Highlights from Crestview Strategy’s weekly newsletters:
Atlantic Canada
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is leading a provincial mission to Singapore, the Philippines and Japan from September 22 to October 4 to help recruit healthcare workers, strengthen business relationships and advance Nova Scotia’s green energy agenda.
The Government of Nova Scotia is expanding the International Graduates in Demand stream of the Provincial Nominee Program to include paramedics and pharmacy technicians to address health worker shortages. The stream allows international students who have graduated from a public or private post-secondary institution in Nova Scotia to apply for a work permit and permanent residency in Canada before gaining work experience.
Alberta
Alberta to explore leaving CPP as report lays claim to $334B, more than half of fund
The UCP government has released its long-awaited report on the province’s possible exit from the Canada Pension Plan to result in the establishment of a provincial alternative. The report, drafted by consultancy LifeWorks, claims the province is entitled to $334 billion worth of assets in the national pot – more than half of its total. The provincial government has hinted at the idea of an Alberta plan for many years, as the province grapples with consistent frustration with the federal government. The plan, however, is not without its difficulties. The $334 billion number is likely to continue to be disputed by other provinces, with subsequent negotiations on Alberta’s exit. Secondly, though the provincial government has promised a forthcoming referendum, the mechanics of exiting the CPP are long – including a three-year notice to Ottawa and the ensuing approval of an alternative plan, the specifics of which remain unclear. The Alberta NDP has also promised to reverse any withdraw from the Canada Pension Plan regardless of the results of a referendum if they win the next election, which is currently scheduled for 2027.
British Columbia
UBCM Concludes
The 2023 Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) convention concluded on September 22. 205 resolutions were conveyed, out of which 160 were adopted either as submitted or with amendments. The resolutions spanned fourteen policy classifications:
- Health and Social Development, Housing, Community Safety, Environment, Regional Districts, Finance, Taxation, Transportation, Legislative, Assessment, Community Economic Development, Elections, and Selected Issues.
Within the policy areas, three core political issues were front and centre throughout the convention: housing and affordability, mental health and drug use, and climate change and emergency management.
Ontario
The Ontario legislature returns from summer recess today. The legislative session returns after a 15-week break that included two cabinet shuffles, multiple cabinet resignations and a notable policy reversal on the Greenbelt. Ontarians can expect the upcoming session to focus on housing issues and investments in healthcare modernization.
This week, the Standing Committees on Public Accounts, Procedure and House Affairs, and Government Agencies are scheduled to meet.
Former Minister McNaughton and Rasheed Resign; Premier Ford shuffles Cabinet
Premier Doug Ford has shuffled his cabinet for the second time in September following the sudden resignations of former Ministers Monte McNaughton (Labour Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development) and Kaleed Rasheed (Public and Business Service Delivery). Minister David Piccini will replace McNaughton in labour, while Andrea Khanjin will slot in as the new Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (while retaining her duties as Deputy Government House Leader). Miniter Todd McCarthy has taken over in Public and Business Service Delivery, and Vijay Thanigasalam has been appointed as the Associate Minister of Transportation.
Ottawa
Canada reaffirms our unwavering support for Ukraine for as long as it takes – September 22, 2023
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, held a bilateral meeting where they discussed Ukraine’s military, financial, development, humanitarian, and other needs, now and into the future. Both leaders reaffirmed the two countries’ partnership and advanced the development of shared long-term security commitments, discussed efforts to rebuild Ukraine, and highlighted the close ties between our peoples and shared values that unite our countries. Prime Minister Trudeau announced a new investment of $650 million over three years to supply Ukraine with 50 armoured vehicles, including armoured medical evacuation vehicles, built by Canadian workers in London, Ontario.
Toronto
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow heading to Ottawa next week to make the case for financial aid – September 19, 2023
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow will head to Ottawa next week to convince the federal government to sign on to a new fiscal framework. Chow will attend a Federation of Canadian Municipalities summit to convince the federal government to join the joint “working group” established between City Hall and Queen’s Park. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland’s office spokesperson told CTV Toronto Tuesday that the federal government is a “committed partner” for the city.
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