Canada
Bloc Québécois vows not to back Conservative non-confidence motion - YouTube
In Ottawa, the plan by the Liberals to give the opposition a chance to defeat their minority government next week seems to be working out in their favour. Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet says he's not interested in triggering an election and plans to vote with the government. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, however, is intent on trying to trigger a fall election and will table a motion of non-confidence next week. Global National's Mackenzie Gray reports on the political theatre.
Pablo Rodriguez to seek Quebec Liberal leadership, resign from Trudeau cabinet
Federal Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez will resign from his cabinet post this week to focus on his run for leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party.
CPC policy hypotheticals: Canadians see a balanced budget, longer jail time as ‘good’; defunding CBC as ‘bad’
A new survey from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute asks Canadians to assess potential and hypothetical CPC policy addressed at some of the key ballot issues for the next federal election. Some – balancing the budget, lowering income taxes, increasing jail time for criminals, spending more money on defence – are viewed as overwhelming winners by Canadians. Others – the potential of further privatization of health care, defunding the CBC – are viewed by a majority as “bad things”.
Conservatives start process to find Boissonnault’s business partner in contempt of Parliament
After a report found cabinet minister Randy Boissonnault’s business partner failed to comply with committee orders, Tories argued Stephen Anderson is in contempt of Parliament.
‘Deeply ashamed’: Canadian Medical Association apologizes for harms to Indigenous peoples
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) made the apology Wednesday at a ceremony in Victoria, attended by representatives of First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples.
China tried to sway MPs to vote against Uyghur genocide motion
Chinese government officials tried to influence Canadian MPs to vote against a 2021 motion condemning China’s genocide of Uyghurs and even looked to build “profiles” on certain parliamentarians after the vote.
‘Canada does not view China as an adversary,’ ambassador says
Jennifer May said Canada no longer faces the green light of "business as usual" with China, but it's also past what she called the red-light scenario of 2018.
Health Minister Mark Holland appeals to Senate not to amend pharmacare bill
The bill would underpin a potential national, single-payer pharmacare program and allow the health minister to negotiate with provinces and territories to cover some diabetes and contraceptive medications. It was the result of weeks of political negotiations with the New Democrats, who early this year threatened to pull out of their supply-and-confidence deal with the Liberals unless they could agree on the wording.
Issues and Opportunities: High Frequency Rail in the Toronto to Quebec City Corridor
Report No. 18 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
The Provinces
New Brunswick election call expected Thursday as Higgs looks to stay in power
It's anticipated the writ period will kick off Thursday, launching a four-week campaign against a backdrop of political controversy and divisive topics.
Working collaboratively to build relationships and trust
The impetus for reaching out on the part of Elections Saskatchewan was not so much about the technical aspects of election administration as it relates to Indigenous people, as important as that might be. Our focus has been on building relationships of respect, which are important in their own right. Once that respect and trust were established it became possible to take a longer-term view and discuss how to strengthen the voice of First Nations and Metis people in provincial elections. An important op-ed from Saskatchewan chief electoral officer Michael Boda which, in my view, is worthy of consideration by all election authorities in Canada. Bravo CEO Boda
Elsewhere
US government 'took control' of a botnet run by Chinese government hackers, says FBI director
The FBI, NSA and other U.S. government agencies detailed a Chinese-government operation that used 260,000 of internet-connected devices to launch cyberattacks.
Irish far right 'using false information' to target immigrants, warns Policing Authority
In its 2023 annual report, the authority said the stabbing attack on children in Dublin city centre and subsequent violent disorder on November 23 last demonstrated “a fundamental shift” in how Irish society was responding to immigration.
Media
Rogers' MLSE deal a seismic shift for Canadian sports
Changes seemed inevitable to the ownership structure at Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment. The bombshell came sooner than anyone expected, with Rogers' deal to buy out Bell having major ramifications for Canadian sports.
[Press release] CORUS INTRODUCES: FLAVOUR NETWORK AND HOME NETWORK
Today, Corus Entertainment announces two brand-new lifestyle networks launching in Canada on December 30, 2024. Flavour Network and Home Network will offer unique and fresh destinations for lifestyle content, specifically designed and programmed for Canadian audiences. Launching with more than 460 premiere hours in Winter/Spring 2025, the Corus-owned networks will feature a mix of Canadian original programming, as well as international acquisitions through new and expanded license deals.
Science and tech
iOS 18: All the little details and hidden features you won’t want to miss
Apple has released iOS 18, and it’s full of big new features such as new Home Screen customization options, an all-new Control Center, RCS support and other Messages features, and a brand new Photos app. Apple Intelligence is coming piece-by-piece starting with iOS 18.1, but there’s still a lot of great new stuff in this first iOS 18 release.
House committee approves bill requiring new cars to have AM radio
EVs will also be required to include AM radio, despite concerns from manufacturers about electromagnetic interference.
The Calendar
- 0815 ET: 415 Wellington - Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAN) | Meeting 118 - C-61
- 0815 ET: 420 Wellington - Industry and Technology (INDU) | Meeting 134 - C-27
- 0815 ET: 430 Wellington - National Defence (NDDN) | Meeting 113 - Briefing on Threat Analysis Regarding Ukraine and the Baltic Region
- 1100 ET: 025-B, West Block - Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) | Meeting 139 - Federal Government Consulting Contracts Awarded to McKinsey & Company
- 1100 ET: 330 Wellington - Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) | Meeting 123 - Compensation Disparities Between Unionized and Non-Unionized Workers in Canada
- 1100 ET: 430 Wellington - Justice and Human Rights (JUST) | Meeting 112 - Drafting report
- 1100 ET: 125-B, West Block - Official Languages (LANG) | Meeting 108 - Drafting report
- 1100 ET: 410 Wellington - Veterans Affairs (ACVA) | Meeting 103 - Recognition of Persian Gulf Veterans and Reviewing of Veteran’s Benefits Criteria
- 1130 ET: C128 Senate Building - Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade: Situation in Ukraine.
- 1530 ET: 330 Wellington - Health (HESA) | Meeting 126 - Drafting report
- 1530 ET: 035-B West Block - Science and Research (SRSR) | Meeting 96 - Innovation, Science, and Research in Recycling Plastics
- 1530 ET: 420 Wellington - Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI) | Meeting 127 - Compliance of a Minister with the Conflict of Interest Act - Employment and Workforce Development Min Randy Boissonnault to testify.
- 1530 ET: 025-B, West Block - Finance (FINA) | Meeting 152 - Changes to Capital Gains and Corresponding Measures Announced in Budget 2024
- 1530 ET: 410 Wellington - Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE) | Meeting 115 - Committee Business Budget and Planning of Future Business
- 1530 ET: 330 Wellington - Health (HESA) | Meeting 126 - Drafting report
- 1530 ET: 415 Wellington - Public Safety and National Security (SECU) | Meeting 118 - Review of Foiled Terrorist Plot in Toronto and Security Screening Process for Citizenship Applications. Immigration Min Marc Miller to testify.
- 1530 ET: 035-B West Block - Science and Research (SRSR) | Meeting 96 - Innovation, Science, and Research in Recycling Plastics
- 1530 ET: 125-B West Block - Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN) | Meeting 126 - Passenger Rail Service - VIA Rail Canada Inc. Incident on August 31, 2024
