Roundup: Promising rental protections that are provincial jurisdiction

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Justin Trudeau and Chrystia Freeland made a pre-budget announcement yesterday geared toward Millennial and Gen Z voters and their particular frustrations with the housing market, with some particular promises around rentals—some Legal Aid funds for tenants fighting unfair evictions, a “Renters’ Bill of Rights,” and a voluntary mechanism where paying rent on time can help with your credit score. The problem here? This is all pretty much provincial jurisdiction.

The political calculus here is a little bit of a Kobayashi Maru—any help that they want to offer renters has to essentially be done through the provinces, and yet the federal government is constantly being badgered and hectored—and blamed—for rental issues. Hell, the NDP have been screaming that they want help for renters in the budget, even though it’s provincial jurisdiction. So, this becomes something of a handwavey gesture to make it look like they’re listening and doing something when they really have almost no levers, particularly at a time when premiers are far less keen to work with the federal government on anything (and are in most cases undermining them wherever possible). Meanwhile, the number of files they need provincial cooperation with keep mounting, whether it’s healthcare, dental care, pharmacare, the early learning and child care agreements, a possible school food programme, and the Canada Disability Benefit (where the biggest danger is provinces clawing back their own supports when additional federal dollars are introduced). What’s adding one more thing to that list? Cripes.

https://twitter.com/JenniferRobson8/status/1773160710274527466

https://twitter.com/LindsayTedds/status/1773172941573812385

As always:

Programming Note: I’m going to take the full long weekend off, because we’re about to head into a very, very busy and nasty time of year, so I’m going to take as much time as I can, while I can. Have a good one!

Ukraine Dispatch:

Russia has struck Kharkiv with aerial bombs for the first time since 2022, resulting in at least one civilian death.

Good reads:

  • Justin Trudeau flat-out pointed out that conservative premiers are lying about carbon pricing (as well he should, because they absolutely are).
  • One year after the Mass Casualty Commission report, the RCMP insist that they’re going to be better and do things differently. Really! They mean it this time. For real!
  • The federal government hasn’t had any consultations with provinces yet on the future of RCMP contract policing (which they should end).
  • CMHC data show a surge in new apartment construction last year, but it’s still too little to make a difference overall.
  • Diaspora groups recounted their experiences with harassment by foreign governments to the foreign interference public inquiry.
  • Uyghur groups said that the Conservative platform’s mention of punishing Beijing for the treatment of Uyghur made them an even bigger target.
  • As expected, Conservatives are deriding the economists endorsing carbon pricing as “so-called experts” and say they’ll listen to bullshit “common sense” instead.
  • Quebec is the final province to have signed a bilateral health transfer agreement.
  • Scott Moe told the government operations committee that alternative to carbon pricing are “too costly” and industry should voluntarily reduce emissions.
  • Danielle Smith is asking for more immigration powers, a higher cap under the existing programme, and for more displaced Ukrainians.
  • Kevin Carmichael talks to Abraham Tachjian, who the federal government tapped to lead open banking and fintech consultaitons.

Odds and Ends:

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