The next edition of the Ottawa Report is scheduled to be sent on Monday, December 2.
Latest News
The impact of the US election
Canadian politicians are approaching Donald Trump’s return to the presidency with a mix of caution, preparation, and reassurance. While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland emphasized a strong historical relationship with the US, there is widespread acknowledgement of the challenges ahead, particularly in trade, defense, and economic security.
Key concerns include Trump’s potential for higher tariffs, stricter trade policies, and a tougher stance in renegotiating agreements like the CUSMA. Canadian officials are focusing on advocating for Canadian interests and highlighting shared priorities like addressing Chinese overproduction.
Canada and the world face a very different Trump presidency in 2025 as compared to 2017. President Trump will now have unchecked power:
- His team will have experience in governing right from the start and will make use of it.
- He will not face a strong opposition in Congress, since his party holds the majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
- His Supreme Court appointees formed a right-leaning majority in his first term, which remains today (and for years to come).
- Not facing the need to woo the electorate for re-election may make President Trump even more bold in his actions, although Vice President-elect and presidential-hopeful JD Vance may be more inclined to find ways to maintain or expand his own base of support.
President Trump’s early Cabinet nominations do not include any friends of the Trudeau administration but do include several who would be warm to a potential Poilievre administration. This makes the Canadian election an even stronger variable in the Canada-US relationship. Polling currently indicates more Canadians think Pierre Poilievre is better positioned to deal with President Trump. Prime Minister Trudeau, meanwhile, will seek to use the time he has to present himself as the true defender of Canada’s interests amid what is likely to be further attacks on him from Trump’s team. Will Canadians take offence on their PM’s behalf and shift the polls?
Business leaders and policy experts warn that Canada’s strategy must evolve to ensure it remains a key US ally, particularly as Trump seeks to prioritize American economic and national security. Potential policies, such as a proposed tariff on imports, could significantly impact Canadian businesses and consumers. Increased defense spending and avoiding bilateral disputes will likely become critical for maintaining favorable relations. A “Team Canada” approach across jurisdictional and party lines will remain vital in the toolkit to succeed in the second Trump administration.
Despite these challenges, the Trudeau government is positioning itself as prepared, having revived a key committee on Canada-US relations to address emerging issues swiftly.
Parliamentary Business
The gridlock continues
The stalemate in the House of Commons reached its seventh week. The Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre’s Opposition House Leader Andrew Scheer, have stuck to their guns on their procedural filibuster in the House, preventing any government or private members’ business from moving forward in all seven weeks. This has been done through a “privilege motion,” which must take precedence over any other business. The motion calls for the government to provide unredacted documents to the RCMP to investigate a green tech accelerator. The speaker ruled that the government did not comply with the order, which has led the Conservatives to claim it is in contempt of Parliament. Meanwhile, the RCMP have stated that they do not necessarily need the documents from Parliament and that they might not be able to use them. The government has stated that it cannot produce unredacted documents without jeopardizing what is an ongoing investigation.
The deadlock has frozen key legislative efforts, including bills on military justice, citizenship reform, and online harms legislation. The Liberal government has accused the Conservatives of undermining democracy by obstructing parliamentary work, while the opposition blames the government for prioritizing its own protection over transparency. The impasse highlights growing frustrations among Canadians, with members of Parliament (MPs) unable to address pressing issues while political theatrics dominate the national stage.
Federal Funding Awarded
Public transit investment in New Brunswick
A combined investment of more than $1.7 million from the federal, provincial, and local governments will benefit the residents of Edmundston, Madawaska Maliseet First Nation, and the Haut-Madawaska area in developing active public transportation. The announcement was issued on November 13 and the investment will go towards the purchase of a bus, four minivans, and related infrastructure to support the system.
The federal government is investing $1,427,232 in this project through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF). The Government of New Brunswick’s Regional Development Corporation is contributing $179,384, and the Northwest Regional Service Commission, Edmundston, and Haut-Madawaska are providing $177,424.
EV-related investments
Through the Natural Resources Canada’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP), the government announced a federal investment totalling over $18.6 million in 17 Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) charging infrastructure projects, in both private and public spaces.
Accessibility transportation funding
On November 15, MP Churence Rogers and Mayor John Pickett of Clarenville, Newfoundland and Labrador, announced a combined investment of $260,000 to purchase a new wheelchair accessible bus, which is expected to be in service in early 2025. The new bus will be operated by Clarenville Region Extended Seniors Transportation and will provide low cost, on-demand transportation service for seniors and individuals with disabilities. The federal government is investing $208,000 in this project through the RTSF, and the Town of Clarenville is contributing $52,000.
Transit investment in Burlington, Ontario
A combined investment of nearly $17 million from the federal and provincial governments, along with the City of Burlington, was announced on November 12 for greener public transit projects. The investment will support the purchase of 15 conventional, hybrid, and electric buses that will replace aging infrastructure and expand the capacity of the local public transit system. It will also support the addition of four specialized transit vehicles offering riders door-to-door service to better service community needs. The federal government is investing $6,782,156 through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Ontario is investing $5,651,231 and the City of Burlington is contributing $4,522,003.
Climate-change adaptation investment in British Columbia
Announced by the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity of Canada and Member of Parliament for Delta and His Worship George V. Harvie, Mayor of the City of Delta, the federal government is investing $7.6 million to protect people, essential transportation corridors, farmlands, and businesses from increasingly intense rainstorms due to the impacts of climate change. The project will build two new drainage pump stations: the 84 Street Drainage Pump Station and the Silda Drainage Pump Station. The federal government is investing $7,600,000 in this project through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF).