Government News

1. The Samuel De Champlain Bridge turns off its architectural lighting to mark Earth Hour 

   Montréal, Quebec, March 24, 2023— On March 25, the architectural lighting of the Samuel De Champlain Bridge will be switched off from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in support of Earth Hour. Safety lighting will remain on.

2. Treasury Board Secretariat update on review of contracts with McKinsey & Company

   Treasury Board Secretariat update on review of contracts with McKinsey & Company

3. ­­The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, former Governor General of Canada, will provide the keynote address at Canada’s Procurement Ombudsman Diversifying the Federal Supply Chain Summit

   The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, former Governor General of Canada, will provide the keynote address at Canada’s Procurement Ombudsman Diversifying the Federal Supply Chain Summit on April 4 and 5, 2023.

4. Canada invests in improvements to Comox’s Community Centre 

   Today, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, and Her Worship Nicole Minions, Mayor of the Town of Comox, announced a joint investment of more than $485,000 to modernize the Comox Community Centre.

5. Government of Canada launches call for applications for the National Advisory Council on Poverty

   Since before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada has taken action to fight poverty, support Canadians and strengthen the economy. The results speak for themselves: Canada’s overall poverty rate decreased substantially between 2015 and 2020, falling from 14.5% to 6.4%. This represents close to 2.7 million Canadians lifted out of poverty, including 782,000 children and 187,000 seniors. These are encouraging results. It is important to consider them in the context of the pandemic, during which unprecedented income support measures were put in place.

6. New electric school buses for students in St. Albert

   St. Albert, Alberta, March 23, 2023 – Today, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, and Duncan McIntyre, CEO of Highland Electric Fleets, announced more than $2.9 million in joint funding for the purchase of five zero emission school buses and related charging infrastructure to service the St. Albert Public School Division.

7. Minister O’Regan releases the What We Heard Report on Developing Greater Labour Protections for Gig Workers 

   Every day, more and more Canadian workers are taking on gig work—casual work arrangements involving specific and often one-off tasks, frequently through digital platforms.

8. Service Canada works to improve client experience for passport applicants

   In learning the lessons of a very challenging period, and applying them for the future, this Government is setting up the passport program to be more reliable, more flexible, and more capable of serving Canadians effectively for years to come. Today, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Karina Gould, announced the launch of a new online Passport Application Status Checker.

9. Backgrounder on 10-day passport pick-up service at Service Canada Centres

   Beginning in August 2022, Service Canada started to roll out 10-day passport pick-up service at 13 Service Canada Centres across the country. Canadians can apply for a passport at these locations and receive it after 10 business days. The passport can either be mailed or be picked up in person.

10. Minister Wilkinson Celebrates International Day of Forests With Over 400,000 More Trees to Be Planted Across Canada

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced more than $2.2 million in funding to ALUS to plant more than 400,000 trees on marginal farmland in 13 communities across Canada. The contribution is through the 2 Billion Trees program, which supports program recipients in planting two billion trees for a better tomorrow.

11. Government of Canada invests in a Battery Electric Bus Feasibility Study in Belleville

    Belleville, ON, March 21, 2023 — Today, Jennifer O'Connell, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, and His Worship Neil Ellis, Mayor of the City of Belleville, announced a federal investment of more than $150,000 to conduct a battery electric bus feasibility study and build a fleet transition plan project for the City of Belleville.

12. Federal minimum wage rising to $16.65 on April 1

    Every Canadian deserves a real and fair chance at success. Yet some Canadian workers still struggle financially while working part-time, temporary and low- or minimum-wage jobs.

13. Minister Gould to make an announcement and provide an update on passport service delivery

    The Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Karina Gould, will provide an update on passport service delivery.

14. National Seniors Council launches consultations on Aging at Home

    Canadians are living longer and healthier lives than previous generations and many want to live independently, in their homes they built, in the communities that support them, for as long as possible. Helping Canadians age closer to home and family by supporting access to home care is a priority for our government.

15. Government of Canada invests in the modernization of St. Albert Place 

    St. Albert, Alberta, March 20, 2023 — Today, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, and Her Worship Cathy Heron, Mayor of St. Albert, announced more than $13.9 million in joint funding to retrofit St. Albert Place, St. Albert’s main community hub.

16. Samuel De Champlain Bridge: Special Illumination for the International Day of La Francophonie

    Montréal, Quebec, March 19, 2023 — On March 20, the Samuel De Champlain Bridge will be lit up in green, blue, red, and purple from sunset to 9 p.m. to recognize the International Day of La Francophonie.

17. Minister of Transport announces funding in British Columbia to improve rail capacity for the agriculture sector

    An efficient and reliable transportation system is essential to making life more affordable for Canadians and to combat the rising cost of living.

