Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Invokes The Emergencies Act

[Rick Plant]

Karina Gould @karinagould

We know how important affordable and accessible child care is for families here in #BurlON and across the country.

With our #childcare system, parents in Ontario will see fees reduced by 50 percent on average by the end of this year, saving an average of $6,000 per year.



https://twitter.com/karinagould/status/1565799820694093827

[Rick Plant]

Anita Anand @AnitaAnandMP

It was great to kick off Labour Day weekend by welcoming Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau to our community. We visited the Ontario Sheet Metal Workers Training Centre to see first-hand the important work that they do right here in Oakville.





https://twitter.com/AnitaAnandMP/status/1565827818604400640

[Rick Plant]

Majority of Albertans opposed to ‘freedom convoy’ despite vocal minority: survey



A majority of Albertans did not support the so-called “Freedom Convoy,” according to a recent survey.

And still fewer supported their methods like invading downtown Ottawa or blockading border crossings like at Coutts, Alta.

An online survey of 2,224 Albertans done by Pollara for the University of Alberta’s political science research group Common Ground found 61 per cent of Albertans opposed the convoy’s objectives, and 67 per cent disagreed with how they tried to achieve those objectives.

The convoy blockades in Ottawa and Coutts cleared out in mid- to late-February. The survey was conducted between April 8 and May 9, 2022.

“We did that pretty strategically because we wanted to sample people after the dust had settled,” U of A political science assistant professor Feo Snagovsky told Global News.

“We wanted to sort of see what are the lasting implications once people had a time to think a little bit about the lessons that they thought the convoy had taught them or what they thought the implications for Canadian politics and government.”

Support was split along urban-rural and political affiliations.

Seventy per cent of Edmontonians surveyed were against the convoys, but 53 per cent of Red Deerians and 53 per cent of respondents outside the Calgary-Edmonton corridor backed the convoys.

“This aligns with a trend where rural communities feel disenfranchised or left out from government decision-making, and helps explain why support for the Freedom Convoy was higher in non-urban areas,” Common Ground’s report reads.

More than half of those surveyed who identified as United Conservative Party supporters – 56 per cent – said they supported the convoy’s objectives. Only 14 per cent of Alberta NDP supporters backed the convoys.

“We didn’t find necessarily any evidence that the convoy had particular resonance among rural folks.

When it came to action, very few Albertans did anything. Only two per cent contributed money to the convoys, only four per cent flew a Canadian flag, and only four per cent participated in a rally, the survey showed.

And when it came to social media, “supporters were a vocal minority,” the report said.

"For a certain period of time, the national discussion was really dominated by what this small vocal minority had to say. So it might have created the impression that there was an overwhelming amount of support for the convoy’s objectives and methods, and that’s not the case,” Snagovsky said.

“It’s just the case that the small group of people who do support the convoy were really motivated to support the convoy.”

With anti-government protests continuing through the year, Snagovsky and his team plan to continue to track anti-government sentiment like the freedom convoy’s.

The most recent report on hate, extremism and terrorism in Alberta and Canada from the Organization for the Prevention of Violence noted an increase in anti-authority ideology.

"After years of stagnation, or in some cases a decline in activity in Canada, the anti-authority movement has experienced a reinvigoration, partly as a reaction to public health measures enacted during the Covid-19 pandemic and the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories,” the report reads.

Snagovsky said citizens still look up to leaders – elected and otherwise – and follow their example.

“We know that most people look to their leaders for cues on what they should believe and how they should act. So if political elites are encouraging people or giving them sly nods or dog whistles that this kind of behavior is acceptable, people will continue to do it,” he said.

“It may seem electorally-advantageous to hop on the zeitgeist in the moment, but in the long run, it’s almost certainly going to bite them.”

https://globalnews.ca/news/9101185/majority-albertans-opposed-freedom-convoy-survey/

[Rick Plant]

VW and Mercedes-Benz ink agreements with Canada for raw materials vital to US battery manufacturing



Following last week’s signing of the Inflation Reduction Act in the US, German legacy automakers Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz have sealed agreements with the Canadian government to acquire raw materials for EV battery manufacturing at their US facilities. This move could help EVs from both automakers qualify for US tax credits under the revised terms of the recently signed bill.

Last week, President Biden officially signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law after months of back and forth among Congress. While the dust is still settling on this bill that includes revamped federal tax credits for EV purchases for another decade, there remains a lot of confusion on what vehicles will or will not qualify.

In addition to being assembled in North America, the new terms of the federal tax credit require a majority of battery components come from North America, as well as a certain percentage of raw battery materials come from the US or its free trade partners.

As a result, a list of qualifying EVs that was previously in the hundreds has now been dwindled down to dozens… at least for now. There will be plenty more to join the list as American automakers and foreign companies with US facilities pivot their production practices to qualify for credits.

Two German automakers with US footprints are already making moves with our neighbors to the north, as Volkswagen Group and Mercedes-Benz Group have each signed supply agreements with the nation of Canada for materials vital to EV battery manufacturing on US soil.

VW, MB jump on supplies to ensure US battery manufacturing

As reported by Automotive News Europe, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were in attendance Tuesday when both automakers signed memorandums of understanding with Canada to secure access to raw materials vital to battery manufacturing, including nickel, cobalt, and lithium.

Volkswagen Group states that its agreement with Canada is designed to shorten its supply chains to its current facilities in the US in order to avoid certain tariffs and tax regulations. A spokesperson for the German automaker said Biden’s latest bill played a key part in the steadfast supply agreement, and its dedicated battery business PowerCo will begin ramping up manufacturing in the US with its new “reliable and sustainable supply chains.”

Volkswagen is already planning to erect six battery manufacturing facilities in Europe alone and has long been considering a new battery cell plant in the US near its Chattanooga manufacturing facility where the ID.4 is now being built. The company’s previous plan was to source cells from SK Innovation and its massive plant being built in Georgia.

Mercedes-Benz Group is working with fellow automaker Stellantis, to implement eight new battery manufacturing facilities around the globe and is already manufacturing batteries in the US at its plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Mercedes declined comment on its latest supply agreement with Canada or elaborate and how it plans to use the raw battery materials.

https://electrek.co/2022/08/23/vw-and-mercedes-benz-ink-agreements-with-canada-for-raw-materials-vital-to-us-battery-manufacturing/

[Rick Plant]

Justin Trudeau @JustinTrudeau

Announced today: We’re investing in Sen̓áḵw, a net-zero development project owned and operated by Squamish Nation. Together, we’re building nearly 3,000 homes – including rental units and affordable units – and creating hundreds of good jobs.

More here: https://bit.ly/3BjDxqB





https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/1567314202762567680

[Rick Plant]

Justin Trudeau @JustinTrudeau

Yesterday, we joined Squamish Nation to break ground on Sen̓áḵw – a residential and commercial development project. Learn more about how we’re working together to build nearly 3,000 homes, create jobs, advance reconciliation, and tackle climate change:

http://bit.ly/3BjDxqB

Watch: https://twitter.com/i/status/1567603100940222474

[Rick Plant]

Justin Trudeau @JustinTrudeau

It was with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canada’s longest-reigning Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was a constant presence in our lives – and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history.

As we look back at her life and her reign that spanned so many decades, Canadians will always remember and cherish Her Majesty’s wisdom, compassion, and warmth. Our thoughts are with the members of the Royal Family during this most difficult time.

Please read my full statement:

https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/1567957547512115201


Statement by the Prime Minister on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II:

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canada’s longest-reigning Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“For most Canadians, we have known no other Sovereign. Queen Elizabeth II was a constant presence in our lives. Time and again, Her Majesty marked Canada’s modern history. Over the course of 70 years and twenty-three Royal Tours, Queen Elizabeth II saw this country from coast to coast to coast and was there for our major, historical milestones.

“She would proclaim ‘it was good to be home’ when returning to her beloved Canada. She was indeed at home here, and Canadians never ceased to return her affection.

“Her Majesty vowed to devote her life to the service of the Commonwealth and its people. On behalf of all Canadians, I thank Queen Elizabeth II for honouring this vow and for a lifetime of service.

"Her Majesty’s reign spanned so many decades – a period when we came into our own as a confident, diverse, and forward-looking country. It is her wisdom, compassion, and warmth that we will always remember and cherish.

“Today, a page has not only been turned, but a chapter in our shared history has drawn to a close. I know Her Majesty’s service to Canada and Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history. The coming days will be a period of mourning for Canadians, as it will be for all Commonwealth citizens, ending with a national day of mourning when a commemorative service will be held to mark the passing of our Sovereign.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I express our heartfelt condolences to members of the Royal Family during this most difficult time.”

https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/statements/2022/09/08/statement-prime-minister-passing-her-majesty-queen-elizabeth-ii