Ontario Government to buy back Highway 407? Liberals to vote NO on BQ Motion.? And NDP moving up in the polls
+ more regulatory news and House of Commons committee meetings
DAILY BRIEF:
New federal 338 Canada update has the Conservatives winning 221 seats, Liberals 61 seats, BQ 42 seats, NDP 17 seats and the Greens with 2 seats.
New federal Mainstreet Research model has been updated with the NDP gaining in vote share and seats from the Liberals.
Elections coming soon:
October 19 - British Columbia provincial election.
October 21 - New Brunswick provincial election.
October 28 - Saskatchewan provincial election.
The Prime Minister will attend a G7 virtual meeting to discuss the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
The Prime Minister will attend the National Caucus meeting.
The Prime Minister will attend Question Period.
The Prime Minister will deliver remarks at the Hispanic Day on the Hill reception. The Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, will also be in attendance.
REGULATORY AND ANNOUNCEMENT ROUNDUP:
Today, Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault announced a framework to protect the right to a healthy environment through the modernization and administration of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). This includes a series of initiatives that protect all people in Canada, particularly communities who are disproportionately impacted by harmful substances. Over the coming months, the public will have the opportunity to have their say on several initiatives, including:
The Government of Canada has released its final list of steel and aluminum products from China that will be subject to a 25 per cent surtax
This past month, Treasury Board President Anita Anand joined 50 Black executives from 2 cohorts to celebrate the launch of a new stream of the Executive Leadership Development Program. Designed to address the historic underrepresentation of Black executives in the federal public service, this new stream equips Black executives with the essential knowledge of leading within the federal public service while also integrating the lived experiences of its participants.
Canada’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change will undergo a modernization of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, strengthening chemicals management. On October 5, 2024, the 60-day public comment period will begin for the Draft Implementation Framework for the Right to a Healthy Environment under CEPA, the proposed Plan of Priorities, and the proposed Watch List Approach.
House of Commons Committee hearings today:
Tech Giants’ Use of Intimidation Tactics (430pm to 630pm)
Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion (430pm to 630pm)
Factors Leading to the Recent Fires in Jasper National Park (430 pm to 630pm)
Sustainable Development Technology Canada Committee Hearing (430pm to 630pm)
House of Commons Committee hearings tomorrow:
INDU - Briefing on the Mandate of the Minister of Industry, Science and Technology
CIMM Closed Work Permits and Temporary Foreign Workers (11:00 AM to 1:00 PM)
SRSR Innovation, Science, and Research in Recycling Plastics
SECU Russian interference and disinformation campaigns in Canada
FAAE Bill C-277, An Act to establish a national strategy on brain injuries
The Ontario government is investing $5 million in the Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (RAISE) program for 2024-25 to provide free access to business coaching, training and grants for more than 400 Indigenous, Black and other racialized entrepreneurs. This is part of the government’s $15 million investment over three years to provide more than 1,200 entrepreneurs with the training and support to launch and grow successful small businesses.
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $1.5 million over four years to create a more welcoming environment for international agri-food workers (IAWs) who work in Ontario’s $51 billion agri-food sector and provide them with stronger supports during their stay here. These include translation supports, expanding or introducing transportation services, and supporting cultural and recreational activities.
Trudeau Liberals to vote against BQ pension motion
The Bloc Québécois, led by Yves-François Blanchet, has made a significant push for increasing old age security payments for seniors aged 65 to 74, aligning with their Bill C-319. This bill aims to boost these benefits to match those received by seniors over 75, which was previously increased by the Liberal government. The Bloc has set an ultimatum for the Liberals, demanding support for this bill by October 29, 2024, or they would consider supporting non-confidence motions that could lead to a federal election.
Trudeau Liberals' Stance: The Trudeau Liberals appear to be at odds with this demand. Senior Minister Steven MacKinnon criticized the bill for not reflecting the actual needs of Canadian seniors, suggesting a lack of support from the Liberals. Moreover, there's a broader strategic concern within the Liberal camp about aligning with the Bloc's demands.
Politically, while increasing benefits for seniors might seem popular, it conflicts with broader fiscal strategies and the Liberal agenda, especially as they eye the next election. The Liberals are wary of committing to additional significant spending, especially with other priorities like housing and economic recovery in mind.
Given these dynamics:
Vote Likelihood: Based on the information, it seems unlikely that the Liberals would vote in favor of the Bloc's pension increase bill due to differing fiscal and political strategies.
Political Maneuvering: If the Liberals decide against supporting this bill, it could lead to political instability, with the Bloc potentially supporting non-confidence motions. However, immediate decisions might also be influenced by the need to table a fall economic statement and the overall minority government dynamics, where negotiations and compromises are frequent to maintain power.
Ontario government to consider buying back tolled Highway 407
The Ontario government, led by Premier Doug Ford, has announced intentions to increase the speed limit to 110 km/h on all 400-series highways "where it is safe to do so." This directive, while broad, lacks specific details on which exact stretches of highway will see this speed increase.
Additionally, Ford has expressed consideration for buying back Highway 407. Mentioning that "everything is on the table," he highlighted the highway's projected capacity issues within the next two decades, suggesting a long-term strategic interest in potentially reacquiring this toll road.
These announcements reflect a dual focus on enhancing highway efficiency through increased speed limits and addressing future infrastructure needs by contemplating the repurchase of a significant transportation asset, though specifics on both fronts remain to be detailed.
14 Major Global Banks and Financial Institutions Express Their Support for Effort to Triple Nuclear Energy by 2050
Nations endorsing the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy launched at COP28 in 2023 were joined by 14 financial institutions who expressed support for the call to action to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050.
The group of financial institutions include: Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Ares Management, Bank of America, Barclays, BNP Paribas, Brookfield, Citi, Credit Agricole CIB, Goldman Sachs, Guggenheim Securities LLC, Morgan Stanley, Rothschild & Co., Segra Capital Management, and Societe Generale.
They further expressed support for long-term objectives of growing nuclear power generation and expanding the broader nuclear industry.