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh said if the government does not deliver on pharmacare legislation by March 1, they might turn their back on the parties’ agreement. Health Minister Mark Holland said Sunday he had “every confidence” the government can meet that deadline.
- Parliamentary hearings related to ArriveCan and contracting misconduct allegations were suddenly suspended by Liberal, Bloc Québécois and NDP MPs on Wednesday, after reading what one Liberal described as a “scary” secret preliminary report by a federal investigator.
- Pierre Poilievre soft launched a number of pre-election policies with a commitment to crack down on auto thefts, and to revoke the MAiD expansion entirely.
- Justice Minister Arif Virani said Sunday the government would be open to tougher penalties on auto thefts.
- Significant layoffs were announced late last week by Bell Media, which reduced their workforce by 10%. The cuts impacted a number of outlets and journalists across Canada, and will see the sale of 40+ radio properties owned by the company.
- Canada will host His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan this upcoming Wednesday, February 14th. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is the primary topic on the agenda.
In the House
Key Green Chamber business set to play out.
- Bill C-59, the Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, is currently at second reading. Senate pre-study of the bill began last Wednesday.
- Bill C-26, the Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts, is being considered at SECU committee.
- 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, sits at second reading in the House of Commons..
- Bill C-57, the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, awaits second reading in the Senate.
Committee Updates
- INDU will meet today to discuss Bill C-27, the Digital Charter Implementation Act.
- SECU will meet today to discuss Bill C-26, the Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts.
- NDDN will meet today to discuss transparency within the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. Minister Blair will appear..
- PACP will meet today to hear from the Auditor General on the first report related to ArriveCan.
- INAN will meet today to discuss improving graduation rates and successful outcomes for Indigenous students.
- FINA will meet tomorrow to discuss policy decisions and market forces that have led to increases in the cost of buying or renting a home in Canada.
- TRAN will meet tomorrow to discuss projects of high frequency rail.
- AGRI will meet tomorrow to discuss efforts to stabilize food prices.
In the Senate
Stay informed on events in the Upper Chamber.
- Bill C-241, the Act to amend the Income Tax Act (deduction of travel expenses for tradespersons), awaits third reading.
- Bill C-244, An Act to amend the Copyright Act (diagnosis, maintenance and repair), awaits second reading. The Senate debated Bill C-244 for the first time last week.
- Bill C-294, An Act to amend the Copyright Act (interoperability), awaits second reading.
Committee Updates
- NFFN will meet tomorrow to discuss Bill C-59, the Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023, as part of the Senate’s pre-study of the bill initiated last week.
- TRCM will meet tomorrow to study the impacts of climate change on critical infrastructure in the transportation and communications sectors and the consequential impacts on their interdependencies.
- AEFA will meet on Thursday to study foreign relations and international trade generally.
In Case You Missed It
Your crib notes for last week’s top stories.
- The Government hosted the National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft on Thursday which brought together provincial, territorial and municipal government officials, industry leaders, and law enforcement representatives from across the country.
- Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announced a $99 million national top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit.
- A recent poll showed that the majority of Canadians still support the federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act to shut down the so-called “Freedom Convoy” protests in early 2022.
- Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussen announced $24.5 million in funding for the International Youth Internship Program for youth living in Canada to gain experience abroad.
Provincial Updates
A look at the top news across the country.
What We’re Watching
Find out what issues Summa consultants are tracking and why they matter.
Showing a little (policy) leg – Pierre Poilievre is starting to show Canadians what a Conservative government might prioritize. At announcements outside of Ottawa, the Conservative Leader promised stiffer penalties for car thieves, tackling Canada’s freedom of information system, and allowing First Nations to collect tax from industry. But with an election not expected for many months, will Canadians keep tabs on these promises?
Following lengthy videos on Canada’s opioid and housing crises, these announcements show the Conservatives are moving away from catchy slogans to more detailed policy solutions. In doing so, Poilievre seems content to have the next election be a choice between contrasting visions for Canada, rather than a referendum on Prime Minister Trudeau.
(Pharma)Care Bear Countdown? – NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has threatened “consequences” if the Prime Minister does not deliver on his promise to introduce legislation to establish a national pharmacare program by March 1st. Failure to meet that deadline could put the supply and confidence agreement at risk, creating greater uncertainty for this minority government.
The NDP’s expectation is for new legislation to outline the principles of pharmacare and to start covering some drugs under this program by 2025. The NDP has also asked the Liberals to fast-track coverage of some drugs for conditions like diabetes as it works on the legislation. Thus far, it sounds like there’s a delta between what the NDP wants to see and what the Liberals are prepared to deliver.
Despite Singh’s tough words, NDP health critic Don Davies has stated that negotiations with the government have been productive, and that “we’re quite close, actually, on coming to legislation that meets both of our needs.” Health Minister Mark Holland has also stated that he has “every confidence” his government can deliver pharmacare legislation by the promised March 1 deadline. This is a major moment and deadline for Parliament watchers to pay attention to.
ArriveCan’t? – Auditor General Karen Hogan will table her audit report on ArriveCan today. It will shed light on the procurement process and how a project initially estimated to cost $80,000 ends up costing Canadians $54 million.
Several reports have already highlighted issues on distributed governance, inadequate risk management, overly optimistic estimates, and the absence of change management when it comes to IT projects. Will this report be more of the same, or will its findings raise more questions about this procurement and others? Today’s Public Accounts meeting will answer the question.
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