The last week was very busy in Ottawa with several important NDP-inspired bills joined by the Fall Economic Statement. That statement, presented by the Liberal government to provide an update on its economic plan, was meant to be an opportunity to truly help those Canadians who are struggling to get by.
It does mention $1.3 billion in funding to build an estimated 7,000 homes that people can actually afford, a measure put forward by the NDP. Unfortunately, the statement puts these expenditures off until 2025 when Canadians need this help right away. We should have much bolder investments in affordable, non-profit housing that matches the gravity of our housing crisis. We needed an acquisition fund to keep people in their affordable homes, as well as low-interest financing for post-secondary education institutions to build affordable student housing and for provincial and municipal governments to build public housing on public land.
Bill C-56, debated last week, calls for two measures that the NDP has long been pressing the government to act on: the elimination of GST on the building of rental accommodations and strengthening the Competition Act to lower grocery prices. The latter action is even in Jagmeet Singh’s private member’s bill now before the House.
The NDP is looking for more concrete measures that will lower grocery bills and putting money back into people’s pockets with another doubling of the GST rebate. We want the list of food items exempted from GST expanded and the implementation of the national school food program promised by Liberals four years ago.
So, what was further along the “win” side of Ottawa this week?
After decades of NDP advocacy alongside the labour movement and decades of opposition from both Liberal and Conservative governments, we finally saw the Liberals introduce new anti-scab legislation to prevent the shameful act of locking out union workers and hiring replacement workers. This vital piece of legislation was part of the Supply and Confidence Agreement between the NDP and the government, and once it is passed, we can level the field at the bargaining table, avoid or shorten labour stoppages, and increase the benefits and respect workers deserve.
Last week Parliament passed Bill C-57 – an updated and expanded free trade agreement with Ukraine. Ukrainians are fighting harder than ever for their freedom, and this agreement will be especially important when Ukraine begins to rebuild once they are victorious. The measure of success of free trade deals must not be just the profits made by Canadian companies. It must also include measures that support good labour conditions, good environmental regulations, and human rights laws on both sides. This new agreement with Ukraine does this.
As well, we know the war is a significant reason for food and energy price inflation around the world, including here at home. It was shameful to see the Conservatives vote against this bill, citing a carbon tax concern that is entirely spurious. The agreement doesn’t force either side to have a carbon tax, and besides, Ukraine has had its own carbon price since 2011, long before Canada.
Ottawa can be a very partisan place, too often with Conservative and Liberals pushing agendas for their CEO friends. This week, however, if you can read beyond headlines, there is progress and good work being done.
Richard Cannings is member of Parliament for South Okanagan-West Kootenay.