18. Canada, Nova Scotia and Inverness County invest in new wastewater treatment facility and water distribution systems upgrades

    Inverness, Nova Scotia, March, 17, 2023—Today, Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton–Canso; the Honourable Allan MacMaster, Deputy Premier of Nova Scotia and Member of the Legislative Assembly for Inverness; and Bonny MacIsaac, Warden of the Municipality of the County of Inverness, announced a combined investment of more than $24 million to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure in Inverness.

19. The Government of Canada and the City of Saskatoon invest in active transportation infrastructure

    Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, March 17, 2023 — Today, Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, and Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon, announced a joint investment of more than $2.6 million to support the construction of pedestrian and cycling infrastructure on Dudley Street between Dawes Avenue and Spadina Crescent in Saskatoon.

20. Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in Saskatoon

    Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, and Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon.

21. Government of Canada and City of Vancouver invest in Vancouver’s resilience to climate change

    City of Vancouver, British Columbia, March 16, 2023—Today, Taleeb Noormohamed, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville, His Worship Ken Sim, Mayor of the City of Vancouver, and Scott Jensen, Chair of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, announced a joint investment of more than $36.2 million towards the City of Vancouver’s Rain City Strategy, which outlines a series of actions to improve the city’s water quality, increase resilience to climate change, and enhance ecosystems.

22. Samuel De Champlain Bridge: Special Illumination for St. Patrick’s Day

    Montréal, Quebec, March 16, 2023 — On March 17, the Samuel De Champlain Bridge will be lit up in green from sunset to 9 p.m. to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and recognize the contributions made by Canadians of Irish descent.

23. Government of Canada announces $38.3M research investment to support brain health

    Dementia is having a substantial and growing impact in Canada and around the world. Based on current trends, by 2030, the number of people living with dementia will nearly double.

24. Brain Health and Cognitive Impairment in Aging (BHCIA) Research Initiative

    The Brain Health and Cognitive Impairment in Aging (BHCIA) Research Initiative will study the brain as it ages and help identify and reduce the risks of cognitive impairment in aging, in the hopes of improving the care and services for people who have trouble remembering, thinking clearly, learning new things, or making decisions that affect their everyday life.

25. Canada invests in upgrades to Vancouver–Simon Fraser University (SFU) Active Transportation Connection

    Burnaby, British Columbia, March 16, 2023 — Today, Terry Beech, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Burnaby North—Seymour, and His Worship Mike Hurley, Mayor of Burnaby, announced a federal investment of more than $5.7 million to upgrade the Vancouver–Simon Fraser University (SFU) Active Transportation Connection to All Ages and Abilities (AAA) infrastructure standards.

26. Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in Burnaby

    Burnaby, British Columbia, March 15, 2023 — Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with Terry Beech, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Burnaby North—Seymour, and His Worship Mike Hurley, Mayor of Burnaby.

27. Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in the City of Vancouver

    City of Vancouver, British Columbia, March 15, 2023 — Members of the media are invited to attend an infrastructure announcement with Taleeb Noormohamed, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville, and His Worship Ken Sim, Mayor of the City of Vancouver.

28. Minister Khera to announce research investment to support brain health

    March 16, 2023 – Toronto, Ontario – The Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Seniors, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, will announce a new research investment that will support the complex care needs of older adults living with dementia and other forms of cognitive impairment.

29. Canada and British Columbia invest in new centralized Provincial Distribution Centre for BC Transit bus fleet

    Colwood, British Columbia, March 15, 2023 — Today, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, the Honourable Rob Fleming, British Columbia’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, and Erinn Pinkerton, President and CEO of BC Transit, announced a joint investment of more than $20.6 million towards a central Provincial Distribution Centre in Colwood.

30. Federal funding will enable the renovation of the Centre Edmond E. Landry in Rivière-du-Nord

    Today, Serge Cormier, Member of Parliament for Acadie—Bathurst, and the Honourable Daniel Allain, Minister of Local Government and Local Governance Reform, announced a federal investment of more than $290,000 to renovate the Centre Edmond E. Landry in Rivière-du-Nord, formerly known as the Village of Grande-Anse.

31. Canadian fish and seafood highlighted at Seafood Expo North America 

    Home to the world’s longest coastline and bordering three oceans, Canada produces some of the highest-quality seafood in the world. With rigorous standards for sustainability, conservation and food safety, our premium fish and seafood continues to be prized around the world. In 2022, Canadians worked hard to export over $8 billion worth of fish and seafood to 112 countries.

32. Samuel De Champlain Bridge: Special Illumination in memory of the victims of the Amqui tragedy

    Tonight, the Samuel De Champlain Bridge will be lit in purple from sunset to 9 p.m. in memory of the victims and all those affected by the tragedy in Amqui.

33. Government of Canada to make an important funding announcement about supply chain improvements in the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region

    WINNIPEG – The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, Mr. Terry Duguid, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg North, Mr. Kevin Lamoureux, and Kenneth W. Mariash Senior, Developer and Owner of Focus Equities Inc., will make an important funding announcement about improving Canada’s supply chains.

