Today - March 2, 2022

Today - March 2, 2022

By Andrew Thomson | UPDATED 4:40pmET


In the House: PM questioned on Russian diplomats and broadcasters, Canadian energy exports, Ukrainian refugee support

Watch question period, where as usual on Wednesdays, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took all questions:

Here's what he told reporters this morning outside the Liberal caucus meeting:

Watch more from Trudeau and federal ministers on Ukraine, the Emergencies Act, and last night's State of the Union address by U.S. President Joe Biden:

Already today the Bank of Canada called the Russian invasion of Ukraine a “major new source of uncertainty” that will add to inflation as energy and food prices rise, increase market volatility, and disrupt economic confidence and supply chains. (The central bank raised its benchmark interest rate to 0.5% after remaining at a record low of 0.25% throughout the pandemic.)

PrimeTime Politics: Pedro Antunes of the Conference Board of Canada joins Canada to analyze the Bank of Canada's interest-rate decision and the economic outlook

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is again calling on the Canadian government to immediately waive visa requirements for Ukrainians fleeing the invasion:

Watch the full news conference

From Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong:

Meanwhile, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet repeated his view that increased oil production and exports should not be part of Canada's response:

MPs voted to adopt the Bloc Québécois motion that criticizes the plan for Quebec to potentially lose a seat in the House of Commons and see reduced "political weight."

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.

Watch Blanchet's morning news conference:

A government closure motion is expected on debate over creation of the parliamentary review committee for the Emergencies Act.

The government has revoked the federal emergency declaration. But the Emergencies Act also requires a special parliamentary committee of MPs and senators to take an oath of secrecy, provide oversight, and eventually produce a report to Parliament.

Conservatives have objected to the committee composition being proposed by the government, which calls for three chairs: one from the Senate, one Bloc Québécois MP, and one NDP MP. The official opposition wants one Conservative MP and one Liberal MP instead.

And debate begins on a private member's bill from NDP MP Gord Johns on decriminalizing personal drug possession, allowing for record expungement, providing low-barrier access to safe supply, and expanding access to harm reduction, treatment and recovery services.

In Committee

At 3:30pm ET / 12:30pm PT:

The Standing Committee on National Defence hears from Vice Admiral J.R. Auchterlonie (commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command), Maj. Gen. Michael Wright (commander of Canadian Force Intelligence Command and chief of defence intelligence), David Angell (Canada’s ambassador to NATO), and Vice Admiral Scott Bishop (Canada’s military representative to NATO).

Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson appears at the natural resources committee as part of the estimates process.

CRTC officials and top executives from Rogers and BCE go before the heritage committee to discuss the proposed Rogers takeover of Shaw and the impact on local news.

Today in Politics Podcast: Mark Sutcliffe and Dan Leger

Harsh words from Chrystia Freeland as she announces more sanctions against Russia are on the way. The opposition calls for more aid for Ukraine. And decisions are expected soon on the rules for the Conservative leadership race.

Here's your morning update with Mark Sutcliffe: