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Mar 15 2024

Wealth divide. Abbotsford vacancy. Legault’s demand: The Roundup

Mar 15, 2024
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
Canada’s next wealth divide? It’s renters versus homeowners, RBC says
Housing unaffordability in Canada is exacerbating wealth divides between renters and homeowners in the country, according to an RBC analysis. [Global]

In terms of new spending measures, pharmacare is likely to be the centerpiece. While the program will start with diabetic medication and contraceptives, its ultimate budget impact hinges on the extent to which the program is expanded. Beyond pharmacare, new budget measures are likely to be scant, with firepower being reserved for next year’s pre-election budget. The remaining focus will likely be on continuing to raise housing supply and address the cost of living. No major tax measures are expected to be unveiled, though government will likely continue to tout previously announced changes, including to the alternative minimum tax. [TD Economics]
During a visit to Windsor Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke to union leaders about auto investments and anti-scab legislation. [Windsor News Today]

Fast's resignation should set off some vigorous internal politicking among Conservatives keen to represent two ridings near Abbotsoford the party is expected to win. [Global]
The Conservatives announced on social media that Rachel Punzalan will be the party's candidate in Winnipeg North for the 45th general election. Punzalan owns her own law firm and describes herself as "a proud Filipino-Canadian". She will take on incumbent Liberal Kevin Lamoureux who has represented north-end Winnipeg almost continuously since 1988 first as an MLA  and since 2010 as an MP.
The riding, I believe, has more Filipino-Canadians than any other in Canada. Conservatives have never had much success in north Winnipeg and have high hopes Punzalan can be the break-through candidate. Conservatives finished a distant third here in 2021 with 13.5% of the vote.  Winnipeg North Centre used to be home to NDP legend Stanley Knowles. Current Predictionator: Liberal hold by 17 points.  - DA
Federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre will make stops in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia this weekend as part of his 'axe the tax' movement. [Global]

“It’s true I’ve submitted papers but I can’t say anymore about the nomination process,” said Harden, who went on to talk about how much he enjoys serving Ottawa Centre residents provincially at Queen’s Park. [Kitchissippi Times]

The Chief of the Defence staff advocated for more openness on defence issues, but remarks he made March 7 are not being released. [Ottawa Citizen]
From the Provinces
Rencontre vendredi | Legault demandera à Trudeau les pleins pouvoirs en immigration
 Le premier ministre François Legault demandera à son homologue fédéral Justin Trudeau, vendredi, le rapatriement au Québec de tous les pouvoirs en immigration. [La Presse]
Quebec's credit rating remains unchanged for now. [Montreal Gazette]

Contract negotiations between Saskatchewan teachers and the province have hit another snag, along with a renewed round of finger-pointing. [CP]
Elsewhere
Germany Looks to Stop the Far Right From Assuming Power
Mainstream parties are changing laws to protect government institutions. Critics say the changes risk undermining democracy. [NYT]
Ukraine is running out of ammunition in its war against Russia's invasion and NATO members are not doing enough to help Kyiv, the alliance's secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday. [Reuters]

French President Emmanuel Macron says 'all options are possible' in Ukraine, although the current situation doesn't require them. [Euronews]
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Media
There is a growing disconnect between how journalists see themselves and how people see journalists. Instead of perceiving journalists as watchdogs acting in the public’s best interest, people increasingly see journalists as elites who are acting in their own interests. This is certainly the view advanced by the current land former leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada, the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick and many other small-c conservative parties in Canada. [Columbia Journalism Review]
[Letter from the publisher] That means a shift in our paper’s editorial edition. Moving forward, the Citizen will be unapologetically Pro-Prince George. We will celebrate the business, industry, and hard work that have built this city and we’ll celebrate the important role that Prince George plays in our province and our country. [Prince George Citizen]
A roughly $1 billion bid from the former CNN chief Jeff Zucker and his Emirati backers raised concerns among lawmakers over a storied conservative newspaper. [NYT]
Science and Tech
'Old MacDonald went broke': Technology helps grain farmers confront weather woes
Farmers in B.C. and beyond and industry analysts say dramatic swings in weather are hampering grain and other crop yieldsat a time when farmers are leaving the sector, and the only way forward is to adapt with technology. "If farmers are going to beat constant climate disruptions to grow food, they're going to need all the technology available and a lot more that hasn't been invented yet." [CP]

Eclipse glasses are a hot commodity in large parts of Eastern Canada, much of which will be in the path of a rare solar eclipse on April 8. But as the date approaches, demand for glasses is eclipsing supply, and experts are warning Canadians to act soon to ensure they can view the rare celestial event without risking eye damage. [CP]
The Calendar
  • 0900 ET: Montreal - PM Trudeau will meet Premier François Legault.
  • 0900 ET: Three River, PE - Agriculture Min Lawrence MacAulay makes a funding announcement.
  • 1000 ET: King City, ON - LPC MP Adam van Koeverden speaks about radar modernization for Environment Canada.
  • 1000 ET: Corner Brook, NL - ACOA Min Gudie Hutchings makes an infrastructure funding announcement.
  • 1000 ET: Saint John, NB - LPC MP Wayne Long makes a funding announcement. 
  • 1000 ET: Trois-Rivières, QC - Revenue Min Marie-Claude Bibeau makes a funding announcement. 
  • 1000 ET: Rome, Italy, - Innovation Min François-Philippe Champagne speaks to reporters.
  • 1100 ET: Halifax - LPC MP Darren Fisher and Andy Fillmore make a funding announcement.
  • 1200 ET: 135B West Block, - NGOs speaks about the Israel-Gaza conflict.
  • 1415 ET: Saint John, NB - Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks to reporters.
  • 1800 ET: Saint John, NB - Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks to a Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick fundraising event.
  • 1845 ET: Toronto - PM Trudeau will meet with the Tánaiste of Ireland, Micheál Martin
Issued this day ...
… in 1990: Sc # 1269a se-tenant block of 4: Small Craft — 2. Design: Louis-André Rivard. Based on illustrations by Bernard Leduc. 
The second quartet of three issued by Canada Post to recognize the “role played by work boats in Canada’s early history.” Clockwise from top left, you’ve got a dory, a pointer, a North canoe, and the famous York Boat. 

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