Top news
- David Johnston appeared before a parliamentary committee where skeptical opposition MPs raised a variety of questions about conflict of interest and Johnston’s findings. With the government’s backing, Johnson continues to insist he will not step down from his Special Rapporteur role as he prepares to hold public hearings over what policies the government should implement to fight foreign interference.
- Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre led his party’s efforts to block the passage of Bill C-47, the budget bill, over his demands that the government rework the budget to provide a path to balance as he spoke for several hours in the House of Commons in opposition to the budget. With the support of the NDP, the Liberals overcame the Conservative parliamentary maneuvers with the bill passing 3rd reading in the House on Thursday. The fight to oppose the bill has now moved on to the Senate.
- Forrest fires continue to be a significant issue, with the fires in Quebec this week generating smoke that covered a wide swath of Ontario and the Eastern United States, drawing international attention to the situation. During a call between President Biden and Prime Minister Trudeau, the US President committed to sending US resources to assist with the Canadian fire fighting efforts.
- The government continues to reject calls from Internet platforms to amend or drop C-18 as it makes its way through the Senate. The Prime Minister this week reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the bill despite Meta following Google’s lead in testing its ability to block links to Canadian news in anticipation of the bill’s passage.
Government announcements
- The Finance Department has launched a series of consultations on implementing measures in the 2023 budget. This includes asking for feedback on the design of the budget’s clean energy tax credits, how to implement reciprocal procurement for federal procurement, how to strengthen Canada’s anti-money laundering regime and reform Canada’s transfer pricing rules. The government has also opened consultations on the Royal Bank’s proposed purchase of HSBC Bank Canada.
- The government is opening consultations on the draft policy direction to the CRTC on implementing the Online Streaming Act. The government will publish the final binding policy direction regarding the Act following the consultations on the draft language.
- Minister Joly is promising she will introduce an implementation plan by September 1st for her plan to “reboot” the Canadian Foreign Service with a greater emphasis on ensuring diplomats have the language skills and topics relevant to their postings.
- The government announced it is providing $78.5M in funding under the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program to projects that will train and help retain healthcare workers.
- Minister Freeland announced the government is extending the temporary dropping of tariffs on Ukrainian-produced goods until June 2024.
- The government announced Canada will host the Seventh Assembly of the Global Environment Facility in Vancouver from August 22-26. The Assembly will discuss global financing for efforts to address climate change.
- Minister Fraser announced the extension of the electronic travel authorization program to an additional 13 countries including Argentina, the Philippines and Thailand.
In the House of Commons
- C-47: The Budget Bill passed 3rd reading in the House.
- C-281: MP Philip Lawrence’s bill to strengthen Canada’s Magnitsky Law passed 3rd reading in the House.
- C-284: The bill to establish a national strategy for eye care passed 2nd reading in the House.
- S-202: The bill to create a Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate passed 2nd reading in the House of Commons.
- S-245: The House’s Citizenship and Immigration Committee made significant changes to this bill through amendments to broaden the scope of the bill significantly. The original text would have restored Canadian citizenship to a small group of people who lost citizenship between 1977 and 1981. The revised changes will allow Canadians born abroad to pass their citizenship to their children born abroad if they have spent 3 years in Canada.
- The government has introduced a motion to amend the Standing Orders and make hybrid Parliament a permanent feature. The motion has drawn opposition from the Conservatives and support from the NDP. The government intends to pass the motion before the House rises for its summer break.
Economic numbers of the week
- –17,300: Statistics Canada’s May Labour Force Survey found a net loss of 17,300 jobs last month raising the unemployment rate by 0.2% to 5.2%. The job losses were heavily concentrated among youth in the 15 to 24 age range.
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