Today: February 9, 2022

Today: February 9, 2022

By Andrew Thomson | UPDATED 4:31pmET

Watch today's question period

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced all questions as per usual on Wednesday. That included more Conservative demands to rethink the federal approach to vaccine mandates. 

Protest Updates: Trudeau, federal ministers, mayors of Ottawa and Windsor

The Ottawa protest continued for a 13th day, but now mostly silent because of the court injunction against horn honking. Police, though, warned charges could now result from blocking roads.

Meanwhile, protesters restricted access for a third day at Canada’s busiest land border crossing: Windsor’s Ambassador Bridge. That's led to concern aobut disrupted supply chains, layoffs, and food shortages.

And disruption also continues at the Coutts, Alta. border crossing

Here's what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters ahead of this afternoon's question period:

Ministers Bill Blair (emergency preparedness), Marco Mendicino (public safety), and Omar Alghabra (transport) provide an update on the federal response.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and officials spoke to reporters.

Windsor, Ont. Mayor Drew Dilkens and Windsor Police Chief Pam Mizuno discussed the protest blocking traffic on the Ambassador Bridge.

Census 2021 and the House of Commons: Population

Four of the top five ridings in terms of population are in Alberta according to new census data released today, with Edmonton--Wetaskiwin once again the fastest growing and most populated riding.

Rounding out the top 10 for population are ridings in the Greater Toronto Area and southern Ontario; seven seats are Conservative, three are Liberal.

As for the fastest-growing ridings? After Edmonton Wetaskiwin, look to suburban Ontario seats such as Carleton, Brampton West, Milton, and York—Simcoe, along with urban ridings in Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, and Halifax.

Five of those top 10 growing seats are Liberal, four are Conservative, and one is independent (Spadina—Fort York).

Alberta is currently slated to receive three new seats when the House of Commons map is redrawn based on these new census numbers.

B.C. and Ontario receive one seat each, while Quebec will lose a seat.

Electoral boundary commissions have been established for each province. But the new maps But the new maps won’t likely be ready until April 2024.

Also in the 2021 census numbers:

  • Churchill--Keewatinook Aski, Man. was the riding with the biggest population drop over the past five years: 6.5%
  • Labrador remains the least-populated riding: 26,655 people

Watch: Statistics Canada presents highlights of first 2021 Census release (Note: Technical problems with this video originate at the source)

More Reaction to Lightbound

Wednesday is caucus day on Parliament Hill -- with more questions on yesterday's resignation of Liberal MP Joël Lightbound as Quebec caucus chair after criticizing the government's "divisive" pandemic approach and calling for a urgent roadmap for the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.

Lightbound cited mental health concerns from pediatricians and the parents of depressed children, plus the inability of many Canadians to earn a living from a "MacBook at their cottage." 

He also said the Liberal government has changed in policy and in tone since last year's election campaign and appears unwilling to adapt to the evolution of the pandemic."

And, Lightbound said he was not alone among Liberal MPs in that view. 

Here's how Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and others responded this morning: 

Trudeau defended vaccine mandates yesterday as the best tool to avoid further restrictions -- and that following the best available science and expert advice has proven successful in both economic recovery and health outcomes.

Lightbound said he raised his concerns to Trudeau within caucus, but owed it to constituents to publicly voice his concerns.

Lightbound wants the federal government to:

  • provide "quantifiable parameters" for current measures such as the threshold for hospitalization;
  • publish studies and scientific advice underpinning current measures;
  • start negotiating with the provinces on the Canada Health Transfer, calling the federal position "hard to understand" in terms of the timing of negotiations.

In the House

MPs voted 334 to 0 in favour of yesterday's Conservative motion on CP Rail, Saskatchewan, and the call for a constitutional amendment to end the company's tax exemption that dates to the 1880s. 

Debate also continues on the bill to implement measures from the December economic and fiscal update.

C-8 includes:

  • $1.7 billion to the provinces and territories for rapid testing
  • a Small Businesses Air Quality Improvement Tax Credit for ventilation and air filtration upgrades
  • expansion of the School Supplies Tax Credit
  • a tax credit to return fuel charge proceeds to farmers in provinces subject to the federal carbon backstop
  • the Liberal pledge to impose a 1% annual tax on the value of "vacant or underused residential property directly or indirectly owned by non-resident non-Canadians."

In Committee

Defence Minister Anita Anand and Gen. Wayne Eyre, the chief of defence staff, go before the Standing Committee on National Defence. 

Also at 3:30pm ET / 12:30pm PT:

Shell Canada, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, and Climate Action Network Canada are among those sending witnesses to the natural resources committee for questions on a greenhouse gas emissions cap for the oil and gas sector.

Raymond Théberge, the official languages commissioner, faces questions at the languages committee on “urgent issues” relating to the Official Languages Act.

The international trade committee hears about Canada-U.S. issues from the Business Council of Canada, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and groups representing the aluminium, steel, and auto sectors.

Today in Politics Podcast: Mark Sutcliffe and Dan Leger

Liberal MP Joël Lightbound resigns as Quebec caucus chair after criticizing the government’s approach to the pandemic; the prime minister maintains mandates are the way to avoid further restrictions. And Conservatives are split on whether protesters should stay at Parliament Hill.

Here's your morning update with Mark Sutcliffe: