Come on Down, You’re the Next Announcement
Your Look Ahead from Summa Strategies
- 7 minute read
- Canada and other G7 countries strongly condemned Iran’s attack on Israel. They warned the assault risks escalating tensions in a region already embroiled in the six-month-long war between Israel and Hamas.
- The Bank of Canada held its key interest rate at five per cent for the sixth consecutive time since July, saying it will look for signs that slowing inflation is sustained before moving on rate cuts.
- NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh suggested last Thursday in a speech at the Broadbent Institute’s annual policy conference in Ottawa that the NDP no longer believes a consumer carbon price is necessary to fight climate change.
- David Vigneault, head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), testified for a second time before a federal inquiry into foreign election interference. He said CSIS knows China clandestinely and deceptively interfered in both the 2019 and 2021 general elections.
- The federalLiberals unveiled Canada’s Housing Plan. It built on recent announcements with new tax incentives, more than a billion dollars to end homelessness, and a country-wide effort to build more housing on public lands.
- Last Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Defence Minister Bill Blair released Our North, Strong and Free. While the Defence Policy Update commits $7.9 billion in new spending on the Canadian Armed Forces over the next five years, Canada will still fall short of meeting NATO defence targets.
- The federal government has used artificial intelligence in nearly 300 projects and initiatives, including to help predict the outcome of tax cases, sort temporary visa applications and promote diversity in hiring. The proposed Digital Charter, currently before committee, could become more onerous for use by the public service.
- Budget 2024 will be tabled on Tuesday at 4 pm, with debate expected to start on Thursday.
- Bill C-50, the Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act, completed the report stage and will commence debate at the third reading today.
- Bill C-64, the Pharmacare Act, awaits the second reading, with debates expected to start on Tuesday.
- Bill C-61, the First Nations Clean Water Act, awaits the second reading and is expected to be debated on Wednesday.
- Bill C-29, the National Council for Reconciliation Act, is considering the Senate’s amendments and should continue debates on Friday.
Committee Updates
- INDU will meet today to discuss Bill C-27, the Digital Charter Implementation Act.
- NDDN will meet today to discuss the Defence Policy Update, with the Minister of Defence Bill Blair expected to testify.
- CACN will meet today to discuss Canada–People’s Republic of China Relations, with the Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc expected to testify.
- FINA will meet on Thursday to discuss Bill C-59, the Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act of 2023.
- S-16, the Haida Nation Recognition Act, awaits the third reading.
- S-17, the Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act of 2023, awaits the second reading.
- C-241, an Act to amend the Income Tax Act (deduction of travel expenses for tradespersons), awaits the third reading.
- C-294, an Act to amend the Copyright Act (interoperability), awaits the second reading.
Committee Updates
- SECD will meet today to examine and report on issues relating to national security and defence.
- OLLO will meet today to study matters relating to minority-language health services.
- NFFN will meet tomorrow for supplementary Estimates (C) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024 and on Wednesday for the main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025.
- TRCM will meet tomorrow to study the impacts of climate change on critical infrastructure in the transportation and communications sectors, as well as undergo consideration of a draft agenda (future business).
- AGFO will meet tomorrow and on Thursday to examine and report on issues relating to agriculture and forestry.
- AEFA will meet on Wednesday and Thursday to examine and report on Canada’s interests and engagement in Africa.
- Canada will offer an additional evacuation flight out of Haiti this weekdue to a spike in the number of requests to flee the Caribbean country that poured in just as Canada was set to wind down its efforts, the federal government said last week.
- Ahmed Hussen, the minister of international development, announced $132.2 million in international assistance funding. It included $100.7 million in humanitarian assistance funding and $31.5 million in development assistance funding to address urgent needs in Sudan and its neighbouring countries.
- A Conservative motion adopted on Wednesday calls on the prime minister to convene a carbon tax emergency meeting with Canada’s 13 provincial and territorial leaders. It’s goal is to address the ongoing carbon tax crisis and the financial burden it places on Canadians.
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues to face resistance from the Conservative opposition and premiers ahead of the budget. In a letter to the prime minister released last week, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre outlined his critique on housing, carbon tax, and the economy.
Provincial Updates
A look at the top news across the country.
- The largest police union in Canada, representing more than 20,000 RCMP officers, is accusing B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth of “misleading” statements. They are demanding to know details of the transition plan that will see the Surrey Police Service replace the RCMP.
