Day One | October 21, 2024
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Cabinet Shuffle Looms as Senior Liberals Announce Exit from Politics
Four Liberal ministers have announced?they will not seek re-election : Marie-Claude Bibeau (Minister of National Revenue), Carla Qualtrough (Minister of Sport and Physical Activity), Dan Vandal (Minister of Northern Affairs), and Filomena Tassi (Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario). This comes as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces internal challenges, with some Liberal MPs reportedly considering asking him to step down at the upcoming caucus meeting. The dissent has become more visible, with Charlottetown MP Sean Casey openly calling for Trudeau’s resignation and with MP Anthony House Father calling for a ‘robust caucus discussion’ on the leader.?
PM Trudeau Alleges Foreign Interference in Canadian Politics During Inquiry Testimony
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, testifying at the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference, asserted that certain Conservative parliamentarians are targets or participants in foreign interference efforts. Trudeau criticized Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre's refusal to obtain top-level security clearance, stating this prevents sharing crucial intelligence. Poilievre countered, demanding public disclosure of any evidence. The Prime Minister also revealed increased Chinese interference following his 2022 confrontation with President Xi Jinping and acknowledged strained Canada-India relations over alleged crimes on Canadian soil. Notably, Trudeau?expressed surprise at learning of a significant foreign interference incident only recently, highlighting potential gaps in intelligence communication.
PBO Report: Federal Deficit likely Exceeded $40 Billion Target in 2023-24
The Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) estimates Canada’s federal deficit for the 2023-24 fiscal year at $46.8 billion,?surpassing the government’s $40 billion cap commitment . For 2024-25, the PBO projects a slight decrease to $46.4 billion, assuming no new spending measures. Economically, the PBO forecasts 1.1% growth for 2024, rebounding to 2.2% in 2025. On monetary policy, the PBO projects the Bank of Canda’s policy rate to reach 2.75% by the second quarter of 2025. The official deficit figures for 2023-25 will be confirmed in the government’s forthcoming public accounts report.
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Alberta Raises Red Flag on Federal Supply Management Bill, Citing Export Concerns
The Bloc Québécois' Bill C-282, aimed at protecting Canada's supply-managed sectors (dairy, poultry and eggs) from international trade negotiations, has sparked debate across the country. While receiving cross-party support in Ottawa, Alberta's government expresses deep concern over potential impacts on trade capabilities. Minister Matt Jones warns the?bill could hinder Canada's ability to negotiate beneficial agreements and damage its reputation as a reliable trading partner . Agricultural groups in Alberta and other provinces fear the legislation prioritizes one sector at the expense of export-driven industries. Alberta’s agriculture industry, which exported $17.9 billion worth of products in 2023, is heavily dependent on international markets. Beef producers, who export over 50% of their product, fear the bill prioritizes one sector at the expense of others, potentially threatening Alberta's vital export economy.
Alberta Shifts Seniors' Care to Social Services Ministry
Alberta is restructuring its healthcare system by splitting Alberta Health Services into four new provincial health agencies: the Primary Care Agency, the Acute Care Agency, the Continuing Care Agency, and the Mental Health and Addiction Agency. As part of this reorganization, continuing care programs are being moved from the health ministry to the seniors and social services ministry. Seniors Minister Jason Nixon, sworn in June 2023, after previously serving as Minister of Environment, Parks, and Finance, will now be responsible for these programs. Nixon says the?goal is to improve patient outcomes by leveraging social services expertise . While implementation details are still being finalized, no immediate changes to services are expected.?
Alberta Launches $7M Ad Blitz Against Federal Oil and Gas Emissions Cap
Alberta has launched a $7 million "Scrap the Cap" advertising campaign against Ottawa's proposed emissions cap for the oil and gas industry. The federal government aims to reduce the sector's emissions by 35-38% from 2019 levels by 2030, with flexibility measures potentially lowering this to 20%. The cap is part of Canada's broader goal to cut national emissions by 40-45% by 2030. Alberta Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz argues the?policy will impact production and increase costs for Canadians, citing reports from Deloitte and the Conference Board of Canada . The province is considering a legal challenge, claiming jurisdiction over natural resource management. Federal ministers insist the cap targets pollution, not production.
