2020 Ottawa Report Newsletters

December 14, 2020

  • Closure of Canada-U.S. Border Extended
  • Deputy Prime Minister Releases Fall Economic Update
  • Deputy Prime Minister Introduces Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2020
  • House Finance Committee Continues Study of Pre-Budget Consultations
  • Health Canada Authorizes First COVID-19 Vaccine
  • Public Health Agency of Canada Releases Guidance on Initial COVID-19 Vaccine(s) Doses
  • Deputy Prime Minister Announces Canada Emergency Business Account Expansion
  • Disability Inclusion and Industry Ministers to Explore Improving Accessibility Requirements for Buildings
  • Indigenous Services Minister Announces New Investments for Clean Drinking Water in First Nations Communities
  • CPWA Obtains Additional Details about National Infrastructure Assessment Initiative
  • Economic Stimulus Plan Anticipated

November 30, 2020

  • Closure of Canada-U.S. Border Extended
  • FCM Releases Recommendations for Post-COVID Economic Recovery
  • Bill C-9 Receives Royal Assent
  • Environment Minister Introduces Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act
  • House Finance Committee Launches Study of Pre-Budget Consultations
  • Senate Committee Leaders Selected
  • Public Safety and Social Development Ministers Announce Task Force on Flood Insurance and Relocation
  • Canada Revenue Agency Opens Applications for Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy
  • Industry Minister Announces Launch of Consultation on Licence-Exempt Spectrum
  • Agriculture Minister Launches Food Waste Reduction Challenge
  • Canadian Centre for Cyber Security Releases the Canadian National Cyber Threat Assessment 2020
  • Infrastructure Minister Announces National Infrastructure Assessment Initiative
  • Finance Minister to Deliver Fall Economic Update

November 16, 2020

  • Prime Minister Announces New Investment in Broadband Infrastructure
  • Three Big City Mayors Offer Their View on the Future of Municipalities
  • Canadian Common Ground Alliance Releases 2019 Damage Information Reporting Tool Report
  • Deputy Prime Minister Introduces COVID-19 Relief Bill
  • Senate Finance Committee Leaders Selected – Other Committees Yet to Meet
  • Senate Finance Committee Undertakes Pre-Study of Bill C-9
  • Extension of Canada-U.S. Border Closure Expected

November 2, 2020

  • Liberals Win Ontario By-Elections
  • Closure of Canada-U.S. Border Extended
  • Senate Adopts Hybrid Sitting Motion
  • Government Survives Votes of Confidence
  • House Environment Committee Launches Study on Zero Emission Vehicles
  • Infrastructure Minister Announces New CEO of Canada Infrastructure Bank
  • Deputy Prime Minister Speaks about Government’s Plan for Strong Economic Recovery
  • Infrastructure Minister Speaks about Federal Support to Municipalities
  • Statistics Canada Releases Initial Core Public Infrastructure Survey Data
  • Transport Minister Announces Call for Proposals for Arctic and Northern Transportation Infrastructure Projects
  • Small Business Minister Announces Support for Small Businesses
  • Date for Fall Economic Update Not Yet Set
  • Additional COVID-19 Relief Bill Expected Soon

October 19, 2020

  • Deputy Prime Minister Announces New, Targeted Support for Businesses
  • Speech from the Throne Adopted
  • House of Commons Committee Leaders Elected
  • Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Launches Online Tool Kit for Workplaces
  • Government Opens Applications for New Benefits
  • Environment and Climate Change Minister Announces Zero Plastic Waste Plan Next Steps
  • Accessibility Standards Canada Releases First Annual Report
  • Extension of Canada-U.S. Border Closure Uncertain
  • By-Elections in Ontario to Proceed October 26

October 5, 2020

  • Prime Minister Announces Canada Infrastructure Bank Growth Plan
  • Annamie Paul Elected New Green Party Leader
  • COVID-19 Response Measures Act Receives Royal Assent
  • Speech from the Throne Vote

