Top news
- The Conservative Party called for the resignation of Public Safety Minister Marco Mendocino after he acknowledged his office had been informed of the possible transfer of serial killer Paul Benardo months before it happened. Mendocino has struggled to explain why his staff apparently did not inform of the transfer until the day after it occurred. The Prime Minister’s Office has also admitted it was aware of the potential transfer but likewise said it did not inform the Prime Minister until after it happened.
- On Thursday, MPs approved the government’s motion to amend the Standing Orders to permanently adopt “hybrid” Parliament procedures allowing MPs to participate in debate and votes virtually and in the House. The Conservatives and BQ opposed the change, but it passed with the NDP’ support.
- The government has asked opposition parties to offer suggestions about the next steps in the foreign interference controversy, including submitting candidates to lead an inquiry and ideas on the scope of such an inquiry. Opposition parties have been meeting to discuss how they will respond.
- Minister Freeland announced that Canada is suspending its involvement in the Asian Infrastructure Bank and launching a review as to whether to remain a member of the bank following the resignation of a senior bank official who alleged that the Chinese Communist Party was exerting undue influence on the bank.
- The Supreme Court ruled today that Canada’s Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States does not violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms as it rejected a constitutional challenge brought against the agreement.
Government announcements
- Minister Sajjan announced the federal government is committing $148.59M in humanitarian and development assistance to those impacted by the Syrian crisis.
- Minister Fraser announced Canada has opened two new streams of the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot. This program reduces barriers for skilled refugees to come to Canada to work in high demand sectors.
- Minister Guilbeault has extended Quebec’s deadline to produce a caribou conservation plan to account for the recent forest fires’ impact. If the federal government does not approve the Quebec plan, the Minister intends to seek authority for expanded regulatory oversight on non-federal lands in the region.
- Minister Anand announced Canada will deploy a Canadian Army Tank Squadron to Latvia to join the ongoing NATO Operation REASSURANCE.
- Minister Ng announced the creation of a new $25M 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program. Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce will administer the fund
In the House of Commons
- Bill C-13: This bill to amend the Official Languages Act passed 3rd Reading in the Senate and is now awaiting royal assent.
- C-18: This bill requiring internet platforms to negotiate payment for links to Canadian media sites passed 3rd Reading in the Senate with amendments and has returned to the House of Commons. The government continues to stand behind the legislation despite threats by major platforms that they will be forced to block Canadian news links if the bill passes.
- Bill C-35: This bill to create a legislative framework for Canada’s national child care system was approved at report stage in the House of Commons
- Bill C-41: This bill which will give the Public Safety Minister the ability to waive restrictions on humanitarian aid in regions controlled by a terrorist group, passed 3rd Reading in the Senate and is awaiting royal assent.
- Bill C-45: This bill to modernize the mandates of the First Nations Tax Commission and the First Nations Financial Management Board passed 3rd Reading in the Senate and is now awaiting royal assent.
- Bill C-50: The government introduced the Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act to implement what had previously been known as the Just Transition strategy to help resource workers adapt to the shift to a Net Zero economy.
- Bill S-5: The House’s amendments to this bill that update the Canadian Environmental Protection Act were approved by the Senate and received royal assent.
- C-211: MP Cathay Wagantall’s bill to add new provisions to Criminal Code for assaulting a pregnant woman was defeated at 2nd reading.
- C-294: MP Jeremy Patzer’s bill to amend the Copyright Act regarding interoperability passed 3rd reading in the House.
Economic numbers of the week
- –1.4%: Canada’s wholesale trade numbers declined by 1.4% in April over the previous month, with Statistics Canada measuring declines in 4 of 7 subsectors.
- 40,000,000: Statistics Canada estimates that Canada’s population will surpass 40,000,000 people today. Canada’s poputatino growth rate is currently 2.7% the highest it has been since 1957.
Key Resources