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New Brunswick to Elect New Government
It’s election day in New Brunswick, but?23.5% ?of the province has already cast their ballot. Recent polls suggest that the Liberals have a?six-point lead ?in the popular vote, a?lead ?in Fredericton and Moncton, while neck-and-neck with PCs in Saint John.? Given regional dynamics, it remains to be seen how vote efficiency or the federal Liberals?waning popularity ?will affect the final results. If elected, Liberal Leader Susan Holt will become the first woman to ever lead the province.? ? As the campaign entered its final weekend, party leaders?focused ?on collaborative health care, making their final pitch to voters as they crisscrossed the province. PC Leader Blaine Higgs’ spent the weekend visiting ridings from Bathurst to Carleton County reiterating, ‘to keep moving forward we need a PC majority.’? Liberal Leader Susan Holt was in multiple communities including Saint John, Fredericton, Moncton, Miramichi, and Neguac, where she continued to position herself as a ‘stark contrast’ to Higgs, offering a collaborative and ‘balanced approach to make life more affordable and improve access to health care.’? Green Leader David Coon elected to campaign close to home in the Fredericton area. After 8 straight budget surpluses, ? Owing to redistribution ridings in Fredericton have changed significantly since the 2020 election, meaning neither Holt nor Coon’s seats are considered?safe . A scenario where the Liberals form a government, but Holt loses her seat, or the Greens hold the balance of power in a minority government, but Coon fails to get elected, are not out of the realm of possibility. With 49 seats in the legislature, parties are focused on securing the 25 seats needed for a majority, with the final result expected to come down to a?handful of ridings .
Former Liberal MP Andy Fillmore next Mayor of HRM; Cecil Clarke retakes CBRM
Municipal elections ?were held on Saturday in 48 of Nova Scotia’s 49 municipalities. Mayor and council were acclaimed in the Town of Mulgrave.? Unofficial results saw Cecil Clarke?retake ?the mayor’s office in Cape Breton Regional Municipality, a position he held from 2012 to 2020, while former Liberal MP Andy Fillmore will be the?next mayor ?of the Halifax Regional Municipality.? Fillmore, a former urban planner, garnered 42.4% of the vote, defeating city councillors Waye Mason and Pam Lovelace, who earned 25% and 16% of the vote respectively.? Across the province a number of incumbents were?defeated , including Wolfville mayor Wendy Donovan, Amherst mayor David Kogon, and Municipality of the District of Lunenburg mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, who also serves as president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities.? Electoral results are considered official after they are certified by a returning officer, which expected to take place early this week.
Dr. Wassim Salamoun officially becomes Lieutenant Governor of P.E.I.
Justin Trudeau?announced ?Dr.? Wassim Salamoun is the 30th Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island since Confederation, replacing the Hon. Antoinette Perry.? Dr. Salamoun began his career at Summerside’s Prince County Hospital in 1989, going on to hold various roles throughout the province’s health system.? Born in Lebanon, Salamoun’s appointment marks the first time P.E.I.’s Lieutenant Governor has been a first-generation immigrant of non-European descent. Salamoun said he hopes to use his largely ceremonial role to address intolerance and domestic abuse by speaking directly to young people.
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B.C. Election Results: Race Remains Too Close to Call?
British Columbians?face a week-long wait ?to learn who will form their next government as recounts will decide whether the?NDP or Conservatives take the lead . At the close of polls in the early hours of Sunday, the 20th?of October, the NDP managed to secure 46 seats and a margin of 1.08% of the popular vote, while the Conservatives secured 45 seats. The Greens secured two seats, however Sonia Fursteanu, the leader of the party, lost hers. As such, the Green will likely hold the balance of power where there two seats could push either the NDP or the Conservatives over the 47-seat majority threshold. There were no Independents elected. NDP leader David Eby is open to working with the Greens, while Conservative leader John Rustad’s policy positions make it less likely the Greens and the Conservatives can amicably coalesce. Recounts in Surrey City Centre and Juan de Fuca-Malahat, as well as the final vote counts, will be announced between Oct. 26 and 28.
