Day One | September 23, 2024
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Trudeau Taps Anand for Transport as Rodriguez Exits for Quebec Liberal Leadership
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a cabinet adjustment following Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez's departure to pursue the Quebec Liberal leadership. Treasury Board President?Anita Anand will now handle double duty, taking on the Transport portfolio ?as well. Jean-Yves Duclos, the Public Services and Procurement Minister, has been appointed as the new Quebec political lieutenant, replacing Rodriguez in this role. Rodriguez will sit as an Independent MP until January, citing a shift in priorities away from the federal government's agenda.
NDP and Bloc Reject Conservative Non-Confidence Motion, Sparing Trudeau Government
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and his party will join the Bloc Québécois in?voting against Pierre Poilievre's non-confidence motion , effectively preventing a snap election. Singh emphasized this doesn't indicate support for the Liberals, but rather a decision to evaluate government actions on a vote-by-vote basis. Bloc Leader Yves-Fran?ois Blanchet tied his party's future support to specific demands, including increased pensions for seniors aged 65-74 and protections for supply management. The decision sparked heated exchanges in Parliament, with Poilievre accusing Singh of betraying voters. Despite this reprieve, the Liberal government still faces ongoing political challenges and potential future confidence votes.
Government Further Reduces International Student Intake for 2025 and 2026
Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced a?10% reduction in study permits for 2025, capping the number at 437,000, down from 485,000 in 2024 . This level will be maintained for 2026. The government also tightened restrictions on work permits for spouses of international students and temporary foreign workers. These measures aim to reduce Canada's temporary resident population from 6.5% to 5% of the total population. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated the changes are necessary to address system abuse. The cap will be applied differently across provinces, with those experiencing "unsustainable growth" facing larger cuts.?
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Alberta's Ambitious School Building Plan Faces Labor Shortage Hurdles
Premier Danielle Smith has announced an $8.6 billion plan to build 90 new schools in Alberta over the next seven years, aiming to create 200,000 new student spaces. However,?construction industry leaders are warning that existing labor shortages could make meeting this ambitious timeline challenging . The Alberta Construction Association and Calgary Construction Association have called for collaboration with the government to address these concerns. While the government promises to work with industry partners and invest in trades education, experts suggest that careful staging of projects and prioritizing local workers will be crucial to success. The plan includes building 30 new schools annually for the next three years, with additional modernizations and charter school projects planned.
Alberta Returns Millions in Unused Well Cleanup Funds, Sparking Industry Disappointment
Alberta has returned over $137 million to Ottawa from a federal program for cleaning up inactive oil and gas wells , disappointing industry groups. The funds were part of a $1.7 billion initiative launched in 2020 to address aging infrastructure and support the oilfield service sector during the pandemic. Despite numerous inactive wells in Alberta, the province couldn't fully utilize the funds within the timeframe, citing program launch difficulties, weather constraints, and labor shortages. Critics question the program's effectiveness in addressing the inactive well problem. The incident raises concerns about Alberta's ability to manage federal funding efficiently, especially given its frequent complaints about federal spending powers.
Poll Shows Smith Struggling in Alberta's Major Cities, Premier Undeterred
A new Maru Public Opinion poll reveals that?most Edmonton and Calgary residents believe it's time to change Alberta's leadership . Only 32% of Edmontonians and 37% of Calgarians think Premier Danielle Smith deserves re-election. Despite these numbers, Smith remains unfazed, stating she's focused on solving Alberta's problems, which she says she "didn't create." The poll was conducted before Smith's recent $8.6 billion school funding announcement which aims to address concerns in major urban cities who are struggling with school capacity. In addition to improving schools, Smith aims to address Alberta’s health care system in the fall as one of the top concerns of Albertans.