September 28, 2020

  • Governor General Delivers Speech from the Throne
  • Throne Speech Infrastructure Initiatives
  • Finance Minister Proposes Extending Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
  • Employment Minister Announces Temporary Employment Insurance Measures
  • House of Commons Agrees to Hybrid House of Commons with Remote Voting until December 11
  • Employment Minister Introduces COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act
  • House Committees to be Reconstituted by October 6
  • New Mandate Letters Anticipated
  • Throne Speech Promises Fall Economic Update

September 21, 2020

  • Canada-U.S. Border Closure Extended
  • Prime Minister Announces Next Steps for Safe Restart Agreement
  • Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole Announces Conservative Shadow Cabinet
  • Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Extended One Month
  • Canada Emergency Business Account Extended to October
  • Transport Minister Announces Investments to Improve Railway Safety
  • Transport Canada Releases 2020 Emergency Response Guidebook
  • Infrastructure Minister Launches Canada Healthy Communities Initiative Call for Applications
  • Accessibility Standards Canada Launches First Public Consultation
  • Labour Minister Announces Changes to Federal Labour Standards for Work-Integrated Learning
  • Speech from the Throne and Vote of Confidence
  • Voting for Green Party Leadership Contest Opens September 26
  • Prime Minister Announces By-Elections
  • Fall Economic Update

August 24, 2020

  • MP Erin O’Toole Elected New Conservative Party Leader
  • Parliament Prorogued
  • Prime Minister Trudeau Announces Changes to Ministry
  • Parliamentary Committees Dissolved
  • Government Extends Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) for Furloughed Employees
  • Government Announces Changes to Employment Insurance (EI) Program
  • Online Course Provides Guidance on Returning to Work Safely
  • Speech from the Throne and Vote of Confidence

August 17, 2020

  • Canada-U.S. Border Closure Extended
  • Parliamentary Budget Officer Releases Legislative Costing Note on Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
  • Pending Non-Confidence Vote in the Government of Canada
  • New Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister
  • Parliament adopts Bill C-20, An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures
  • CPWA Submits Pre-Budget Priorities to House Finance Committee
  • House Committees Continue Ethics Investigation
  • Infrastructure Minister Announces $31 Billion Canada Healthy Communities Initiative
  • Indigenous Services Minister Announces Additional Funding for Indigenous Communities
  • Infrastructure Minister Announces Expansion of Infrastructure Program
  • New Conservative Party Leader to be Announced August 23

July 27, 2020

  • Prime Minister Announces Safe Restart Agreement
  • Canada-U.S. Border Closure Extended
  • House Passes Bill C-20, An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures
  • Finance Minister Testifies Before House Finance Committee
  • House Affairs Committee Delivers Report on Potential Rules for a Hybrid House of Commons
  • Infrastructure Minister Announces Funding Under Safe Restart Agreement
  • Environment Minister Announces Funding Under Safe Restart Agreement
  • Public Services Minister Announces Essential Services Contingency Reserve
  • House Finance Committee Pre-Budget Consultations Due August 7

July 13, 2020

  • Finance Minister Presents Economic and Fiscal Snapshot
  • Prime Minister Holds Virtual Cabinet Retreat
  • CUSMA Becomes Law
  • Government Extends Mandatory Requirements Under the Quarantine Act
  • Finance Minister Announces Extension of Rent Relief Program
  • Senate Social Affairs Committee Releases Preliminary Report on Federal Response to COVID-19
  • House Remote Voting App Could Be Ready in September
  • Canadian Construction Association Testifies Before House Government Operations Committee
  • Government and Federation of Canadian Municipalities Launch Municipal Energy Roadmap
  • Employment Minister Announces Union Training and Innovation Program
  • House Finance Committee Pre-Budget Consultations Due August 7

