The Weekly Roundup - October 19, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden will deliver an Oval Office address tonight as the world watches the unfolding conflicts in both Israel and Ukraine. Canada has largely been left to a position of observation on the Israel-Hamas war, with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, President Biden and Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly having visited Israel this week. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly are having to answer for hurried statements on the conflict, as a rush to comment in an age of online misinformation has led to dissatisfaction from Canadian Jewish organizations.
Below, you’ll find the other top federal and provincial stories of the week.
Top Federal Stories of the Week
There was an unexpected bit of good news for the Canadian economy this week with Consumer Price Increase figures dropping to 3.8 per cent in September, down from 4 per cent in August. While still well off the Bank of Canada’s target of 2 per cent, a downward trend sets the stage for next week’s benchmark interest rate decision, set to be released on Wednesday. Consumers and governments both have been feeling the pinch of the highest key interest rate in over twenty years.
Canada has removed most of its diplomatic presence from India due to the threat of removal of diplomatic immunity for consular staff. The move is a further piece of fallout from Prime Minister Trudeau’s accusation of Indian government involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia earlier this year.
Coming out of the NDP’s policy convention over the weekend, there is a renewed sense of urgency from the party to get meaningful action on pharmacare as part of their supply and confidence agreement with the governing Liberals by the end of the year. The NDP’s Health Critic Don Davies has said that pharmacare is “a principle we’re fighting for.”
Top Alberta Stories of the Week
The Alberta debate on whether to leave the Canadian Pension Plan has entered the open letter writing phase, with Prime Minister Trudeau penning a letter to Premier Danielle Smith, warning that Alberta leaving the CPP “would weaken the pensions of millions of seniors and hardworking people in Alberta and right across the country.” The Premier was quick to respond with an open letter of her own, accusing the Prime Minister of “stok[ing] fear in the hearts and minds of Canadian retirees on this issue.” The exchange of open letters comes as the government-established Public Engagement Panel holds a series of telephone town halls exploring the possibility of an Alberta Pension Plan this fall.
The impact of last week’s Supreme Court ruling on Bill C-69 is still being determined, with the provincial government of Alberta and federal government offering differing interpretations of what must now become of the Impact Assessment Act. As policy shakes out in the aftermath of the ruling, industry is looking for regulatory certainty and a level of previously unseen cooperation between the two levels of government.
Health Minister Adriana LaGrange announced changes yesterday to improve primary health care in the province, including assisting family doctors and nurse practitioners in seeing more patients, working with the Alberta Medical Association in developing a new payment model for family physicians and a new physician compensation model, and supporting nurse practitioners to open their own clinics in the province.
Upcoming Events Calendar
October 30, 2023: Alberta Speech from the Throne and start of fall session
November 3-4, 2023: UCP Annual General Meeting