The Federal Parliament has ended for the season with all MPs returning back to their ridings for the holidays. 

We've just published our weekly edition for the two week period from December 10th to December 13th and will resume in the new year! 

This week’s edition covers Education, steel and aluminum tariffs and the election act.

Education on the consequences of hate and intolerance

Anthony Housefather (Mount Royal, QC, Lib) spoke of the increase in hate crimes targeting the Jewish, Muslim and black communities as reported by Stats Can. He also reminded the House that the recently recognized Yazidis and Rohingyas were victims of genocide. Housefather implored the House to call on all our provinces and territories to "Introduce mandatory genocide education so that Canada's youth will learn the consequences of hate and intolerance."

Steel and aluminum tariffs

The topic of the steel and aluminum tariffs was discussed this week as it was one of the tariffs that was not listed in the new USMCA free trade agreement with the USA and Mexico (New NAFTA). Dean Allison (Niagara West, ON, CPC) and Tracey Ramsey (Essex, ON, NDP) both talked about the uncertainty and precarious position that workers in the automotive industry in Canada are facing every day that the tariffs remain in place. The Government did not respond this week. 

Canada Elections Act

Karina Gould (Minister of Democratic Institutions) said it is making our "electoral system more secure, it aims to make it more accessible and transparent." With 170,000 Canadians were unable to cast their ballot in 2015, the bill is aimed at making voting more accessible. Some other elements are: registered and 3rd party spending limits aimed to create a level playing field, curtail foreign interference, and modernizing voter services.

Stephanie Kusie (Calgary Midnapore, AB, CPC) said that the spending limits are "gagging Canadians by not giving them different parties with opportunities to present themselves to Canadians with the information required for them to make informed decisions." She also stated that the attempts to protect Canadian elections from foreign influence was not strong enough and would result in merely a "slap on the wrist" for the violator.