- A dozen municipal political parties in British Columbia, including those that won council majorities in Vancouver and Burnaby in 2022, are under investigation by Elections BC for possible financing or advertising violations.
- The B.C. government introduced legislation designed to hold public bodies accountable for addressing systemic racism in policy and programs. The province’s attorney general said the proposed law would require the development of a public action plan using data the government has collected on systemic racism.
- British Columbia is proposing legal changes that would allow the government to regulate the supply of electricity to cryptocurrency miners. Many are accused of consuming large amounts of electricity by constantly running high-powered computers, while creating very few jobs or economic opportunities.
- The Alberta government tabled the Provincial Priorities Act to prevent any direct agreements between the federal government and several entities without the government’s prior approval.
- The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation suspended all job action as discussions resumed at the bargaining table with the provincial government. Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill confirmed negotiations will resume next week.
- The Premier of Manitoba Wab Kinew announced their strategy to hire 100 new doctors this year as part of a broader plan to attract, hire, and retain a total of 1,000 healthcare professionals in Manitoba.
- Toronto’s chief financial officer, Stephen Conforti, is proposing to completely change the vacant home tax program and cancel the bills for the thousands of undeclared properties. Mayor Olivia Chow agrees with the overhaul, while some city councillors are asking for its abolition.
- About 700 TTC workers, including electricians, overhead line workers, and signal maintainers, could strike in two weeks if they remain without a contract.
- The Ontario government is facing corporate pressure to change Ontario’s recycling plan. Two organizations want Ontario’s blue box regulations amended as the industry faces a sharp rise in expenses under the transition.
- French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal revived the secularism debate during his visit to Quebec by stating that France shares the province’s commitment to religious non-affiliation. Earlier this week, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) voted in favour of asking the Supreme Court to rule on Bill 21.
- Quebec Premier François Legault urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to act on immigration matters, or else the province could hold a referendum on immigration powers. The Parti Quebecois was quick to support the government and propose its own solution to the issue.
- Quebec Premier François Legault asked for the parents’ cooperation in limiting the time kids spend online. A reframing that came days after Social Services Minister Lionel Carmant suggested the government could legislate the use of screens by young people and families.
- Nova Scotia Teachers Union said 98% of members voted in favour of strike action ahead of talks with the provincial government and a conciliator next week.
- New Brunswick issued 146,000 fewer $300 affordability cheques to people than it expected, adding $44 million to last year’s budget surplus. Several people did not apply for the money, and the opposition is asking for quick remediation.
- A fund of $25 million for new long-term care beds in Prince Edward Island triggered heated debates amongst the MLAs seeking added accountability.
What We're Watching
Find out what issues Summa consultants are tracking and why they matter.
Almost 2% – The long-awaited Defence Policy Update (DPU) was released last week. It comes at a time of geopolitical uncertainty, with Russia’s war full-scale invasion of Ukraine and deepening partnerships between Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
New spending measures are expected to be outlined in Tuesday’s budget but even with billions more in funding to Canada will still fall short of meeting NATO defence targets.
It remains to be seen whether the changes will ensure the Canadian Armed Forces has the resources needed to keep Canadians safe and contribute to global operations or reinvigorate a military currently said to be in a “death spiral.”
Where’s the money tree? – The great budget roadshow has been making headlines for weeks. There’s been billions of dollars in new spending announced for things like housing, defence and mental health.
With the spending taps turned on, it begs the question – Where is all of this money going to come from?
While the Prime Minister committed to not raising taxes on the middle class, his finance minister refuses to rule out a wealth tax. Many Canadians remain hopeful that Budget 2024 will include a plan to at least begin to tackle the deficit. We will have to keep watching to see if corporate Canada or large grocers will be stuck footing the bill for Liberal’s latest spending spree.
Trudeau’s Hail Mary – As opposition parties wait with bated breath for Tuesday’s budget and prepare their rebukes, it’s important to remember that the devil is always in the details.
This is likely the last budget that will include legislative policy that could be fully enacted before the next election. That means this budget may include results-focused policy items that the Liberals want to see in advance of the 2025 election.
Opposition parties should be on the lookout for wedge style politics, designed to trip them up and make them think twice about voting against budget measures.
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