Drawing parallels to the contentious 1982 budget crafted by then-finance minister Allan MacEachen under Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Dodge highlighted concerns about the direction the budget might take in terms of stimulating Canadian incomes and fostering long-term prosperity. The 1982 budget, delivered during a period of high interest rates and inflation, elicited widespread criticism for its spending measures, tax policies, and wage restraint initiatives.

Dodge’s apprehensions stem from indications suggesting that the federal government, in its bid to finance nearly $40 billion in newly announced expenditures without exacerbating the deficit, may resort to implementing individual wealth taxes or levying excess profit taxes on affluent corporations.

Expressing skepticism about the efficacy of such measures, Dodge warned against taxing wealth generators, positing that such actions could stifle economic growth. Instead, he advocated for policies aimed at boosting savings.

Moreover, Dodge voiced doubts regarding the efficacy of the Liberal government’s proposed strategies to tackle the supply side of Canada’s housing crisis, suggesting that these measures might fall short of expectations.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, meanwhile, addressed concerns about economic growth and taxation in a speech to a predominantly business-oriented audience. Notably absent from his remarks were any explicit references to potential wealth-targeting initiatives.

The government’s stance revolves around the belief that Canada is at a critical juncture necessitating substantial investment in areas crucial to the affordability and prosperity of millennials and Generation Z, particularly housing and employment opportunities.

Trudeau emphasized the significance of addressing the economic challenges faced by younger demographics, underscoring their pivotal role in shaping the nation’s economic landscape. He stressed the importance of instilling optimism in the economy, asserting that the strength of the economy is contingent upon fostering a sense of confidence and stability among its citizens.

Voter Support:
As of today, the Conservatives command a 15-point lead, securing 40% of the ballot support, while the Liberals lag behind at 24.7%. This represents a notable shift, with the Conservatives gaining 6.3 percentage points since the 2021 election, whereas the Liberals have experienced a 7.9-point decline.

Election Outcome:
Nik Nanos, chair of Nanos Research, asserts that if an election were held today, a Conservative majority government would likely prevail, emphasizing the party’s continued dominance.

Preferred Prime Minister:
Surveying party leaders, 35.1% of respondents favor Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as their preferred choice for prime minister. Incumbent Prime Minister Justin Trudeau trails at 20.8%, followed by NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh at 13.8%, Green Party Co-Leader Elizabeth May at 4.3%, and Maxime Bernier of the People’s Party at 2.2%.

Seat Projections:

Toronto and Ottawa:
Traditionally a Liberal stronghold, Toronto faces potential shifts towards the Conservatives, especially in the 905 region outside the city. Even in downtown Toronto, considered a stronghold, the NDP is positioned to make gains. Suburban areas of Ottawa also show tough competition, with some ridings potentially flipping to the Conservatives.

British Columbia:
In Metro Vancouver, where the Liberals previously held sway, tough battles are expected against both the Conservatives and the NDP. Nanos suggests Vancouver will be a significant battleground. Additionally, the Conservatives could make gains in the rest of British Columbia, reversing the NDP’s 2021 victories in Vancouver Island and northwestern B.C.

Montreal:
The Nanos projections indicate minimal change in the Island of Montreal, with the Liberals and the Bloc Quebecois maintaining their strongholds. A potential seat shift may occur between the Liberals and the NDP.

Maritimes:
Liberals face challenges in the Maritimes, with projections showing potential losses in P.E.I. and uncertainty in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Notably, even traditionally Liberal strongholds like Shediac, N.B., are too close to call, indicating potential shifts in support.

Despite a committee report suggesting the inappropriateness of executive bonuses amid impending job cuts, it is important to note that members of Parliament lack direct influence over the financial decisions of the independent broadcaster. CBC disclosed plans last month to cut 600 jobs and leave 200 vacancies unfilled within the next year, citing a budget shortfall of $125 million.

The ongoing controversy has been fueled by documents obtained through access-to-information laws, revealing that over $99 million in bonuses were disbursed to CBC employees between 2015 and 2022. This financial backdrop adds complexity to the discussion as Catherine Tait faces MPs in the parliamentary inquiry, where she is expected to provide insights into the decision-making process and financial considerations surrounding the recent measures.

Eminent Canadians, as well as former colleagues, close friends and family members have gathered in the nation’s capital to bid a final farewell, and celebrate the legacy and political accomplishments of a giant of Canada’s New Democratic Party.

The former NDP leader and founder of the Broadbent Institute died on Jan. 11. He was 87. Born in Oshawa, Ont. in 1936 into a working-class family, Broadbent’s political career spanned more than two decades.

He was first elected to Parliament in 1968 and went on to serve as an MP for 21 years — 14 of which were spent as the leader of the NDP between 1975 and 1989. He led the party through four federal elections, faced off against four different prime ministers, and helped grow the party’s footprint across the country.

He was also a respected academic, the first president of the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development, and honoured as a companion of the Order of Canada.

The ceremony, beginning at 4 p.m. ET, is set to run just under an hour. It will commemorate Broadbent for his advocacy for justice and democracy in Canada and abroad, his work to address income inequality, and his efforts to advance equal rights for women.

Taking place at the historic Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre in downtown Ottawa—a riding Broadbent represented between 2004 and 2006— the state funeral will include addresses from NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Manitoba NDP Premier Wab Kinew, and the Broadbent Institute’s Brian Topp and Jen Hassum, among others.

Speaking to CTV News upon his arrival, Singh said that amid the grief, it is “a day to honour and remember Ed.”

“We owe him so much. He’s a legend,” Singh said. “He’s helped out so many young New Democrats… people to this day, think of him as ‘honest Ed.’ He created this really powerful idea that that politicians could be a force for good in your life, and he was someone that people trusted, believed in, and he showed that New Democrats fight for working people.”

The event will also be punctuated by musical performances by Canadian talents, including members of the National Arts Centre Orchestra.

The prominent Canadians in attendance include more than one dozen current NDP MPs, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former prime minister Joe Clark, House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus, Green Party co-leader Elizabeth May, UN Ambassador Bob Rae, Sen. Hassan Yussuff, B.C. Premier David Eby, Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles, and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.

“He was a tireless campaigner for social justice, and Canada is significantly better for his years of service, both in politics and out of it,” Trudeau said on his way in, adding that he was honoured to be there to pay homage to him.

Traditionally, while state funerals are held for former prime ministers, sitting cabinet ministers, and governors general, the prime minister is able to offer the special commemoration to any Canadian of stature.

In announcing the special tribute, Trudeau said the occasion would be an opportunity to remember Broadbent’s “incredible legacy — one that will, no doubt, continue to inspire generations of Canadians.”

In 2011, the former NDP leader founded the Broadbent Institute, an Ottawa-based political think-tank. Last week, the organization announced it was creating an “Ed Broadbent Democracy Fund” that will be dedicated to strengthening Canadian democracy.

The non-partisan legacy initiative is meant to continue Broadbent’s work of promoting ordinary Canadians’ democratic participation through educational programs, civic engagement, and leadership development.

To mark the occasion, flags on all federal buildings in Canada, including the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill, flew at half-mast on Sunday, and will remain lowered until sunset.

Revealed during an exclusive interview with CTV News amidst a break from NDP caucus retreat sessions in Edmonton, Blaikie shared insights into the substantial work invested in drafting amendments to the Canada Elections Act. Although not constituting a comprehensive overhaul of the federal voting system, the confidence-and-supply agreement encompasses proposals geared towards augmenting the “ability for people to vote.”

The outlined reforms within the agreement encompass:

1. Expanding the voting period to three days during general elections.
2. Granting voters the flexibility to cast ballots at any polling place within their riding.
3. Enhancing the accessibility and integrity of the mail-in ballot process.

Blaikie expressed confidence that these reforms, consolidated into a single legislative bill, could be ratified in time for the impending federal election.

However, details regarding the scope of the reforms and the timeline for their implementation remain undisclosed. It is uncertain whether the changes will directly address voting accessibility or initiate a process for further examination. Discussions with Elections Canada have reportedly centered on the practicality of implementing these proposed changes.

A pivotal proposal currently under negotiation involves expanding the number of days available for Canadians to cast their ballots. While specifics were not divulged, considerations include a voting weekend, extended voting hours, or additional advance polling dates closer to the election day.

Blaikie underscored the objective of enhancing voting accessibility and emphasized the importance of gathering insights from Elections Canada regarding potential impacts on their operations.

Motivating the push for allowing voters to cast ballots at any polling place in their riding is Blaikie’s firsthand experience of witnessing potential voters being turned away in previous campaigns. With modern verification technologies, he believes this policy can be revised without compromising electoral integrity.

While potential amendments could be consolidated into a more comprehensive bill, both parties remain cautious about endorsing measures that deviate from their agreed-upon reforms. As negotiations continue, specifics about the timeline and draft legislation remain undisclosed. LeBlanc’s office has confirmed the ongoing work on the legislation, assuring further communication on next steps in due course.

According to spokesperson Jean-Sébastien Comeau, “Access to the vote is a fundamental principle of Canadian democracy, and our government is committed to further strengthening it.”

Northwest Territories Liberal MP Michael McLeod proposed the idea of a routine post-election review to assess MPs’ commitment. He acknowledged the prime minister’s credibility with voters but emphasized the importance of ongoing evaluation.

Ontario Liberal MP Vance Badawey, however, focused on improving governance rather than politics, stating that he doesn’t see the need for a leadership review at present.

The debate intensified following comments by Liberal Newfoundland MP Ken McDonald, who suggested a leadership review in an interview with Radio-Canada. Later, McDonald clarified that he wasn’t personally calling for a review but acknowledged Trudeau’s smart political acumen.

Chief Government Whip Ruby Sahota and Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon disputed McDonald’s stance, emphasizing unity within the Liberal caucus. Despite some differences of opinion, MPs like Labrador MP Yvonne Jones stressed the party’s values and principles, declaring it more substantial than any individual.

This isn’t the first time concerns over Trudeau’s leadership have surfaced within the Liberal party. In November, amid declining poll numbers, longtime Liberal Sen. Percy Downe suggested Trudeau might consider stepping down to allow a new leader to emerge.

Despite internal challenges, Trudeau has reiterated his intention to lead the Liberal party into the next federal election in October 2025. The prime minister is expected to address these concerns and deliver opening remarks at the Liberal caucus retreat. The ongoing dialogue highlights the complexities and tensions within the caucus as it navigates the path forward under Trudeau’s leadership.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller stated in a news release, “This law, as it currently stands, has had unacceptable consequences for Canadians whose children were born outside the country. For this reason, we will not appeal the ruling.”

The court case, initiated by families living abroad affected by the limit, received widespread support. Toronto-based constitutional lawyer Sujit Choudhry, representing the families, noted their sense of vindication and relief following the government’s decision.

The first generation limit, introduced in 2009 by then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper, aimed to ensure a “real connection” to Canada. However, Justice Jasmine Akbarali’s recent ruling found it in violation of Charter rights, specifically related to mobility and equality.

Choudhry emphasized the difficulty faced by “lost Canadians” abroad, who now have a second-class citizenship status. While the exact number of affected individuals is unclear, the 2021 census indicated over 322,000 Canadians by descent residing in Canada.

The court ruling necessitates the federal government to repeal the limit within six months. Notably, Bill S-245, currently in Parliament, proposes amendments allowing second-generation Canadians born abroad to transmit citizenship if they can demonstrate a “substantial connection with Canada.”

Choudhry suggested a straightforward parliamentary process to implement the amendments. Immigration Minister Miller assured ongoing assessment of the ruling’s impact on existing legislation, promising prompt updates on the next steps.

The decision was made during a special hearing where MPs emphasized concerns about transparency and changing narratives from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Conservative MP and ethics critic Michael Barrett led the push for an inquiry, expressing the need for clarity on whether the commissioner knew about Trudeau’s free stay at a villa owned by a long-time family friend.

The scope of the hearing, while primarily centered on MPs’ ethics rules, will include questions related to Trudeau’s holiday trip. It remains uncertain whether this one-time hearing could evolve into a more comprehensive study based on revelations during the meeting.

