Announcements and a Viral Video Dominate Break Week

In the House 

• The House of Commons continues its two-week spring break. MPs are scheduled to return from the break on Monday, April 17. 

At Committee 

• Upon its return next week, the Standing Committee on Health is wrapping up its study of Bill C-252, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children), and draft a report on its study on children’s health. 

Around Cabinet   

• In a viral video clip from the Prime Minister’s visit to Manitoba, a young PPC supporter attempted to catch the Prime Minister off guard with a line of questioning on vaccine mandates and women’s reproductive health. Trudeau’s ardent defence of a woman’s right to choose – especially in cases of rape – has received considerable praise from media members and the general public alike at a time when the Prime Minister has been seeking an opportunity to change the channel on accusations of Chinese interference in Canadian elections. 
• Budget announcements throughout the week from Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Carolyn Bennett primarily focused on federal efforts to train and retain health workers through funding for wage increases and forgiveness on Canada Student Loans for doctors and nurses, and the government’s signature promise to provide dental coverage to underinsured low-income Canadians by 2025. 
• Minister of Seniors Kamal Khera and Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos announced the reappointment of three members of the National Seniors Council (NSC). Since 2007, the NSC has examined issues related to the social isolation of seniors, the participation of older workers in the labour force, positive and active aging, volunteerism, low income among seniors, elder abuse, and financial abuse. Recently, they have examined issues emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic and provided Ministers with advice on these matters. 

Around the Dominion 

• Women in the western end of PEI expecting to give birth were advised to divert from Prince County Hospital in Summerside to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown due to a lack of anesthesia services for a two-day period from April 14 to April 15. 
• In Ontario, the Chief Medical Officer of Health is recommending high-risk individuals receive their next COVID-19 booster dose this spring.  
• In Manitoba, an investment of $5 million was announced for the purpose of adding 70 new operating room assistants to support surgical care teams and increase overall capacity across the province. The initiative is a part of the Diagnostic and Surgical Recovery Task Force’s continued efforts to reduce waitlists for diagnostic and surgical procedures in Manitoba.