The Weekly Roundup - September 19, 2023
The House of Commons resumed sitting yesterday after the summer break, and rather than the political sparring that was anticipated, a rare moment of unity occurred in the face of the shocking revelation first reported by the Globe and Mail that Canadian authorities believe agents of the Indian government were potentially linked to the June killing of Sikh independence advocate Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh all rose in the chamber to deliver speeches, with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre stating that India must account for its conduct and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh saying he will not budge until justice is served in this case. India has rejected the allegations.
The public inquiry into foreign interference, launched earlier this month by Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc, could include in its scope yesterday’s revelations. While the work of the inquiry is led by an independent Commissioner, Justice Marie-Josée Hogue, Minister LeBlanc stated yesterday that he assumes that Justice Hogue and security agencies “will do what’s necessary for her inquiry to also look at the ways that India interferes in Canada”. The Commissioner will deliver an interim report by the end of February, and a final report by December 2024.
Below, you’ll find the other top federal and provincial stories of the week.
Top Federal Stories of the Week
According to recent polling by Abacus, housing affordability is a significant worry for Canadians, with over 85 per cent expressing concerns. It’s no surprise then that the topic was highlighted as a central focus at the Liberal’s August cabinet retreat, and both the governing Liberals and Official Opposition Conservatives are putting forward policy recommendations on the subject.
The Liberal government has begun doling out funding through their Housing Accelerator Fund announced in Budget 2022, and late last week also announced the removal of GST from the construction of new rental apartments. Canada’s Housing Minister Sean Fraser has also stated that the federal government isn’t ruling out changes to its ambitious immigration targets in order to address current housing challenges.
Pierre Poilievre will be tabling a Private Members’ Bill this week offering his party’s housing affordability solution, which includes:
Home building targets for municipalities tied to funding with bonuses for meeting 15 per cent targets
Removing GST on the building of any new homes with rental prices below market value, and
Converting 15 per cent of the federal government’s building stock and land into affordable housing within one year of the bill’s passage.
Consumer Price Index figures for July were released this morning, and show a year-over-year increase of 4 per cent, largely tied to gas prices and rent. The 4 per cent increase is well over the Bank of Canada’s target of 2 per cent, and the next rate decision on October 25th looms large on the horizon. The next inflation report in early October will be crucial in determining if inflation is cooling and as a result, if the BoC will budge from the current benchmark overnight lending rate (and 22 year high) of 5 per cent.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau along with senior cabinet ministers are at the U.N. General Assembly for the remainder of the week. The assembly will be tackling sustainable development goals as well as calls from world leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, for support of Ukraine. Following an appearance at the U.N., Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Canada, addressing Parliament on Friday.
Top Alberta Stories of the Week
The fragility of trusting your children with a childcare facility has been highlighted with the recent E. coli outbreak impacting more than 330 individuals in Calgary, likely caused by food prepared in a central kitchen. In her first media availability on the topic since the outbreak began, Premier Danielle Smith was visibly overcome with emotion as she announced financial supports for families impacted by the outbreak, and a commitment to review and potentially develop new regulations for shared kitchens to prevent future outbreaks.
The World Petroleum Congress is underway in Calgary, with keynote speeches having been delivered by Federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, Premier Danielle Smith and Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek. At this year’s congress, there is a focus on emissions reduction, realistic targets and highlighting innovation, including in a statement released by Alberta’s Energy Minister Brian Jean. Of course, having the meeting when oil demand is at record levels and is sitting at $90 a barrel helps to bolster optimism for the industry as well.
The Premier issued a statement following the first meeting of the bilateral Alberta-Ottawa working group on emissions reduction, which has set discussions on the recently released federal electricity regulations as their first priority. The group intends to meet every two to three weeks, over the course of the next eight to 12 months.
Upcoming Events Calendar
October 30, 2023: Alberta Speech from the Throne and start of fall session
November 3-4, 2023: UCP Annual General Meeting