Liberal MPs support calling the ethics commissioner to clarify MPs’ ethics rules, aiming to provide Canadians with a clear understanding of permissible actions. Meanwhile, New Democrats advocate for a broader exploration, considering recent examples of travel by politicians and potential adjustments to rules regarding influence from the wealthy.

The study comes after the Official Opposition wrote to the conflict of interest and ethics commissioner, urging an investigation into Trudeau’s shifting messaging on the cost of his 10-day family vacation. While Trudeau’s office did not disclose the vacation’s location, reports suggest a privately-owned villa within a resort tied to businessman Peter Green’s family.

Efforts by the Conservatives to request all correspondence between Trudeau’s office and the ethics commissioner regarding the trip were defeated. Concerns were raised about the confidentiality of MPs’ consultations with the commissioner.

Trudeau, departing on Boxing Day, asserted that his family would pay for the stay, later clarifying that it was provided “at no cost at a location owned by family friends.” The PMO affirmed consulting the ethics commissioner beforehand to ensure compliance with rules.

Documents detailing expenses from Trudeau’s 2022 Jamaica trip, with a cost of approximately $162,000, have been tabled in the House of Commons. The ethics office, while confirming consultations, maintains its role in observing gift provisions, not approving vacations.

Questions linger about whether the vacation aligns with the Conflict of Interest Act, which prohibits public office-holders from accepting gifts that might reasonably appear to influence them. Exceptions exist for family and friends, raising further considerations to be explored during the upcoming hearing at the end of January. The discrepancy in statements between the ethics office and the Liberals adds complexity to the discussion.

The NDP and Liberals had entered into a deal in March 2022, with the NDP pledging support to the minority Liberals on crucial parliamentary votes in exchange for action on NDP policy priorities. This collaboration has resulted in initiatives such as a national dental-care program, one-time rental supplements, a temporary GST rebate increase, legislation against replacement workers, and investments in an Indigenous-led housing strategy. The agreement is set to remain in force until 2025, aligning with the anticipated federal election by October of that year.

Singh stated that observing the Liberals up close through this agreement has reinforced his belief that more can be done to improve Canadians’ lives. Expressing heightened motivation, Singh declared his aspiration to become the next prime minister.

While current polls indicate potential majority territory for the Opposition Conservatives, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau maintains that the next election will follow the fixed-date schedule, scheduled for the fall of 2025. Trudeau, when asked about a possible post-election coalition with the NDP, highlighted the need to let Canadians decide the parliamentary composition. He emphasized the effectiveness of the Liberal government’s accomplishments and fiscal responsibility, anticipating that such achievements would resonate in Canadian politics for years to come.

In the latter part of the year, Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives took the lead over the Liberals in polls by a double-digit margin. This shift occurred as housing and the rising cost of living emerged as pressing concerns for Canadians. The declining support for the Liberals raised questions about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s ability to lead the party into the next scheduled election in the fall of 2025. Meanwhile, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh secured a confidence-and-supply deal, leading to policy wins like dental care, but the party’s standing in polls remained relatively unchanged from about a year ago.

On a recent episode of CTV’s Question Period, a panel of political strategists provided letter grades for the three prominent federal leaders.

Scott Reid, CTV News political analyst and former communications director to Prime Minister Paul Martin, gave Trudeau a “D.” Reid characterized the year as a significant challenge for the prime minister, emphasizing that 2024 needs to be markedly different from 2023.

Kory Teneycke, Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s campaign manager and former director of communications for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, awarded Poilievre an “A.” Teneycke commended the Conservative leader for a phenomenal year, citing the substantial lead gained in the polls and attributing credit to both Poilievre and his team for their discipline, strategy, and overall performance.

Kathleen Monk, former NDP strategist and director of communications to the late Jack Layton, assigned Singh a “B-” but acknowledged a “grade of distinction or merit” for his policy achievements. Monk highlighted Singh’s policy successes, particularly in securing dental care, while expressing concern about the party’s fundraising numbers and potential challenges in keeping the caucus together around the confidence-and-supply agreement.

The assessments provided a nuanced view of each leader’s performance, considering political challenges, policy achievements, and overall effectiveness in navigating the dynamic landscape of Canadian politics in 2023.