By Andrew Thomson | UPDATED 4:05pmET
Federal ministers update reporters on support to Ukraine, sanctions against Russia
Canada will send 1,600 fragmentation vests and nearly 400,000 meal packs as part of continuing materiel support to Ukraine, along with additional humanitarian assistance, ministers announced today.
Watch the full news conference with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Defence Minister Anita Anand, and International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan:
In the House
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was at question period after last night's take-note debate on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
MPs debate a Bloc Québécois opposition-day motion that criticizes the plan for Quebec to lose a seat in the House of Commons.
Alberta is currently slated to receive three new seats when the map is redrawn based on new census numbers. B.C. and Ontario receive one seat each, putting the new total at 342.
Electoral boundary commissions have been established for each province. But the new maps won’t likely be ready until April 2024.
The Bloc motion:
That, in the opinion of the House:
(a) any scenario for redrawing the federal electoral map that would result in Quebec losing one or more electoral districts or that would reduce Quebec’s political weight in the House of Commons must be rejected; and
(b) the formula for apportioning seats in the House must be amended and the House call on the government to act accordingly.
Watch this morning's news conference with Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet:
Also:
- A private member's bill from Conservative MP Kyle Seeback to "allow a parent or grandparent who applies for a temporary resident visa as a visitor to purchase private health insurance outside Canada and to stay in Canada for a period of five years."
In Committee
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki, and CBSA president John Ossowski appear at the Commons public safety committee for questions on the government's response to illegal gun trafficking and gun crime. 12pm ET / 9am PT
Treasury Board President Mona Fortier faces questions on supplementary estimates when she appears at the government operations committee. 3:30pm ET / 12:30pm PT
Today in Politics Podcast: Mark Sutcliffe and Kristy Kirkup
Canada promises to send more weapons to Ukraine. The Canadian government reacts to veiled nuclear threats from Russia. And Jean Charest will meet with Conservative MPs in Ottawa this week, amid speculation he plans to run for the party leadership.
Here's your morning update with Mark Sutcliffe:
