Canadian Legislative News

As 2019 begins and Members of Parliament return to Ottawa for the final sitting prior to the election, all political parties have fully immersed themselves into "election mode." However, movement is being made to bolster Canada's infrastructure development, especially in rural areas.

Over the course of January, Prime Minister Trudeau has gone from coast-to-coast taking part in town hall meetings, as has Andrew Scheer, leader of the Conservative Party. Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), is focused on the Burnaby South by-election race where he must win to continue as leader of the party. Polling shows that were an election to be held today, the Liberals would most likely win another majority government, while the Conservatives would gain seats. The NDP would lose almost half to the Liberals.

In preparation for the election, Prime Minister Trudeau made significant changes to his cabinet on January 14, 2019, including the creation of a new portfolio which will look at rural economic development.

Under the administration of Bernadette Jordan, a rookie Member of Parliament from rural Nova Scotia, this role is meant to create a strategy for rural Canada for economic growth. The effort will determine ways to more efficiently get infrastructure investments out to rural and remote communities. The portfolio is being housed under Infrastructure Canada.

The creation of this new cabinet position is seen as a move by the Liberals to build their support in those communities moving into the election, as the Conservatives become more competitive in Ontario and Quebec. For NAFA members who are based in rural Canada, this should be good news should Minister Jordan be able to get investments and infrastructure dollars working.