Today: June 22, 2022

Today: June 22, 2022

By Andrew Thomson | UPDATED June 22, 2022 3:57pmET

Ministers deny political interference in Nova Scotia shooting investigation; Conservatives seek emergency debate

Conservatives are requesting emergency debates on 1) passport delays, 2) inflation and affordability, and 3) allegations of political interference in the RCMP's investigation immediately after the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting, according to Opposition House Leader John Brassard.

Watch question period live at 2:15pm ET / 11:15am PT. 

Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair, the minister of public safety at the time, again this morning rejected the allegation that RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki was under pressure to release details of the weapons used in the massacre.

Watch the full scrum ahead of the Liberal caucus meeting on Parliament Hill:

Lucki, meanwhile, released a written statement yesterday claiming:

I did not interfere in the ongoing investigations into the largest mass shooting in Canadian history. It is important to note that the sharing of information and briefings with the Minister of Public Safety are necessary, particularly during a mass shooting on Canadian soil. This is standard procedure, and does not impact the integrity of ongoing investigations or interfere with the independence of the RCMP.

Several days after the mass shooting, I met with Nova Scotia RCMP colleagues to discuss a number of things. This included the flow of information to RCMP national headquarters on the investigation and the public release of information. It was a tense discussion, and I regret the way I approached the meeting and the impact it had on those in attendance. My need for information should have been better weighed against the seriousness of the circumstances they were experiencing. 

But Interim Conservative Leader Candice Bergen called the story "disgusting" after the Mass Casualty Commission made new documents and notes public. 

Watch Bergen's full remarks ahead of the Conservative caucus meeting:

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called for transparency in determining what exactly was said two years ago:

Besides the RCMP interference allegations, Singh also discussed Canada's inflation rate reaching 7.7%, passport application delays, and other topics. 

In the House

Watch question period:

Also on Wednesday's order paper, as MPs again sit through the evening:

  • Debate on the government motion to extend hybrid House of Commons sittings through June 2023:

  • Second-reading debate and votes on the firearms bill (C-21).
  • The start of debate on Bill C-28 -- the government's elimination of self-induced extreme intoxication as a defence for violent crimes in the wake of a Supreme Court decision striking down the existing Section 33.1 of the Criminal Code. MPs agreed unanimously to expedite all stages of the bill today, with the justice committee studying the subject more closely this autumn.
  • Votes on a number of private member's bills: C-224, C-226, C-228, and C-245.
  • Debate is also expected on a Liberal MP's motion calling on the federal government to: (i) improve the quality and availability of long-term care homes and beds, (ii) implement strict infection prevention and control measures, including through more provincial and territorial facility inspections for long-term care homes, (iii) develop a safe long-term care act collaboratively to ensure that seniors are guaranteed the care they deserve, no matter where they live.

In Committee

CRTC chair Ian Scott, commission officials, and senior Canadian Heritage officials face questions on the online streaming bill (C-11) when they appear at the Senate transport and communications committee. 6:30pm ET / 3:30pm PT

WATCH: Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet

The Bloc leader takes questions on Parliament Hill and recaps the spring sitting with his party's house leader, Alain Therrien, and caucus chair Marie-Hélène Gaudreau. (no interpretation)

WATCH: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses Canadian students

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a virtual address to university students via the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. He was introduced by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland.

Today in Politics Podcast: Mark Sutcliffe and Dan Leger

National security experts say increasing threats to politicians are reflective of a polarized society. The opposition speaks out against continuing the hybrid model of Parliament. And Pierre Poilievre encourages Canadians to keep protesting what he calls government attacks on freedom.