EYE ON POLITICS:
Parliament back in session
by Kerry Turner
The Canadian government has completed its first month under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party and now has had a chance to get his feet wet, checking several items off what is sure to be a Prime Minister’s bucket list.
Firstly, Ottawa hosted an international visit from Canada’s Head of State with King Charles lll and Queen Camilla visiting the nation’s capital from May 26 and 27th. The visit marked the first opening of parliament by a member of the royal family since Queen Elizabeth in 1957. The post-war era that marked her official visit stands in stark contrast – and perhaps with some similarities to – the times surrounding the visit of her son. King Charles was greeted by royal watchers at many of the royal stops, including visits to the tomb of the unknown soldier at the National War Memorial and viewing the markets at Lansdowne Park.
The opening of the 45th session of Parliament included a speech from the throne, delivered by King Charles. The speech from the throne begins a new session of Parliament and is usually read by the governor general as the monarch’s representative in Canada. While the speech is typically drafted by the federal government to set out its priorities for the coming legislative session, the Prime Minister's Office confirmed this one was done in "collaboration with the Palace." Attendees of the historic event included former prime ministers Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper – who sat next to each other and could be seen sharing a laugh – as well as Kim Campbell and Mila Mulroney, the widow of Brian Mulroney. Trudeau was also joined by his mother, Margaret Trudeau, wife of the late former prime minister Pierre Trudeau.
The speech read by King Charles included a promise to create “one Canadian economy” by removing internal barriers to interprovincial trade and labour mobility while redefining its position in the world of trade. The government is expected to introduce legislation to lift internal barriers by Canada Day. NDP interim leader Don Davies gave mixed reviews of the speech, reflecting on the positive that it referenced in terms of improving internal trade and boosting the Canadian economy and housing, but described it as “very conservative” economically. The King received immense applause when, in the closing moments of the speech, he quoted the Canadian national anthem and said "the True North is indeed strong and free."
Next on the docket included Carney’s first foray into Question Period, fielding questions from Leader of the Opposition, Andrew Scheer, who has temporarily stepped in to hold down the fort for former Leader, Pierre Poilievre. Scheer was sure to hold Carney accountable, stating: “I would like to welcome the prime minister to his first official question period. “This is where democracy lives, and this is where we provide rigorous scrutiny on every word he says and every dollar he spends on behalf of Canadians.” Scheer was quick to comment on the lack of budget, questioning why Carney, the "man with the plan and the guy we hire in a crisis," wouldn't table a budget before going on "summer vacation." The prime minister snapped back that the 100-day plan released during the election by Pierre Poilievre – who he referred to as the "former member for Carleton" – also didn't include plans to table a budget. Carney said his government's plan includes introducing legislation for "nation-building projects" and one Canadian economy "immediately."
The House was perhaps a new sight for many missing faces included former NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, whose party lost official party status and presented a much smaller delegation. Former rivals, liberal Justin Trudeau and conservative Pierre Poilievre, were also notably absent following the former’s January resignation and the latter’s inability to re-secure his seat in the March federal election. Poilievre said from the foyer of the House of Commons that he'd “never really been a spectator of the House” when asked how it felt to not have a seat at the start of Parliament and that he’d “love to be in there.”
South of the border, United States President, Donald Trump wasted no time in issuing a response in a post to Truth Social that was no doubt inspired by Canada’s newsworthy opening of Parliament; writing “I told Canada, which very much wants to be part of our fabulous Golden Dome System, that it will cost $61 Billion Dollars if they remain a separate, but unequal, Nation, but will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State. They are considering the offer!”
Trump’s tariff war faced a major judicial setback on Wednesday, May 28th, when a three-judge panel of the United States Court of International Trade blocked all tariffs invoked under IEEPA – the “Liberation Day” tariffs Trump announced on April 2 and also the tariffs placed earlier this year against China, Mexico and Canada, designed to combat fentanyl coming into the United States. The decision was based on the finding that the Emergency Order that Trump used as the platform to launch his tariff onslaught to allegedly put pressure on his neighbouring countries to combat the fentanyl crisis was found to be too far apart for justification. Notably, the judicial order does not include the 25% tariffs on autos, auto parts, steel or aluminum, which were under a different law, Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which will remain in place. Before that decision, Carney said the lower court's findings were "consistent with Canada's long-standing position" that Trump's tariffs are "unlawful as well as unjustified." The two rulings – halting the tariffs, then staying (or pausing) that decision – came in under 24 hours, a whirlwind that adds to the chaos around Trump’s economic policy. The US Government and the Prosecution have until early June to prepare their appeal arguments.
While Canadians do not hold the same emphasis on the “First 100 days” as the Americans do, Canadians will no doubt be paying close attention to the next steps of the Liberal Government, monitoring campaign promises made, and promises broken.