June 22, 2020

  • Parliamentary Budget Officer Issues Report on Federal Infrastructure Investments
  • Conservative Leadership Candidates Debate
  • Border closure to non-essential travel with the United States extended to July 21
  • Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) extended to 24 weeks
  • Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) applications open under expanded eligibility criteria
  • Prime Minister announces launch of mobile app to help notify Canadians of COVID-19 exposure
  • Karen Hogan appointed new Auditor General
  • Supplementary Estimates – A Vote of Confidence in the Government
  • Bill C-17: In Limbo
  • Procedure and House Affairs Committee recommends extension until July to report on potential rules for a hybrid House of Commons
  • Infrastructure and Transport Ministers Provide Testimony about Spending Priorities
  • Finance Committee launches Pre-Budget Consultations
  • Industry Minister announces Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)
  • Transport Minister announces temperature screening requirement at airports
  • Infrastructure Canada highlights funds delivered through the federal Gas Tax Fund
  • Agriculture Minister announces second call for proposals under Local Food Infrastructure Fund
  • Government launches PPE web hub
  • Transport Minister announces expanded face covering requirements for transportation system
  • Employment Minister announces call for proposals under Enabling Accessibility Fund
  • Fiscal Snapshot – July 8

June 1, 2020

  • Funding delivered through the federal Gas Tax Fund accelerated
  • The House of Commons to meet in hybrid form until September
  • Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses open for applications
  • Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) open for applications
  • Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) eligibility criteria expanded
  • Border closure to non-essential travel with the United States extended to June 21
  • Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) extended to August 29
  • Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) applications open
  • Government working with provinces and territories to boost wages for essential workers
  • Parliament adopts Bill C-15, An Act respecting Canada Emergency student benefits (coronavirus disease 2019)
  • Parliament adopts Bill C-16, An Act to amend the Canadian Dairy Commission Act
  • House Committees Convening Virtually
  • Infrastructure Minister signals desire to invest in infrastructure to drive post-COVID-19 recovery
  • Finance Committee expected to proceed with Pre-Budget Consultations
  • Procedure and House Affairs Committee continues to study potential rules for a virtual House of Commons

April 27, 2020

  • Prime Minister Announces Additional Measures to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic
  • House of Commons Establishes Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic
  • House Committees Convening Virtually
  • Transport Minister Announces New Travel Measures
  • Canada Revenue Agency Launches Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Website
  • Covid-19 Support Resources

April 13, 2020

  • House of Commons Studying Virtual Sittings
  • Bill C-14, A second Act respecting certain measures in response to COVID-19, Receives Royal Assent
  • Public Safety Minister Releases Guidance on Essential Services
  • Infrastructure Minister Announces Leadership Changes at Canada Infrastructure Bank
  • Covid-19 Support Resources

March 30, 2020

  • Bill C-13, An Act respecting certain measures in response to COVID-19, Receives Royal Assent
  • 2020 Budget Delayed
  • COVID-19 Support Resources

March 23, 2020

  • House of Commons and Senate Adjourn
  • Prime Minister Announces Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
  • House of Commons and Senate Recalled
  • Bill C-4, An Act to implement the Agreement between Canada, the United States of America and the United Mexican States, Receives Royal Assent
  • 2020 Budget Delayed
  • COVID-19 Support Resources

March 9, 2020

  • CPWA Leaders Advocate for Public Works in Ottawa
  • Bill C-4, An Act to implement the Agreement between Canada, the United States of America and the United Mexican States
  • Bill C-215, An Act respecting Canada’s fulfillment of its greenhouse gas emissions reduction obligations
  • Bill C-232, An Act respecting a Climate Emergency Action Framework
  • Ministers Appear Before House Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Committee
  • House Finance Committee Tables Pre-Budget Report
  • Date of 2020 Federal Budget Still To Be Set

February 24, 2020

  • CPWA Leaders in Ottawa
  • Bill C-4, An Act to implement the Agreement between Canada, the United States of America and the United Mexican States
  • Bill S-206, An Act to amend the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act (use of wood)
  • Bill C-212, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (special benefits)
  • Leaders of House Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Committee Elected
  • 2020 Pre-Budget Consultations

January 13, 2020

  • CPWA 2020 Public Policy Priorities
  • CPWA Third-Annual Infrastructure Investment and Government Programs Survey
  • 2020 Pre-Budget Consultations
  • Party News
  • House of Commons Returns January 27; Senate February 4