Come on Down, You’re the Next Announcement
Your Look Ahead from Summa Strategies
- 7 minute read
The Latest
Top stories driving the news this week.
- 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.
In the House
Key Green Chamber business set to play out.
- 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.
In the Senate
Stay informed on events in the Upper Chamber.
- 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.
In Case You Missed It
Your crib notes for last week’s top stories.
- 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.
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.
Subscribe to our mailing list.
Want to receive an update like this one every Monday that the House sits? Our Look Ahead will keep you in the know.