Top news
- Yesterday, a non-confidence motion moved by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was defeated by a vote of 204 to 116, with all the other parties joining the Liberals to reject a defeat of the government over the carbon tax. Earlier in the week, a Conservative motion calling on the government to cancel the planned increase of the carbon tax was also defeated.
- A contentious NDP motion about the conflict in Gaza was approved by MPs in a 204 to 117 vote on Monday. The NDP agreed to amendments that softened the demand to recognize a Palestinian state to win support from the Liberals. Three Liberal MPs joined the Conservatives in voting against the amended motion.
- The government announced it would introduce a cap on the number of Temporary Foreign Worker permits to 5% of the total population, which would be a 20% reduction from the current number of permits. Minister Miller intends to announce how the cap will be implemented in the fall following discussions with stakeholders. The government is also reducing the validity of Labour Market Impact Assessments from 12 to 6 months.
- The Auditor General released her latest reports, which examined housing in First Nations communities, First Nations and Inuit policing, and the National Trade Corridors Fund.
Government announcements
- The Competition Bureau has opened a consultation on the implications of AI for competition, including how competition is developing in AI markets and how the Bureau can address competitive harms from AI.
- The government tabled the final report of the Expert Panel reviewing the Cannabis Act. The report made 54 recommendations about how the Act could be strengthened.
- The Competition Bureau published its submission to the Finance Department on how to best strengthen competition in the financial sector.
- Treasury Board President Anand released the restorative engagement program panel reports on ensuring the public service is free of harassment and discrimination.
- The Treasury Board has issued new measures to strengthen oversight of government procurement of contractors. The measures come after several months of controversy about government contracting for the ArriveCan app.
- Health Minister Holland released a statement noting he is “incredibly concerned about the growing popularity and recreational use of nicotine replacement therapies, particularly nicotine pouches, among youth.” He pledged that Health Canada will pursue legislative and regulatory mechanisms to implement safeguards to protect Canada’s youth.
- Prime Minister Trudeau announced that the government is committing $30 million to projects that promote democracy in Canada and around the world.
- The Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions has launched a call for proposals from Quebec-based business incubators and accelerators on projects to support startups in Quebec’s regions.
In the House of Commons
- Bill C-34: The bill to update the national security review process under the Investment Canda Act was approved by the Senate and has received Royal Assent.
- Bill C-35: The bill to create a legal framework for Canada’s early learning and childcare system was approved by the Senate and received Royal Assent.
- Bill C-57: The bill to implement the updated Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement was approved by the Senate and received Royal Assent.
- Bill C-59: The bill to implement provisions of the Fall Economic Statement was approved at 2nd reading and sent to the Finance Committee.
- Bill C-65: This bill, which would amend the Canada Elections Act to implement measures such as adding additional early voting days and new safeguards to prevent election interference was introduced in the House.
- Bill C-66: Defence Minister Blair tabled this bill to implement Justice Arbour’s recommendations that the responsibility to investigate and prosecute sex crimes in the Canadian military be moved from the military justice system to the civilian justice system.
- Bill C-365: Ryan Williams PMB to require the government to introduce a plan to implement open banking in Canada was approved at 2nd reading and sent to the Finance Committee for study.
Economic numbers of the week
- 2.8%: Canada’s Consumer Price Index rose by 2.8% in February down from 2.9% the previous month. Among the factor pulling inflation down was a declining rate of food inflation which at 2.4% is now running lower than the overall rate.
Coming Up
- The State Funeral of the Right Hounourable Brian Mulroney will be held in Montreal on March 23rd
- The House of Commons will not sit next week. It resumes on April 8th.
- The Foreign Interference Commission will start its next round of public hearings on March 27th. The hearings will run until April 10th.
- The federal budget will be tabled on April 16th
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