Ottawa Report – October 30, 2023

Latest News

Upcoming Federal Fall Economic Statement

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced that the upcoming fall economic statement will focus on housing and affordability within a fiscally responsible framework. The government’s financial statements were published on October 24, revealing that the deficit for the 2022–23 fiscal year was at $35.3 Billion, which was lower than projected. As the government is facing pressure to bring down inflation and spending after the COVID-19 pandemic, the fall economic statement also provides the perfect opportunity for the finance minister to move forward on policies to drive private investment in the clean energy transitions. While no date for the fall economic statement has yet been announced, it is expected to be in early November.

Legislation

Upcoming Debates

• Monday, October 30: Debate Bill C-34, An Act to amend the Investment Canada Act.
• Tuesday, October 31: Opposition Day.
• Wednesday, November 1: Bill C-34, An Act to amend the Investment Canada Act.
• Thursday, November 2: Opposition Day.

Private Members’ Business

• Monday, October 30: Second reading of Bill C-356, An Act Respecting Payments By Canada And Requirements In Respect Of Housing And To Amend Certain Other Acts
• Tuesday, October 31: Report stage of Bill C-275, An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act (biosecurity on farms).
• Wednesday, November 1: Second reading of Bill C-322, An Act To Develop A National Framework To Establish A School Food Program.
• Thursday, November 2: Resuming debate on second reading of Bill S-242, An Act to amend the Radiocommunication Act
• Friday, November 3: First debate on Motion M-75, Polish Heritage Month.

Committee Updates

House Infrastructure Committee Probing Canada Infrastructure Bank Consultation

On October 4, the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Minister, the Hon. Sean Fraser, and senior officials from the Department appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities on the mandate of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. During the meeting, Committee Members raised the issue of the legislative review of the CIB Act and asked for the written responses to the Department’s consultations so that they could review them. While no new study has been called, these written responses will include the submission from the CPWA. We will continue to follow the work of the committee.

Departmental Updates

Water Infrastructure Projects in Saskatchewan

Joint funding through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program will support nine infrastructure projects across Saskatchewan.
Announced by Parliamentary Secretary Terry Duguid and Minister Don McMorris, these projects will support communities, enhance their infrastructure, and ensure reliable access to safe and clean drinking water for years to come. The Government of Canada is investing more than $3.8 million towards these projects, and the Government of Saskatchewan is contributing over $3.1 million. Recipients are contributing more than $2.5 million and are responsible for any additional costs.

Canada Infrastructure Bank Investment in Sustainable Retrofits in Ontario

Canada Infrastructure Bank announced that it will provide a loan of up to $200 million for sustainable retrofits in Ontario, while Enbridge Sustain will contribute up to $100 million. The program will enable building retrofits for “large energy users such as universities, hospitals, municipalities, and multi-unit residential properties” to pursue their energy transition goals and will target a minimum 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Projects will be developed and executed through a partnership between Enbridge Sustain and Blackstone Energy Services (Blackstone).

Sustainable Affordable Housing Plans in Atlantic Canada

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Scott Pearce, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, announced a series of investments totalling $82,300 through the Green Municipal Fund’s Sustainable Affordable Housing initiative to support the exploration of more affordable and energy-saving housing options in Atlantic Canada.

The funding announced comes from a $300-million endowment from the federal government to the Sustainable Affordable Housing initiative, which is part of a $950-million expansion of GMF in Budget 2019. This funding helps housing providers build new, affordable and net-zero housing or retrofit existing units for higher energy performance.