Conservatives Surge Province-Wide, NDP Holds Strong in Vancouver and Burnaby
The B.C. Conservatives made significant gains across much of the province,?winning 21 of 25 seats in the Okanagan, Interior, and northern B.C. ?The NDP?dominated Vancouver, taking 11 of the city's 12 ridings, including all three new ones: Vancouver-Yaletown, Vancouver-South Granville, and Vancouver-Little Mountain. Notable NDP wins included Attorney General Niki Sharma in Vancouver-Hastings and Health Minister Adrian Dix in Vancouver-Renfrew, while Conservative hopes were dashed in Vancouver-Kensington. The Conservatives managed to secure Vancouver-Quilchena with Dallas Brodie’s victory, marking an important win for the party.?In Surrey, the Conservatives flipped several ridings , marking a near-reversal from 2020, with former Surrey mayor Linda Hepner winning Surrey-Serpentine and Elenore Sturko taking Surrey-Cloverdale, both defeating NDP challengers. Sturko said the results show Surrey voters are tired of underinvestment. The NDP, with Jessie Sunner, offered a bright spot for the party in Surrey-Newton, where she was elected.?The NDP also swept all five Burnaby ridings, ?maintaining key wins for cabinet ministers Janet Routledge and Anne Kang, and speaker Raj Chouhan.
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Fortescue Halts Major Hydrogen Project in B.C. Over Power Challenges
Fortescue, an Australian-based minerals company,?has announced its withdrawal from the Coyote Hydrogen Project in Prince George, B.C. , a key component of the province's hydrogen production and net-zero emissions strategy. In a letter dated Sept. 26, the company cited unfavorable power pricing and availability as reasons for pausing the project, which would have been one of Canada's largest hydrogen facilities. The project aimed to produce 140,000 tonnes of hydrogen and 700,000 tonnes of ammonia annually and create over 100 permanent jobs. However, the facility required 1,000 megawatts of hydropower, which proved unfeasible. While Fortescue remains committed to green hydrogen globally, the pause highlights significant gaps in B.C.'s renewable energy capacity. Local officials remain optimistic about future hydrogen opportunities, but stress that more renewable energy generation is essential to realize such projects.
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Ontario Legislature Resumes Today; Fall Economic Statement Set for October 30
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario will return today after summer recess. The Ford government has outlined several priorities for the upcoming fall legislative session, including transportation legislation that would require municipalities to get provincial approval before building new bike lanes, the next iteration of the Working for Workers labour legislation, and red tape reduction measures. The province?plans ?to table the fall economic statement on October 30, which will outline updated policy priorities and the projected costs of building Ontario’s major infrastructure projects and the decision to allow alcohol to be sold in convenience stores.
Ontario to Limit New Municipal Bike Lanes on Major Roads, Fast-track Construction of Highway 413
The Ontario government will?introduce ?legislation that would require municipalities to receive provincial approval for installing bike lanes that take away lanes from motor vehicles. The province will also request data from municipalities on all bike lanes that have been installed in the past five years. In addition, the province is set to?introduce ?legislation to speed up the construction of Highway 413, the Bradford Bypass, and the Garden City Skyway bridge. The new rules will enable 24/7 construction on priority highway projects, impose new penalties for hindering field investigations or damaging equipment, and accelerate the environmental assessment for Highway 413.
Premier Ford to Issue $200 rebates to Ontarians to Combat High Living Costs, In a Pre-Election Bid
The Ford government is planning to?send ?cheques to Ontario residents to help offset rising living costs. While the precise amount of the cheques has not been finalized, it is expected to be at least $200 per person, with the total cost to the provincial government estimated at around $3.2 billion. The measure is set to be announced as part of Ontario’s fall economic statement on October 30.
