#Election44 Daily Update ' Wednesday, September 1, 2021

• Published date: 07 September 2021
• Subject Matter: Government, Public Sector, Government Contracts, Procurement & PPP
• Law Firm: Fasken
• Author: Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

Annamie Paul Discusses Food Security

Green Party leader Annamie Paul continued her campaign from Toronto on Tuesday highlighting the importance of food security. Paul stated that an over-reliance on global supply chains threatens our sovereignty and national security and called on Canada to replace one-third of its food imports with domestically produced food. Paul stated she would work with the provinces to create land trusts, support research and development, invest in local markets and reduce inter-provincial trade barriers. Paul also stated that food security solutions include a guaranteed livable income for all, universal pharmacare, universal childcare, and affordable housing. 'All of the building blocks for a life with dignity will ensure there is more food security for those that need it the most,' Paul said.

Blanchet Calls on Federal Leaders Not to Interfere With Quebec's Bill 21

Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet was in Sherbrooke on Tuesday calling on all federal party leaders not to challenge Quebec's Bill 21, the Act respecting the laicity of the State (Loi sur la laïcité de l'État). In a statement, Blanchet said that all federal party leaders must ensure that taxpayer money will not be used to challenge Bill 21, including through the Court Challenges Program, and must ensure that federally funded organizations will not use federal money to challenge the law. Thus far, only the Conservatives have stated they will neither intervene nor provide federal funding to support legal challenges to Bill 21.

O'Toole Pledges to Balance the Budget Over the Next Decade

Conservative leader Erin O'Toole was in Ottawa on Tuesday outlining his plan to 'secure Canada's finances.' In his remarks, O'Toole stated that the government's deficit spending has contributed to inflation and put Canada's social safety net in danger. A Conservative government, according to O'Toole, would balance the budget over the next decade by 'winding down' emergency pandemic support in a 'responsible and compassionate way,' and investing in targeted stimulus measures, as outlined in his 'Canada Recovery Plan.'

Singh Continues to Highlight Affordable Housing as a Priority

New Democrat leader Jagmeet Singh was in Coquitlam on Tuesday announcing additional affordable housing measures he would take as Prime Minister. Singh stated he would target home flippers by increasing the taxable amount of their capital gains from 50% to 75%. According to the NDP's media release, the new tax...