By Andrew Thomson | UPDATED September 21, 2022 4:49pmET
PrimeTime Politics: 8pm ET / 5pm PT
- Reports suggest the federal government will relax COVID-19 border measures, including the ArriveCAN app. We look at the politics with MPs Melissa Lantsman (Conservative), and Taylor Bachrach (NDP). As for the science, we have analysis from infectious diseases specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch.
- A group of Ontario New Democrat MPPs spent $95.21 each on food over the past two weeks – less than $7 per day and the average for those receiving Ontario Disability Support Payments. We hear from MPP Joel Harden (Ottawa Centre) on their campaign to raise awareness, plus more on the issue from anti-poverty activist Leigh Bursey.
In the House
Watch question period:
Reports that the federal government will drop border vaccine requirements and make the ArriveCan app optional were a major focus for MPs and reporters on Parliament Hill this morning as the parties held their weekly caucus meetings.
Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said a re-assessment of current measures was "inevitable" given their planned expiry on Sept. 30:
À Ottawa, le ministre de la Santé, JY Duclos, répond aux questions des journalistes sur les exigences vaccinales à la frontière et ArriveCan. « Le 30 septembre prochain, les décrets viennent à échéance. Donc, il est inévitable que ces mesures allaient être réévaluées. »#polcan pic.twitter.com/Zg9gV7uoIs
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) September 21, 2022
"We're going to continue to follow the science. We're going to continue to make sure that as we open up the economy, we do so in a systematic and respectful way," Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault said when asked if fed. govt may soon ease #COVID19 border measures.#cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/INgxwTM95k
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) September 21, 2022
"It's nice to see them listening to people who have been saying this for a long time," Conservative tourism critic Michelle Ferreri tells media in Ottawa when asked about reports that federal govt may soon lift #COVID19 travel measures including ArriveCan requirement.#cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/DhAUeUp6wY
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) September 21, 2022
Watch More: Federal Ministers
Watch More: Conservative MPs
Here's what NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet told reporters before entering the chamber:
Also on Wednesday’s agenda:
- Debate gets underway on the government's bill to establish an independent, Indigenous-led national council for reconciliation. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action in 2015 called for the creation of such a body.
- MPs vote on a private member's motion on long-term care
- Bill S-206, which would create an exception to the jury secrecy rule for jurors needing confidential mental health services, returns to the chamber for third-reading debate.
WATCH: Greens outline priorities for fall session of Parliament
Here's what MPs Elizabeth May and Mike Morrice, and interim leader Amita Kuttner, said on Parliament Hill this morning:
PM, Ministers at the UN
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau remains in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. A news conference is scheduled for 6pm ET / 3pm PT.
Watch Trudeau ahead of a meeting on financing for a sustainable ocean economy, along with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Peter Thomson, the UN special envoy for the ocean:
Watch Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault speak with reporters in New York:
2021 Census: Statistics Canada releases data on Indigenous peoples and housing
Canada's Indigenous population continues to grow faster than the rest of the country though the pace of growth has slowed in recent years, according to the latest census data released today by Statistics Canada.
A separate census report on housing suggests the proportion of Canadian homeowners has declined over the past decade.
Watch this morning's news conference with Statistics Canada officials:
