The next edition of the Ottawa Report is scheduled to be sent Monday, June 24.
Latest News
Updated 2024 Wildfire Season Forecast
The Government of Canada shared the latest assessment of the 2024 wildfire season on June 12. The announcement highlights that the wildfire risk in Canada is expected to remain high over the coming months for much of the country, particularly in regions that continue to experience intense drought, including northwestern Alberta, northeastern British Columbia, and southern Northwest Territories.
Parliamentary Business
Budget Bills Making Progress in Parliament
On June 13, the Senate Committee on National Finance completed its study of the subject matter of Bill C-59, Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023. The Committee’s 17th report was presented to the Senate with no amendments.
The Budget Implementation Act, 2024, Bill C-69, is undergoing report stage at the House, but the Senate has completed the pre-study, and the report was presented to the Senate on June 13. It is therefore likely that both bills will pass before Parliament rises for the summer.
National Strategy on Flood and Drought Forecasting Act
With the House passing Bill C-317, the National Strategy on Flood and Drought Forecasting Act on June 5, the bill now makes its way to the Senate, where it was read for the first time on June 6. However, it will likely not be picked up again until the fall.
Federal Funding Awarded
Flood Mitigation Funding
The federal and provincial governments and municipalities of Vernon and Lumby announced an investment of more than $9.1 M to the two municipalities in the Okanagan for upgrades to flood-mitigating infrastructure on Duteau Creek and Bessette Creek.
In Vernon, the federal government is investing $1,326,240 through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of British Columbia is investing $1,105,089, and the City of Vernon is contributing $884,271. In Lumby, the federal government is investing $2,318,542 through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of British Columbia is investing $1,931,925, and the Village of Lumby is contributing $1,545,887.
Newport Harbour Phase 2
The Hon. Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard, announced contributions for eight projects under the Quebec Fisheries Fund (QFF), as well as the launch of the second phase of work to revitalize Newport Harbour.
The multi-year revitalization work is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2024 as it enters the second phase of construction.
Canada-Quebec Sign Community-Building Fund Agreement
The governments of Canada and Quebec announced the signing of the Agreement for the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) for the 2024–2034 period on June 12. Under this agreement, Quebec will receive more than $2.8 B in CCBF funding over the next five years, including $535 M for the 2024–2025 fiscal year, helping municipalities address local infrastructure priorities. In Quebec, the Société de financement des infrastructures locales (SOFIL) administers the programs.
Canada Infrastructure Fund in City of Brampton, Ontario, Peel Region
A joint investment of more than $17.4 M between the Government of Canada, Government of Ontario, the City of Brampton, and the Peel Region was announced on June 10 to help improve public transit in the City of Brampton and Peel Region. The funding will enable Brampton to purchase 15 made-in-Canada buses to replace vehicles that have reached the end of life and help the Peel Region purchase 23 specialized transit-accessible buses and two electric TransHelp buses.
National Capital Region Crossing Projects
On June 13, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, announced that the Government of Canada has awarded two contracts to provide professional engineering services related to two distinct crossing projects in the National Capital Region:
- a $1.1-million contract was awarded to Parsons Inc. for the Southern Structures Renewal Project on the Chaudière Crossing.
- a $647,829 contract was awarded to WSP for the Wearing Surface and Girder Coating Renewal Project on the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge.
Construction work on both projects is currently expected to start in 2025.