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New Brunswick Election Kicks Off with Liberals and Progressive Conservatives in Dead Heat
It’s day 5 of the 33-day NB election campaign, which will see voters going to the polls on October 21; with advance polls on October 12 and October 15. Blaine Higgs, Leader of the Progressive Conservatives (PCs), is running against Liberal Leader Susan Holt, and Green Party Leader David Coon.? Like much of the country, New Brunswickers top concerns are affordability, health care and education.? ? Higgs entered the race as Canada’s least popular Premier, with an approval?rating ?of 33%, in a province where no premier has won a third term in over three decades. However,?polls show a close race, with the Liberals slightly ahead, though the PCs have much stronger voter efficiency. Electoral boundaries were also redrawn ahead of this election, impacting multiple candidates, including Ms. Holt who elected to run in the newly formed riding of Fredericton South-Silverwood, after previously being elected in Bathurst East-Nepisiguit-Saint-Isidore. At dissolution, the PCs held 25 seats in the 49-seat legislature, the Liberals held 16 seats, the Greens had three, and there was one Independent and four vacancies. ? Having had the summer to prepare, all parties have been quick out of the gate with party leaders fanning out across the province to make healthcare, housing and rural service commitments.? Higgs and the PCs went on the attack while launching their campaign, accusing the Liberals and Greens of an ‘alliance’ similar to the agreement between the federal Liberals and NDP.? The PCs continue to tout their commitment to cut the HST by 2% if re-elected.? The Liberals have committed to balanced?budgets , retention?payments for nurses, a?school ?lunch program, a?rent cap , and?removing ?the provincial sales tax on new multi-unit homes and home?electricity ?bills. While the Greens has pledged major?investments ?in healthcare,?support ?for low-income electricity consumers, and to?restore local services. In the first leaders’ forum, mayors pushed for?immediate ?fiscal reform following the election. The first leaders' debate will air on September 25 on CBC.
Nova Scotia Legislative Session Ends After Only 10 days; Fueling Speculation that Premier Houston may be Considering Early Election
Nova Scotia’s legislature rose after a short 10-day?session , amidst speculation that Premier Tim Houston may call an early?election . Opposition leaders Zack Churchill and Claudia Chender accused the PCs of?failing ?to fix healthcare and address the rising cost of living, as well as?failing ?to address the housing crisis, but Houston says he judges the session’s success by the quality of legislation passed, which included 6 government bills, as well as one NDP private members’ bill.? Legislation was primarily concentrated on housing and healthcare, including a?bill ?to extend the province's rental cap which currently sits at five per cent per year. The bill received a considerable amount of?criticism ?since the province already has the highest rent cap in Canada, with critics arguing a fixed term lease loophole will allow landlords to raise rents as much as they like if they rent to a new tenant. There is no set date for the legislature to return and speculation now turns to whether Houston will respect?his own fixed?election ?date of July 15, 2025,?or call an early election.
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Spar with Federal Liberals over Chignecto Isthmus Funding
Federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc?met ?with Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston just days after the Trudeau government issued a take-it-or-leave-it ultimatum to the governments of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick over funding for the?Chignecto Isthmus , prompting speculation that a deal may yet be reached. While all levels of government acknowledge the need to protect the Isthmus, which is at risk of severe flooding due to rising sea levels and extreme weather events, disagreements have grown more heated over which level of government should bear responsibility for funding the more than $650 million project. The federal Liberals have proposed funding half of the?project ?through the Disaster Mitigation Fund, which Premier Higgs has agreed to ‘begrudgingly’ accept without prejudice as provincial?legal ?action progresses. While work continues, including?hiring ?a project manager, Premier Houston remains adamant that every additional dollar spent on the Isthmus is a dollar taken away from healthcare for Nova Scotians. The provinces are arguing that as a national trade corridor, the federal government has a constitutional responsibility to fund the project citing the?Champlain Bridge ?in Montreal as an example where the federal government has assumed 100% of the cost.
