By Andrew Thomson | UPDATED 4:02pmET
Joly questioned in Helsinki on Ukraine response
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly holds a virtual news conference with her Finnish counterpart, Pekka Haavisto. The ministers met in Helsinki to discuss the Canada-Finland bilateral relationship, coordinated efforts on Arctic issues, and ways to further support Ukraine as it contends with Russia’s invasion.
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault comments on UN climate panel's latest report
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault holds a virtual news conference to discuss the latest report from the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Charlie Angus, the NDP critic for natural resources, also commented on the IPCC report, while criticizing the federal government's record on climate action. He called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to invest in green technology, end fossil fuel subsidies, and help oil and gas workers transition into clean energy jobs.
WATCH: Bloc calls for PM to meet with premiers on health funding
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet and caucus members discuss the party's call for a first ministers' meeting on health transfers. (no interpretation)
In the House
Watch today's question period:
MPs responded to the evidence of Russian war crimes and murder of civilians emerging from Ukraine:
In the House of Commons, members of Parliament have unanimously adopted NDP MP Heather McPherson’s motion condemning the crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by Russian forces in Bucha and calling on the federal government to provide further aid to Ukraine.#cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/2pGekShgzB
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) April 4, 2022
More report-stage debate is scheduled on Bill C-8, with a time allocation motion on notice from the government.
MPs defeated last week's Conservative motion:
That, given that,
(i) excessive government spending has increased the deficit, the national debt, and fuelled inflation to its highest level in 31 years,
(ii) taxes on Canadians continue to increase, from the carbon tax to escalator taxes to Canada Pension Plan premiums,
(iii) the government refuses to provide relief to Canadians by temporarily reducing the Goods and Services Tax on gasoline and diesel,
the House call on the government to present a federal budget rooted in fiscal responsibility, with no new taxes, a path to balance, and a meaningful fiscal anchor.
MPs also consider Bill C-224 at second reading.
In Committee
Defence Minister Anita Anand appears at the Senate national security and defence committee along with Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre, acting Judge Advocate General Col. Robin Holman, and CSE chief Shelly Bruce. 2pm ET / 11am PT
Federal officials brief the natural resources committee on the government’s plan for a “fair and equitable Canadian energy transformation.” 3:30pm ET / 12:30pm PT
International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan goes before the Special Committee on Afghanistan. 6:30pm ET / 3:30pm PT
Today in Politics Podcast: Mark Sutcliffe and Peter Van Dusen
What pressures will the Liberal government face in this week’s federal budget? Mélanie Joly meets with Canada’s NATO partners in Europe. And what happens next after the Pope's apology for the role of the Catholic Church in the residential school system?
