Hello, welcome to Politics Insider. Let’s look at what happened today.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has committed to not proroguing Parliament to take control of House of Commons committees if the Liberals win three upcoming by-elections and form a slim majority.
The Globe and Mail reported Monday, citing two Liberal party sources, that the government has been considering proroguing Parliament after the April 13 by-elections.
But Robert Fife and Steven Chase reported today that Carney told reporters he will leave the committee system as is, with the Liberals in a minority situation even if the party wins all three by-elections.
“Absolutely not. It has never even entered my thinking a possibility of that, so I couldn’t be more surprised to see suggestions that is under consideration,” Carney told reporters Tuesday.
The Prime Minister has been navigating a difficult minority Parliament that has limited its ability to control committee agendas and the passage of legislation.
Membership on committees is decided by the number of seats each party has in the Commons after a general election.
In other news, Stephen Lewis, the former leader of the Ontario NDP who spent decades fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic with the United Nations and through his own foundation, has died.
Lewis, 88, passed away in Toronto on Tuesday, just days after his son Avi was elected leader of the federal NDP.
He had been battling cancer and was in a hospice, according to his sister, Janet Solberg.
“He waited for his son to win. I’m not joking. He never lacked for willpower,” she said.
A statement issued by the federal party said that Lewis’s wife, Michele; his daughters, Ilana and Jenny; and Solberg were with him at the end.
It also said Avi Lewis is travelling to Toronto to be with his family.
Prime Minister Mark Carney listens to a reporter's question following an announcement in Wakefield, Que., on Tuesday.Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
What else is going on
Carney condemns Israel’s ‘illegal’ invasion of Lebanon: The Prime Minister is also calling for a ceasefire, marking a strengthening of his government’s language as the armed conflict worsens and Israeli ground troops move deeper into the country.
Canada must seize opportunity to ramp up LNG exports to Asia, TC Energy CEO says: The United States far outpaces Canada in the race to supply LNG globally, François Poirier said in a speech to the Canadian Club of Ottawa.
Carney avoids describing China’s treatment of Uyghurs as genocide: Carney would not say, when asked at a news conference, whether China’s treatment of the Uyghurs amounted to genocide, as the House of Commons declared several years ago. But he acknowledged the Asian country was “rightly called out” for its conduct toward this minority in the past.
LeBlanc confident Mexico won’t quit USMCA for separate deal with U.S.: During a news conference, Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc played down reports that Canadians are lagging behind the Mexicans in negotiations about renewing the trilateral pact with Washington.
Tribunal approves $8.5-billion deal for Ontario First Nations to lead their own child welfare: This is the first regional agreement to be finalized in a 20-year battle for equitable child welfare services for First Nations across the country.
NDP leader vows to move party left and stop oil-industry expansion: Avi Lewis, who beat four other candidates and claimed a decisive first-ballot victory with 56 per cent of the votes on Sunday, is vowing to rebuild the federal NDP.
Refugee tribunal ruled on more than 45,000 cases since 2019 without in-person hearings: The Immigration and Refugee Board worked off paperwork alone for these claims, raising concerns from the Conservatives and experts that this could dilute scrutiny and compromise national security.
On our radar
Commons on a break: The House of Commons is on a two-week break, with MPs returning on April 13. The Senate is also on a break through April 14.
Prime Minister’s Day: Carney, in the Quebec municipality of Wakefield, near Ottawa, announced new measures to protect Canada’s land and waters. Carney also spoke with Netherlands Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
Party Leaders: In Peterborough, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre held a news conference opposing the Alto high-speed rail project. No schedules released for other party leaders.
Ministers on the Road: In Toronto, Canadian Identity Minister Marc Miller made a funding announcement.
In Toronto, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow announced funding to support efforts to prevent gun and gang violence.
In Edmonton, Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski announced funding for the Alberta business sector.
Quote of the Day
“It’s a good day to be a polar bear in Canada” – Prime Minister Mark Carney in Wakefield, Que. today, commenting on aspects of a $3.8-billion nature-protection strategy.
Question period
On this date in 1958, Progressive Conservative Leader John Diefenbaker led his party to the largest majority government in Canadian history. How many seats did the PCs gain and the Liberals lose?
Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for the answer.
Perspectives
The NDP hopes Avi Lewis will set the right kind of fire to Canadian politics
If Mr. Lewis navigates these challenges, he might have an opportunity. Canadians, after all, take a new look at their political leaders and their options every election. Therefore, every election is a new start and a new opportunity.
— Brian Topp was president of the federal NDP and a national campaign director under Jack Layton.
Is Avi Lewis’s NDP doomed? Don’t write the obituary just yet
If Mr. Carney succeeds, and voters retain their love for the middle of road, Mr. Lewis and the NDP may drift into non-existence. But give it a year or three. There could be more than a few voters who, finding themselves unsatisfied with Liberal driving, are open to a hard-left turn.
— Tony Keller, Columnist
Canada’s partnership with the Aga Khan is worth renewing
Some friendships age into nostalgia. This one is being put on a forward-looking footing by two leaders who understand that in a turbulent world, the most radical thing you can do is build something that lasts.
— Bob Rae is a former premier of Ontario, member of Parliament and Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations.
Go deeper
- Follow along for our stories on Canada-U.S. relations as news develops
- Get the latest insight and analysis from our political opinion writers
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The answer to today’s question: The PCs won 208 seats, gaining 96. The Liberals lost 57 seats, ending up with 48 under leader Lester Pearson. The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation lost 17 and Social Credit lost 19. Diefenbaker was prime minister from 1957 to 1963, when he was succeeded by Pearson.