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B.C. Provincial Election: Key Issues and Party Proposals Take Center Stage
The B.C. provincial election campaign kicked off on Friday September 20th, with key issues including health care, crime, housing, toxic drugs, and the economy?at the forefront . The B.C. Conservatives propose expanding private clinics and stricter crime measures, while the NDP highlights improved access to family doctors and investments in root causes of crime. Housing initiatives aim to tackle high costs, with the NDP and Conservatives presenting different strategies. The toxic drug crisis is a major concern, prompting calls for involuntary treatment options. Economic challenges are emphasized by a projected higher deficit, leading to varied proposals from party leaders. The NDP and Conservatives are in a statistical deadlock, but a new Leger poll shows that?significantly more British Columbians approve of Premier David Eby ?than Tory Leader John Rustad. Election Timeline:
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B.C. and First Nations collaborate to develop below-market homes that are "attainable" in Vancouver
The Heather Lands initiative in Vancouver offers thousands of first-time homebuyers the chance?to purchase homes at 40% below market value , thanks to a partnership between the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations and the Province. Premier David Eby emphasized that this initiative will help middle-class families enter the housing market while addressing economic challenges. Approximately 2,600 homes will be built on the 21-acre site, with a unique 60/40 financing model: buyers will pay 60% of the market price, while the Province covers the remaining 40%, to be repaid upon sale or after 25 years. Strict eligibility criteria will prioritize low- to middle-income households, ensuring that the initiative benefits those in need while preventing speculation.
A study finds that B.C.'s short-term rental restrictions are lowering rents and saving tenants millions
A report from McGill University reveals that?B.C.'s crackdown on short-term rentals ?has led to a 5.7% reduction in rents, saving tenants over $600 million last year. This decline is primarily due to municipal rules requiring short-term rentals to be in the operator's principal residence. In Vancouver, renters are paying an average of $147 less monthly because of this regulation. If the new provincewide rules, enacted in May, continue to mirror existing municipal restrictions, tenants could see further savings of $592 million annually by 2027.
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Progressive Conservatives Hold Bay of Quinte in By-Election?
A provincial by-election in Bay of Quinte resulted in the Progressive Conservatives holding onto their seat. ?Todd Smith announced his resignation in August after recently serving as Ontario’s Education Minister. PC candidate Tyler Allsopp defeated Ontario Liberal candidate Sean Kelly by capturing 38.69% of the vote – with a margin of 2,002 votes. Both candidates were sitting City Councillors in Belleville. The PCs have held the riding since it was established in 2018, but the two ridings it was created from have swung between the Ontario Liberals and PCs. The Ontario Liberals saw the biggest improvement of all parties – increasing their vote share by approximately 15% and bypassing the Ontario NDP for second place. Todd Smith had won the riding by roughly 30% in 2022, with their lead shrinking to almost 5% in the by-election.
Ontario Liberals Hold Annual Meeting
The Ontario Liberals held their first annual convention under the leadership of Bonnie Crombie. ?The weekend was highly focused on election preparedness, as the Ontario Liberals?pitched ?a new logo and campaign-style slogan, More for You, in anticipation of voters heading to the polls a year early in 2025. Delegates at the party elected various executive positions and held a series of policy workshops, including an in-depth session on housing policy with Toronto’s former chief planner. Presidents from all four teachers’ unions were?also present ?for a session on education policy after a decade of tension. The participation of the teachers’ unions signals Crombie’s focus on attempting to rebuild “alliances” with key stakeholders as she aims to improve the party’s series of poor election performances.?
Ford Government Assessing Options to Ease Congestion in Toronto
Ontario Premier Doug Ford will present major changes to the Gardiner Expressway, Don Valley Parkway and Highway 401 that would bring “game-changing” measures to tackle congestion . The provincial government has yet to reveal what the changes will be. The Gardiner Expressway, transferred to the provincial government by the City of Toronto in a recent deal, is undergoing a years-long rehabilitation project, which has worsened traffic congestion. During the spring, Ontario Transport Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria?suggested construction should take place 24 hours a day to accelerate the project. The announcement comes amid news that the Ford government is?considering legislation ?that would prohibit new bike lanes that result in fewer lanes for motorists.
