The Weekly Roundup - June 26, 2023
As Albertans await the start of Stampede and the Edmonton version of a Royal wedding, the House of Commons has risen for summer recess. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has concluded a short visit to Iceland as an invited guest of the Nordic leaders where the evolving situation in Russia was top of mind.
Today Torontonians cast their ballot for their new mayor, and it certainly looks to be former NDP MP Olivia Chow’s race to lose. You can listen to New West’s Manager Director, Federal & Ontario in a 660 Radio Interview with Toronto Star columnist Ed Keenan, or tune in to his appearance on the Global News panel tonight at 8 p.m. EST, covering election results as they roll in.
Below, you’ll find the other top federal and provincial stories of the week.
Top Federal Stories of the Week
The rumour mill is anticipating that a cabinet shuffle will come later this summer as the Liberal government looks to push reset on some blunders made by cabinet ministers, in large part due to an apparent lack of reading the files that is rampant throughout government.
With work ongoing between the governing Liberals and the opposition parties to negotiate the terms of a public inquiry into foreign interference, look to June 30th as a possible date to announce a deal has been reached. The Friday before a long weekend is the traditional dumping ground for news the governing party of the day wishes to announce without much attention or fanfare, and allegations of foreign interference is certainly a story the Liberals are wishing away.
Top Alberta Stories of the Week
The Premier will give a keynote address to the Calgary business crowd at a Calgary Chamber of Commerce lunch on Thursday, outlining her vision for the Alberta economy. The speech will give her a chance to outline a positive economic message outside of campaign attack mode.
Less than a month removed from the election, there are hints of the issues that the UCP and NDP will make a focus for the fall legislative agenda. With housing prices climbing rapidly in Calgary and young people nationwide citing housing affordability as a top issue, you can look to both parties to put forward some policy (or point fingers to other levels of government) on the topic. As New West’s CEO Monte Solberg pointed out in an op-ed this week, climate change is another topic where the governing UCP have a change to be at the table and create credible conservative policy on the subject.
NDP Leader Rachel Notley is putting the finishing touches on her shadow cabinet, and has indicated it will feature a housing critic, multiple health critics and recognize the impact and importance of fighting climate change. She hinted that the full roster of critics will be announced in full later this week.
Dr. John Cowell has had his work as official administrator of Alberta Health Services extended to the end of 2023 from his original appointment in November 2022. He is tasked with continuing implementation of the UCP’s Health Care Action Plan, a key focus of Premier Smith’s government and recent campaign platform.
Upcoming Events Calendar
July 24, 2023: Byelection will be held in the former riding of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Calgary Heritage.
September 18, 2023: House of Commons resumes sitting after summer break
October 30, 2023: Alberta Speech from the Throne and start of fall session
November 3-4, 2023: UCP Annual General Meeting