34. Canada invests in new multi-use path for cyclists and pedestrians in Port Coquitlam

    Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, March 14, 2023 — Today, Ron McKinnon, Member of Parliament for Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, and His Worship Brad West, Mayor of Port Coquitlam, announced a federal investment of $840,000 to support the development of a 1.5km multi-use path along Prairie Avenue in Port Coquitlam.

35. Tribunal Initiates Expiry Review—Steel Piling Pipe from China

    The Canadian International Trade Tribunal today initiated an expiry review of its order made on July 4, 2018, in expiry review RR-2017-003, to determine if the expiry of the order is likely to lead to continued or resumed dumping or subsidizing of steel piling pipe from the People’s Republic of China and is likely to result in injury to the domestic industry.

36. Canada and Nova Scotia invest in water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades in Region of Queens Municipality

    Region of Queens Municipality, Nova Scotia, March 13, 2023—Today, Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West, the Honourable Kim Masland, Minister of Public Works, and Her Worship Darlene Norman, Mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality, announced more than $2.6 million in joint funding for water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades in the Region of Queens Municipality.

37. Canada invests in safety improvements for cyclists and pedestrians along Surrey’s King George Boulevard

    Today, Randeep Sarai, Member of Parliament for Surrey Centre, and Her Worship Brenda Locke, Mayor of Surrey, announced a federal investment of more than $6.5 million to make King George Boulevard safer for active transportation users.

38. Upgraded wastewater and active transportation infrastructure to benefit residents of Town of Lunenburg and Municipality of the District of Lunenburg

    Cookville, Nova Scotia, March 13, 2023— Today, Kody Blois, Member of Parliament for Kings—Hants, the Honourable Susan Corkum-Greek, Minister of Economic Development and Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lunenburg, Her Worship Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, Mayor of the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, and His Worship Matt Risser, Mayor of the Town of Lunenburg, announced a combined investment of more than $28.8 million to upgrade wastewater and active transportation infrastructure in the Town of Lunenburg and the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg.

39. Upgraded wastewater and active transportation infrastructure to benefit residents of Town of Lunenburg and the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg

    The Government of Canada is investing $11,531,139 through the Green Infrastructure Stream and the Rural and Northern Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to support two wastewater infrastructure projects and one active transportation infrastructure project in the Town of Lunenburg and the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg.

40. Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in Surrey

    Members of the media are invited to attend an infrastructure announcement with Randeep Sarai, Member of Parliament for Surrey Centre, and Her Worship Brenda Locke, Mayor of Surrey.

41. Minister Marci Ien gives update on the progress of the 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan and announces funding for community organizations

    Every Canadian, including 2SLGBTQI+ people, deserves to fully participate in all spheres of society, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. Though, far too often, these communities face discrimination, violence, and barriers that do not allow them to fully participate in the social, political, and economic aspects of society.

42. Minister Ien to give update on the progress of the 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan and announce funding for local projects

    Members of the media are invited to join the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, for an update on the progress of 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan and an important announcement regarding funding to support two 2SLGBTQI+ projects.

43. Patented Medicine Prices Review Board seeks applicants for vacant Board positions

    The Government of Canada is seeking applicants for the Vice Chairperson position and two Board Member positions on the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board by way of open, transparent, and merit-based Governor in Council selection processes.

44. Canada invests in Indigenous-led active transportation projects in northern British Columbia

    Nisga’a Village of Gitlaxt’aamiks, British Columbia, March 10, 2023 — Today, the Honourable Harjit Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, announced a federal investment of more than $1.7 million to support three Indigenous-led active transportation projects in northern British Columbia.

45. Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park

    Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park

46. Treasury Board President Mona Fortier tables Departmental Plans for 2023-24 

    Today, the Honourable Mona Fortier, President of the Treasury Board, tabled in the House of Commons the Government of Canada’s 2023-24 Departmental Plans on behalf of departments and agencies.

47. Government of Canada to host the Diversifying the Federal Supply Chain Summit

    Canada’s Procurement Ombudsman will host the Diversifying the Federal Supply Chain Summit on April 4 and 5, 2023. The Summit will feature public and private sector programs that help small businesses and businesses led by Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized Canadians, women, 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians, persons with disabilities and other underrepresented groups obtain federal government contracts.

48. Statement by Minister Ien, Head of the Delegation of Canada, to UNCSW 67th Session

    Statement by Minister Ien, Head of the Delegation of Canada, to UNCSW 67th Session

49. Government of Canada to announce funding to support the mental health of Black communities 

    The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, accompanied by Julie Dabrusin, Member of Parliament for Toronto-Danforth, will announce support to mental health programs for Black communities in Toronto.

50. Federally funded improvements completed at Wawanesa and District Recreation Centre 

    Today, the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for PrairiesCan and CanNor; Andrew Smith, Manitoba Minister of Municipal Relations; and Brett McGregor, Director of the Souris River Recreation Commission, announced a federal investment of more than $832,000 to modernize the Wawanesa and District Recreation Centre and announced the completion of the project.