“We will have as our priority the economy, jobs, growth and long-term economic prosperity. That will be reflected in the weeks and months ahead with the cornerstone being the budget, of course,” Government House Leader Peter Van Loan (York-Simcoe, Ont.) told The Hill Times last week.
MPs return Monday, Jan. 28, after a six-week winter break.
Geoff Norquay, a principal at Earnscliffe Strategy Group and former Conservative staffer, said he expects in the first few weeks back that the government will concentrate on “clearing the deck” for the 2013 budget—that means getting as many bills through the legislative process as it can.
“I think what we will see is in the first few weeks in February and early March, likely a clean-up of legislation that has been left over,” said Mr. Norquay.
Some lobbyists said last week they are expecting the government to introduce the budget some time in the last two weeks of March.
Summa Strategies vice-president Tim Powers, a Conservative pundit, said the government has signaled it will be a modest budget with little new spending.
“I think you’re going to hear a lot on the economy, economy, economy. It remains the No. 1 priority, obviously leading into the budget. I think the government’s sending the message that there’s not going to be a lot of new spending, it’s a steady-as-she-goes-type thing and I think that makes sense,” he said.
Environics vice-president Greg MacEachern, a former Liberal Hill staffer, said he thinks that Canadians will be keeping an eye on the budget because of the current deficit.
“In the spring, the emphasis is always on the budget,” said Mr. MacEachern.
The 2012 $255-billion budget showed the government ran a deficit of $21.1-billion and plans to run a $10.2-billion deficit in 2013. The budget also aims for a $1.3-billion deficit in 2014 and returning to a balanced budget in 2015 with a $3.4-billion surplus.
In November 2012, however, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty (Whitby-Oshawa, Ont.) indicated in his fall fiscal update that the deficit elimination could be delayed until 2017.
A few days later, Prime Minister Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) reiterated the deficit would be eliminated prior to the next general election, currently scheduled for October 2015.
Mr. Van Loan pointed out that there have been more than 920,000 net new jobs created since 2009 and that Canada is facing consistent and modest economic growth.
“We’ve done relatively well,” he said, compared to the U.S. and other G-8 countries.
One lobbyist who did not want to be named because he could offer more candid analysis, however, said that aside from the economic agenda, there is little else that’s significant legislatively.
“When you put all your bills in an omnibus bill and pass it, there’s not a lot of flavour left in the stew. We’ve got a budget coming up so that’ll contain a certain element of political policy direction, so that will drive activity … but it leaves the legislative agenda in the House light,” the lobbyist said.
But Mr. Powers defended the government’s use of omnibus bills, such as budget implementation bills C-38 and C-45 that triggered a 24-hour and 10-hour voting session.
“Canadians are more interested in getting and receiving the assistance and the help or the regulatory change they need; not worried about how it winds itself through Parliament, though they do expect a debate and they do get one,” Mr. Powers said.
Mr. Van Loan said Bill C-52, the Fair Rail Freight Service Act, and the government’s remaining justice and fighting crime bills will be the other top priorities.
Other top issues during this winter and spring Parliamentary sitting will be the government’s focus on developing Canada’s natural resources and energy agenda, and finalizing trade deals, such as the Canada-European Union economic agreement. But these efforts aren’t based in legislation and other than debates during the daily 45-minute Question Period, will move forward outside the House.
The fall sitting ended with a KPMG report on F-35 fighter jet procurement, which will continue to be a hot issue.
Over the break, the Idle No More movement took hold with First Nations demanding to be heard over their concerns with changes to the environment and water laws, treaty rights and resource development revenue sharing. Aboriginal issues will remain a top issue for the government and the opposition as Attawapiskat chief Theresa Spence ended her 43-day hunger strike in protest of the government’s failure to consult First Nations on the changes that affect them.
There are several bills on the Order Paper that some political insiders say will move to the front burner, including Bill C-27, the Financial Accountability and Transparency of First Nations Bill which is currently at committee in the Senate; and Bill S-2, the First Nations Matrimonial Real Property Rights; Bill S-6, the Election and Term of Office of First Nations Chiefs and Councillors Bill; and Bill S-8, Safety of Drinking Water on First Nation Lands all at second reading in the House.
Following the 13-point plan to address First Nations concerns the Assembly of First Nations introduced last Thursday and endorsed by the NDP and the Liberals, Mr. Powers said the government will likely focus on aboriginal issues which they can immediately deliver on, for example economic development, education and training and identifying land claims processes close to being resolved.
“I think there’s such a big landscape of things there that you go for the things that can have an immediate impact on people’s lives and also the ones that can be resolved more quickly than not. The PM’s been pretty consistent on that and I think that’s what will continue,” he said. “I think obviously the government wants to move forward with an education reform package that makes sure this fast-growing part of Canadian society is able to get educated and trained so they can take advantage of the opportunities out there.”
Immigration reform will also remain a top issue for the government, as will be responding to labour market needs and how to address some of its shortages. With Canada sending help to France in war-torn Mali, some expect a take-note or emergency debate to take place in the House in regards to Canada’s future role in the conflict.
When it comes to political scandals, insiders say the opposition parties will try to go after the government on issues such as Mr. Flaherty sending a letter to the CRTC on behalf of Durham Radio Inc., a constituent, in its bid to receive a licence or continue the investigation into fraudulent calls made during the May 2011 election, but they likely won’t have legs unless something explosive is revealed.
Original Article
Source: hill times
Author: Bea Vongdouangchanh
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