The Weekly Roundup - August 2, 2024
The dog days of summer are upon us. Despite the fact politicians are back home in their ridings hitting the BBQ circuit, there’s no shortage of updates to bring you.
As of yesterday’s Alberta wildfire information update, there are 118 wildfires currently burning across Alberta in the Forest Protection Area with 19 classified as out of control, 49 held, and 50 under control. The devastating consequences of fire season are being felt by residents of Jasper, who are awaiting details of a tour by bus for those who lost their homes.
Meanwhile in Ottawa, a witness is demanding an apology after sparks flew at the Standing Committee on the Status of Women (FEWO), which held a rare mid-summer meeting to discuss violence against women. Liberal and NDP members of the committee objected to the way committee chair Conservative MP Shelby Kramp-Neuman called the meeting. Anita Vandenbeld, who serves as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development accused the Conservatives of using victims’ trauma to try to score political points by calling the meeting on short notice and not giving the other parties an opportunity to call their own witnesses. The meeting further devolved when two of the witnesses left the committee room after the meeting’s planned topic of discussion was derailed by Vandenbeld moving a motion for the committee to study abortion rights.
Below you’ll find a recap of the other top stories we’re watching across Canada.
Top Federal Stories
Prime Minister Trudeau has called byelections in the Manitoba riding of Elmwood – Transcona and the Montreal riding of LaSalle – Émard – Verdun for September 16. The byelection in LaSalle – Émard – Verdun, which was held by former justice minister David Lametti, may be another tight race for the Trudeau Liberals, who are still reeling from their byelection loss in Toronto-St. Paul to the CPC. Meanwhile, the Manitoba byelection is shaping up to be a battle between the NDP and the Conservatives. NDP candidate Leila Dance will be defending the long-time Blaikie family-represented seat from Conservative challenger Colin Reynolds. With the opportunity to score another byelection win, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre joined Reynolds in Winnipeg on Sunday to rallying conservative supporters.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller teased new measures to reduce the number of temporary residents coming to Canada. The Liberal government has struggled to manage an immigration system that has been blamed for contributing to the increased cost of housing, as well as supressing wages and contributing to a youth unemployment crisis. Still, it remains to be seen how successful the Liberals will be with their efforts. The Bank of Canada is projecting Canada’s working-age population growth will be among the highest in the world.
Top Alberta Stories
Calgary City Council approved a revised Green Line LRT phase 1 project scope. Amidst cost overruns and city hall’s desire to keep the project alive, the route has been downsized to seven stations, instead of the originally planned 13. The new price tag: $6.2 billion, up from $5.5 billion when the project was green lit in June 2020. Former premier Jason Kenney weighed in after NDP leader Naheed Nenshi blamed Kenney for the Green Line cost overruns. Kenney described Nenshi’s recollection of his government’s role in the project as “florid” and says that the former Calgary mayor “just makes stuff up.”
Top Ontario Stories
In a move that will only fuel speculation that Ontario will head to the polls for an early election, Premier Doug Ford told reporters that Ontario would not be adopting the new federal electoral boundary changes for the next provincial election. Ontario’s riding boundaries have traditionally matched the federal boundaries with minor exceptions, but it doesn’t happen automatically. The new boundaries would likely favour Premier Ford’s Progressive Conservatives, who remain strongly competitive in fast growing communities like Brampton, Durham, and Milton which are getting additional representation under the federal redistribution, but changing the boundaries would likely take time the Ontario legislature doesn’t have if Premier Ford is thinking about calling an election as early as spring 2025.
This week, Health Minister and Deputy Premier Sylvia Jones said she has concerns that involuntary treatment for people with drug addictions would not lead to the outcomes the province wants. Mandatory drug treatment is something Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre told reporters he is considering, but he wants to see more evidence before making a commitment about what a potential Poilievre led government would do.
Client Spotlight
This week New West client TC Energy announced a historic partnership, marking the country's largest Indigenous equity ownership agreement in Canadian history. This transformative deal will empower 72 Indigenous Communities with a significant share in Canada’s largest natural gas pipeline network.
Congratulations to our friends at TELUS Spark on the launch of their groundbreaking new BLUprint (Build + Learn + YOU) program! This week the Government of Alberta’s Advanced Education Ministry announced a grant of nearly $900,000, alongside a generous $100,000 sponsorship from the Calgary Construction Association to help make BLUprint a reality. BLUprint is Canada’s first program that bridges skilled trades programming with a science centre and is designed to spark curiosity and inspire Alberta youth to explore vibrant STEAM careers.
Upcoming Events Calendar
August 16, 2024: Ford Fest will take place in Milton
September 16, 2024: House of Commons resumes sitting
October 21, 2024: Queen’s Park resumes sitting
October 28, 2024: Alberta Legislature resumes sitting
November 1-2, 2024: UCP AGM takes place in Red Deer, including leadership review vote