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Oct 31 2023

Tax fight. Housing poll. WeChat Ban. The Roundup

Oct 31, 2023
David Akin's Roundup
Clippings of #cdnpoli, #media, and #tech content aimed at those with an interest in Canadian politics and policy. And sometimes Canadian postage stamps.
Canada
Moe says starting Jan. 1, the provincial gas utility SaskEnergy won't collect or submit the tax to the federal government unless Ottawa provides the province an exemption. [Global]
B.C. Premier David Eby says it's unfair that Atlantic Canada is being targeted for federal relief on heating bills that won't apply to B.C., after Ottawa announced a three-year pause on carbon pricing for home fuel oil. [Global]

One Conservative MP alluded to George Orwell"s “Animal Farm," saying the PM thinks "some Canadians are more equal than other Canadians." [National Post]
Fredericton Liberal MP Jenica Atwin says she supports her own government’s sweeping changes to the carbon tax in attempts to give Atlantic Canadians and rural residents a reprieve from the party’s carbon policy. But that’s as she admits it’s 'complicated' to do so, after staunchly standing up for carbon pricing amid growing criticism. [Telegraph-Journal]

The 10th report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development. [House of Commons]
John Ivison: The social movements for which this government has been the expression are turning against it. It seems impossible that it can stagger on for another two years. [National Post]
On Israel, Joly’s remarks call for a humanitarian pause in Gaza to get foreign nationals out and aid in. She said 400 Canadians are in Gaza, and believes two are being held captive by Hamas. Seven Canadians have died in the conflict. [Global]
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is to visit St. John's alongside European Council President Charles Michel in late November. [Global]
The high cost of housing is taking its toll on Canadians, with 37% very stressed by it. Housing pains are especially acute for those paying down a mortgage (42% very stressed) and renters (52% very stressed).  [Pollara]

the 13th Report of the House of COmmons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities. [House of Commons]
The head of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. says the Crown corporation isn't expecting a spike in defaults unless the labour market sees employment fall significantly. [Global]
From the provinces
Alberta throne speech focuses on fight against Ottawa, new tax bill
The speech asserts the province is at a “critical juncture” where it must challenge the federal government’s draft clean electricity regulations which the province characterizes as an existential threat. [Edmonton Journal]

New Brunswick’s environment minister Gary Crossman says he will retire from politics rather than run in the next provincial election. And Crossman is signalling to Progressive Conservatives in the riding of Hampton-Fundy-St. Martin’s that he has a preferred successor for the party nomination. [CBC]
Reports from the Property and Development Committee show the Winnipeg has budgeted more than $300,000 to change the names of Bishop Grandin Boulevard and Grandin Street. [Global]
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Elsewhere
Israelis Advance on Gaza City, as Netanyahu Rules Out Cease-Fire
Israel’s leaders vowed to destroy Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, after the deadly Oct. 7 attack, and Israeli ground forces are closing in on the city from three directions. [NYT]
A former Israeli prime minister and ex-IDF chief of staff said Israel and the region must work towards a two-state solution - but only after Israel defeats Hamas. [Global]
Hong Kong’s leader is defending the rules for the upcoming local elections as open and fair after an electoral overhaul effectively barred the city’s remaining pro-democracy activists from joining the race. [AP]
A Philippine navy patrol ship has been shadowed by Chinese forces near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. [AP]
Media
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Sci/Tech
The Liberal government is uninstalling and banning apps from a pair of developers after finding they pose an 'unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security.'  [Global]
Michael Thomas: I viewed getting rid of my car as a sacrifice—something for the militant and reckless, something that Greenpeace volunteers did to make the world better. I live in Colorado; e-biking would mean freezing in the winter and sweating in the summer. It was the right thing to do, I thought, but it was not going to be fun. I was very wrong. [The Atlantic]
The Calendar
  • 0900 ET: B45 Senate Building - Meeting of the Senate Committee on Transport and Communications : Study the impacts of climate change on critical infrastructure in the transportation and communications sectors
  • 0900 ET: C128 Senate Building - Meeting of the Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples : Examine the constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples
  • 0900 ET: W110 1 Wellington - March 31, 2024 Meeting of the Senate Committee on National Finance : Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024
  • 1000 ET: GPC MP Elizabeth  May participates virtually in ceremonies marking the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the University of Ottawa and St Paul University.
  • 1000 ET: West Block  - PM Trudeau will meet with his cabinet.
  • 1100 ET: 315 Wellington - Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (FOPO) | Meeting  85 - Drafting report
  • 1100 ET: 420 Wellington - Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage (CHPC) | Meeting  95 - Order in Council Appointment of Jean-François Bélisle to the position of Director of the National Gallery of Canada / Drafting report
  • 1100 ET: 425 Wellington - Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development (ENVI) | Meeting  81 - Freshwater
  • 1100 ET: 035B West Block - Standing Committee on Public Accounts (PACP) | Meeting  81 - National Capital Commission — Rideau Hall Storage Building / Drafting reports
  • 1100 ET: 225A West Block - Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (PROC) | Meeting  92 - Committee Business
  • 1100 ET: 410 Wellington - Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT) | Meeting  78 - Canada’s Proposed Biocides Regulation Trade Impacts for Certain Canadian Sectors
  • 1100 ET: 425 Wellington - Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (SDIR) | Meeting  37 - Unlawful Transfer of Ukrainian Children to Russia
  • 1115 ET: 135B West Block - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh speaks to reporters.
  • 1315 ET: Ottawa - Immigration Min Marc Miller releases the Strategic Immigration Review report
  • 1530 ET: 025B West Block - Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) | Meeting  82 - ArriveCAN Application
  • 1530 ET: 315 Wellington - Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (INDU) | Meeting  93 - Bill C-27
  • 1530 ET: 410 Wellington - Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) | Meeting  80 - Drafting report
  • 1530 ET: 425 Wellington - Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAN) | Meeting  80 - Bill C-53
  • 1530 ET: 330 Wellington - Standing Committee on National Defence (NDDN) | Meeting  78 - Drafting report
  • 1530 ET: 420 Wellington - Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST) | Meeting  81 - Bill C-40 - Testimony from Justice Min Arif Virani
  • 1600 ET: 225A West Block - Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (ACVA) | Meeting  68 - Experience of Women Veterans / National Monument to Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan - Testimony from Veterans Affairs Min Ginette Petitpas Taylor and Heritage Min Pascale St-Onge
  • 1830 ET: B45 Senate Building - Examine and report on the status of soil health in Canada Meeting of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry : Examine and report on the status of soil health in Canada
  • 1830 ET: 035B West Block - Joint Senate and House Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying Election of Joint Chairs
Issued this day ...
... in 2002: Scott #1964a se-tenant pair: Communications Technology. Design: Susan Warr. Illustrations Bonnie Ross. Photography by William James Topley and Charles Bradbury. .

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