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Toronto Launches New Plan to Ease Traffic and Speed up Construction?
The City of Toronto is introducing new measures to reduce traffic congestion. These include a construction levy on developers who block roads, higher fines for traffic violations, and more automated?cameras ?to enforce traffic laws. Officials also plan to hire more traffic agents and encourage quicker construction. With over 50% of road closures caused by public and private construction, city leaders want better coordination of projects and more efficient use of road space.
Toronto Committee Approves $289 Million Garbage Collection Contract Amid Privatization Debate?
A Toronto committee approved a five-year,?$289 million contract ?with GFL Environmental for garbage collection in the city’s west end starting in 2026. Some councillors, like Lily Cheng, questioned the move, saying privatization no longer offers big savings. In 2012, the city saved money with privatization, but now costs are similar to in-house services. City staff will explore bringing garbage collection back in-house and will release a report on this in 2025. Mayor Chow is open to this idea, while other councillors want to continue privatization.
Candidates Confirmed for Don Valley West Byelection on November 4
Sixteen candidates are confirmed for the?Don Valley West byelection ?on November 4, 2024. The byelection is being held to fill the seat left vacant following the death of Councillor Jaye Robinson, who represented the ward from 2010 until her passing in May. Candidates include Anthony Furey, Rachel Chernos Lin, and Syed Jaffery. The nomination period closed on September 19, 2024. Advance voting will be held on October 26 and 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The candidates are running to represent Ward 15, which is bordered by Yonge Street, Leslie Street, Highway 401, and the Don River.
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Legault in Favour of Immigration Reform, Supports Non-Confidence Motion
Quebec Premier Fran?ois Legault has made it clear that reducing the number of temporary immigrants in Quebec will be a?key issue ?in the upcoming federal election. He stated that this commitment will significantly influence his support for any federal political party. While he supported the Conservative Party in the last election, he remained noncommittal about backing leader Pierre Poilievre this time, saying it was "far too early" to decide. Legault criticized the Bloc Québécois for its stance of not bringing down Prime Minister Trudeau's government without immigration guarantees, arguing that defending Quebecers' interests requires demanding a substantial reduction in temporary immigrants. He surprised many by suggesting that the Bloc should support Poilievre's Conservatives in a non-confidence motion against Trudeau, further illustrating his commitment to immigration reform.
Pablo Rodriguez Leaves Cabinet?to Run for Quebec Liberal Leadership
On Thursday afternoon, a new Transport Minister will be sworn in, following?Pablo Rodriguez's resignation ?from cabinet to focus on Quebec provincial politics. Rodriguez’s departure marks a significant shift, as he played a key role in addressing transportation challenges, including infrastructure modernization and sustainability.?Rodriguez’s exit could also impact the Liberal Party’s standing in Quebec, necessitating strategic adjustments as the political landscape evolves. This transition not only reflects shifting ambitions within the party but also reaffirms Canada’s commitment to developing a transportation system that is efficient, sustainable, and accessible for all Canadians.
Ethics Commissioner Clears CAQ MNA After Soliciting Donations for Meetings
The Ethics Commissioner has cleared CAQ MNA Louis-Charles Thouin of?wrongdoing regarding solicitation messages sent to municipal officials in his riding. The investigation found no violation of the code of ethics, although Commissioner Ariane Mignolet plans to propose new guidelines on political financing by 2025. Thouin faced criticism for inviting municipal councillors to fundraising events, raising concerns about access to ministers like Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault. Mignolet concluded that Thouin's actions did not reflect a personal interest and were not conducted in his official capacity, despite noting some role mixing between his duties and partisan activities.
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Associate business development Pill Dispenser @BEPI
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