Highlights from Crestview Strategy’s weekly newsletters:
Alberta
Smith apologizes for ethics breach as NDP seek RCMP investigation
Premier Danielle Smith has apologized for her breach of the province’s ethics rules following a letter sent by the NDP calling for a criminal investigation into her actions. Smith rose in the legislature during a special sitting and issued an apology to all 87 MLAs. She stated that while she had no “ill intent,” she accepts the ethics commissioner’s findings and recommendations. The opposition NDP were unsatisfied with Smith’s apology and continue to call on the RCMP to investigate Smith for potential breaches of the Criminal Code. Earlier in May, Trussler found Smith guilty of breaching the Conflict of Interest Act after speaking with her then-Justice minister about ongoing criminal cases against Artur Pawlowski.
Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Premiers have written to Prime Minister Trudeau requesting a meeting to discuss the disproportionate impact of the federal government’s Clean Fuel Standards on Atlantic Canadians. Premiers met with Environment Minister Stephen Guilbeault on Wednesday but have thus far been unsuccessful in delaying the July 1st implementation any further. Atlantic governments have been sounding the alarm for months over concerns the new regulations, in addition to the federal carbon tax, which also goes up on July 1st, will cause the cost of gas and home heating oil to skyrocket.
British Columbia
BC NDP handily win by-elections in Langford-Juan de Fuca and Vancouver-Mt Pleasant, with BC United coming a distant fourth on the Island.
Over the weekend, the BC NDP took home two by-election wins in safe seats, with Ravi Parmar taking 53% of the vote in the Langford-Juan de Fuca race to replace a retiring John Horgan, and Joan Phillip matching departing MLA Melanie Mark’s 2020 results with 67% of the vote in Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant.
Parmar is currently chair of the Sooke School board and served as Chief of Staff to BC’s Minister of Jobs, Brenda Bailey – both roles put on pause when he was acclaimed as the BC NDP candidate to replace the retiring Premier.
Ontario
The Government of Ontario appearing in Court to appeal Bill 124 Decision
The legislation, which imposes a legal cap on compensation increases for most of the public sector, was appealed by a coalition of labour unions in 2022. Justice Markus Koehnen had ruled that Bill 124 breached the Charter and was therefore void. According to the government’s factum, the government will argue that Bill 124 did not violate Section 2 of the Charter and that, if it did, the court should still have deferred to the government on a matter of substantial public policy.
Ottawa
The House of Commons and Senate have both risen for the summer, with the Commons and the Senate set to return on September 18 and 19, respectively. In the final days of Parliament’s spring session, the government passed several of their core legislative priorities, including Bill C-18, the Online News Act, Bill C-22, the Canada Disability Benefit Act, and Bill C-47, the Budget Implementation Act. The government also passed Bill S-8, which strengthens Canada’s sanctions regime, and Bill C-9, which changes the process for reviewing judges’ conduct through the Canadian Judicial Council. Notably, the government has not yet passed its controversial gun restriction legislation, Bill C-21, which remains at consideration in committee in the Senate.
Toronto
Voters in Toronto go to the polls Monday, June 26 to elect Toronto’s next mayor
1,445 voting locations will be open across the city from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m for voters to cast their ballots. Real-time, unofficial election results will be available as they are submitted by voting locations after 8 p.m. and will be posted on the Toronto Elections Results webpage.
Olivia Chow’s lead narrows in Toronto mayoral race – June 25, 2023
Olivia Chow’s lead in Monday’s mayoral election has narrowed significantly, with rival Ana Bailão getting a bump after being endorsed by former mayor John Tory, according to a new Forum Research poll for the Toronto Star. Olivia Chow still maintains a significant lead with 29% of decided voters, followed by Ana Bailão at 20%, and Mark Saunders in third with 15%. Anthony Furey is sitting at 11%, Josh Matlow is at 8%, Mitzie Hunter is at 5%, and Brad Bradford is at 3%.
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