Ottawa Report – October 2, 2023

Latest News

House Speaker Race is On

With the resignation of Speaker Anthony Rota on Wednesday, September 27, amid the scandal surrounding the invitation and recognition of a Nazi in the House of Commons during the visit of Ukrainian President Zelensky, the election for the next speaker will take place when the chamber reopens for business on Tuesday, October 3.

Conservative MP and the Deputy Speaker Chris d’Entremont is in the race. He is considered a steady hand with experience in the chair. Liberal MP Greg Fergus is also gunning for the job. The three-term parliamentarian is well-liked among his peers and would be the first person of colour to take on the role. There are indications that Liberal MPs Peter Schiefke, David McGuinty, and Alexandra Mendès, along with NDP MP Carol Hughes and Green Party MP Elizabeth May are in the running. The House of Commons does not sit on Monday for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, placing the election on Tuesday.

Legislation

Upcoming Debates

• Monday, October 2: House is Adjourned to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
• Tuesday, October 3: Election of a new speaker and Second Reading Debate on Bill C-56, the Affordable Housing and Groceries Act
• Wednesday, October 4: Second Reading Debate on Bill S 12, an Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Sex Offender Information Registration Act and the International Transfer of Offenders Act.
• Thursday, October 5: Possible resuming of second reading debate on Bill C-56, the Affordable Housing and Groceries Act
• Friday, October 6: Bill C-49, An Act to amend the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts

Committee Updates

House Finance Committee

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance began a new study regarding policy decisions and market forces that have led to increases in the cost of buying or renting a home in Canada. Early witnesses have included the Chief Economist of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, as well as senior executives from the Department of Finance and Infrastructure Canada.

Infrastructure Committee

In the coming week, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities will hold a briefing on the Mandate of the new Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. The Hon. Sean Fraser will attend along with senior officials from the Department.

The committee is also in the midst of completing its draft report on “Adapting Infrastructure to Face Climate Change,” which CPWA participated in.

Departmental Updates

Investing in Cleaner Public Transit Projects in Nova Scotia

Kody Blois, Member of Parliament for Kings–Hants, the Hon. John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and His Worship Peter Muttart, Mayor of the Municipality of the County of Kings and Chair of the Kings Transit Authority Board, announced a joint investment of more than $11.9 million to support the purchase of Zero-Emission Buses (ZEBs), hybrid transit vehicles, and related infrastructure in Kings County. The government of Canada is investing $4,778,732 in these projects. The Government of Nova Scotia is investing $3,981,879, and the Kings Transit Authority is investing $3,186,220.

Transit Improvement Projects in British Colombia

Taleeb Noormohamed, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville, the Hon. Rob Fleming, BC Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, and Erinn Pinkerton, President and Chief Executive Officer of BC Transit, announced a joint investment of more than $13.2 million to support transit improvements along the Old Island Highway in Colwood and View Royal. The funding will:

• Construct dedicated transit and bike lanes along portions of the highway in View Royal and queue jump lanes at Wale Road in Colwood.
• Widen sidewalks, create wheelchair ramp cuts at intersection crossings, and install crosswalk signage.
• Further road enhancements include intersection configuration improvements, painting, and the installation of new street lighting and traffic signals.

Investment in Natural Infrastructure Fund

The Hon. Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor for Water and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, and His Worship Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon, announced a joint investment of over $34 million to support Saskatoon’s Green Network, which provides people and wildlife with access to continuous, high-quality green spaces and natural areas in the city. The Government of Canada is investing $20,000,000 in this project through the Natural Infrastructure Fund (NIF), and the City of Saskatoon is contributing $14,632,759 from existing funding sources. This work will aim to reduce flood risk, emissions and other pollution, while improving climate resilience, community access to nature, and protecting biodiversity.