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Toronto Unveils 10-Year Economic Plan
Toronto's "Sidewalks to Skylines" plan outlines?29 objectives ?over the next decade to tackle congestion, inequality, and housing. Announced by Mayor Olivia Chow, the strategy aims to secure a new funding deal with provincial and federal governments by 2030, reduce commercial-residential tax disparities, and introduce a business incentive program by 2025. It also prioritizes affordable housing, economic inclusion, and Indigenous development, with initiatives like an Indigenous Centre for Innovation. Addressing rising housing costs and opportunities for youth, the plan aims to support steady growth amid a projected population increase of 3.3 million by 2046.
Toronto Parks Division Responds to Auditor Report
Toronto’s parks division has vowed "aggressive"?reforms ?following an auditor general's report revealing discrepancies in park maintenance logs, showing workers spent less time on-site than reported. Parks General Manager Howie Dayton acknowledged the need for better supervision and accountability, committing to implement all nine audit recommendations, including digitizing time sheets, expanding GPS tracking, and setting clear maintenance standards for the city’s 1,500 parks. The changes aim to restore public trust and ensure compliance with service expectations before 2026.
Toronto Approves Stricter Measures to Ease Gridlock?
Toronto City Council has approved updates to its?congestion management plan , introducing tougher fines for drivers and builders who obstruct traffic. The new measures include raising fines for blocking lanes from $190 to $300 and imposing a congestion levy on builders occupying roadways. The plan also aims to accelerate construction on major streets, improve coordination of road closures, and expand the traffic agent program for problem intersections. An online dashboard will track the implementation of these measures. While some councillors pushed for a shift toward actively reducing congestion, council ultimately focused on improving management.
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Karl Blackburn's Potential Entry into the Quebec Liberal Party Leadership Race
Long-time Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) members are preparing for the possible?leadership campaign of Karl Blackburn , former Liberal MNA and current CEO of the Conseil du patronat du Québec. Although Blackburn initially declined to run after being diagnosed with prostate cancer, he now suggests that he may reconsider once his health improves following surgery and recovery. Close allies believe there is a strong chance he will enter the race, and prominent party figures are already working behind the scenes to build support for his candidacy. Blackburn’s entry would add to an already competitive field of declared candidates, including Pablo Rodriguez, Denis Coderre, and others, with the official leadership election set for June 14, 2025.
Economists Criticize Parti Québécois' Independence Budget; Plamondon Dismisses as Fear Campaign?
Several prominent economists, including Robert Gagné, Louis Lévesque, and Alain Paquet, have?criticized the Parti Québécois' (PQ) proposed budget for an independent Quebec , arguing that the financial projections are overly optimistic and economically fragile. They question the PQ's claims of potential savings from eliminating overlapping federal-provincial programs and highlight significant costs that have been underestimated, such as a higher debt burden of $53 billion and increased defense spending. The report also warns that the PQ has not adequately considered potential economic disruptions similar to those witnessed in the aftermath of Brexit. While these economists suggest that an independent Quebec could be viable, they caution that sovereignty may not lead to an improved quality of life for Quebecers. In response, PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon rejected the critical analysis, labeling it a continuation of the?"fear campaign" ?historically used by federalists during the 1980 and 1995 referendums. The analysis, which also includes contributions from former senator André Pratte, cast doubt on the economic feasibility of Quebec’s independence and highlighted the fragile assumptions underpinning the PQ’s "Year 1" budget. Plamondon dismissed the methodology of the report and implied that political motives were at play. He assured the public that a revised budget would be presented prior to any potential referendum, emphasizing the need to focus on substantive policy discussions rather than methodological critiques.
11 Teachers Suspended Amid Allegations of Toxic Behavior at Montreal School
The Centre de services scolaire de Montréal (CSSDM)?suspended 11 teachers ?from Bedford Elementary School following a government report detailing a toxic environment fostered by these educators. The report accuses the teachers of intimidating students and staff, particularly those with learning disabilities, and obstructing support services. This unprecedented suspension aims to restore a safe and healthy atmosphere at the school. The investigation, led by provincial committees, continues, with potential consequences including the revocation of teaching licenses. Criticism has been directed at CSSDM's executive director for delayed action in addressing these issues.?
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