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This a series of conversations around government policy and our rights. We are trying to report information to listeners about what is happening with government and communities
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9 ABR. 2026 · The $127 million federal investment signifies a targeted effort by the Government of Canada to strengthen the Canadian biomanufacturing and life sciences ecosystem.
Specifically, the funding is allocated to two entities for distinct but related purposes:
- Aspect Biosystems The investment will support the development and commercialization of Aspect's bioprinting technology, which is used to create therapeutic tissues. This initiative aims to advance Canadian-made biomanufacturing platforms, moving the research from the lab to commercial production.
- Providence Health Care (PHC) The funding will support PHC in establishing a new Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) facility. This facility will be used to manufacture clinical-grade cell and gene therapies, supporting clinical trials, research, and future patient treatments.
Overall, this investment is intended to secure domestic capacity in the life sciences sector, create high-quality jobs, and improve Canada's preparedness for future health challenges.
Mark Carney on Infrastructure
The Alto High-Speed Rail (HSR) project is the most ambitious transportation initiative in modern Canadian history. Formerly referred to as "High Frequency Rail" (HFR), the project evolved in 2025 into a full high-speed rail plan under Alto, a dedicated Crown corporation.
For Canada, this represents a shift from outdated, shared-track travel to a modern, electrified "backbone" connecting the country’s most populous region.
1. What is Alto? Alto is a wholly owned subsidiary of VIA Rail, created to act as the project authority. It operates at arm's length from the government to manage the design, construction, and eventual operation of the rail network.
- The Partnership: Alto is working with Cadence, a private consortium that includes major players like CDPQ Infra, AtkinsRéalis, and Air Canada, to co-design the system.
- The Goal: A dedicated 1,000 km track where passenger trains no longer have to pull over for freight trains.
2. Technical Scope & Route The project targets speeds of up to 300 km/h, effectively "shrinking" the distance between major hubs.
- Primary Corridor: Toronto – Peterborough – Ottawa – Montréal – Trois-Rivières – Québec City.
- Phase 1: In late 2025, the government announced that the Ottawa–Montréal segment would be the first to start construction (expected in 2029) to prove the technology and generate immediate regional benefits.
- Southwestern Ontario: Studies are currently underway (due late 2026) to determine how to extend this service or enhance rail connections toward London and Windsor.
3. What It Means for Canada The project is being framed as a "nation-building" endeavor with three primary impacts:
Economic Integration By turning the Toronto-Quebec City corridor into a single, fluid economic zone, Alto aims to boost Canada's GDP by an estimated $35 billion. It allows people to live in more affordable cities (like Peterborough or Trois-Rivières) while working in major financial hubs.
Environmental Goals The network will be fully electrified, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of travel in the corridor. It is designed to lure travelers away from short-haul flights and car trips on the congested Highway 401.
Operational Reliability Currently, VIA Rail shares tracks with CN and CP freight trains, leading to frequent delays. Alto’s dedicated tracks mean:
- Frequency: Trains departing every few minutes during peak hours.
- On-time performance: Targeted at 95% or higher.
- Travel Times: Dramatic reductions, such as Toronto to Ottawa in roughly 2.5 to 3 hours (down from 4.5+).
4. Challenges and Criticism Despite the excitement, the project faces significant hurdles as of 2026:
- Cost: Estimates range from $60 billion to $90 billion, leading to political pushback regarding the use of public funds.
- Route Disputes: Rural communities and agricultural associations along the proposed "northern route" (through Peterborough) have raised concerns about land use and environmental disruption.
- Political Divide: While the current government views it as essential infrastructure, opposition leaders have criticized the high price tag, calling for more scrutiny on the project's long-term viability.
Current Status (April 2026): Alto is currently conducting extensive field studies and public consultations across Ontario and Quebec to finalize the exact path of the tracks. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.
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8 ABR. 2026 · An Urgent Call to Action: Building Coalitions to End Gender-Based Violence
The upcoming event marks a critical convergence of influential women leaders and dedicated allies from the pinnacles of entertainment, science, media, and global business. The central focus of this high-level convening is to illuminate the devastating and often hidden impact of gender-based violence on the life trajectories and ultimate potential of women and girls across the globe. By bringing these diverse and powerful voices together, the event is specifically designed to forge robust, action-oriented coalitions across sectors—a necessary step toward realizing the definitive goal of eradicating all forms of violence against women and girls worldwide.
This significant gathering serves as a celebratory capstone to Women’s History Month, a time when we honor the achievements and struggles of women who have paved the way. We invite you to join us for this special recognition of trailblazing women worldwide—those who are currently breaking barriers and fighting for a more equitable future.
Our Collective Commitment: Building Powerful Coalitions
Our united vision is clear: to leverage the combined influence of all attendees to establish powerful, cross-sectoral coalitions. These partnerships will translate dialogue into concrete action, driving policy change, increasing resource allocation, and implementing effective, on-the-ground programs that help end the systemic violence perpetrated against women and girls.
Featured Global Leaders and Innovators:
The event will feature a lineup of extraordinary speakers, including:
- UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed: A leading global voice for sustainable development, peace, and gender equality.
- Audrey Nuna: The innovative artist known as the singing voice of Kpop Demon Hunters, representing the power of modern media and culture.
- Sandra Kwon: A celebrated comedian and social media personality (@jeenieweenie), leveraging humor to address complex social issues.
- Tatyana McFadden: A highly decorated American Paralympic Athlete and activist, embodying resilience and strength.
- Jessica Sibley: The influential CEO of TIME Magazine, representing the power of global media to shape public discourse.
- Fereshteh Forough: Founder of Code to Inspire, working to empower women in Afghanistan through digital literacy and technology.
- Amanda Nguyen: Astronaut, Founder & CEO of Rise, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee and activist who successfully championed the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights.
- Katya Echazarreta: Astronaut and electrical engineer, inspiring the next generation of women in STEM.
- Dr. Sian Proctor: Astronaut, geoscientist, and artist, championing diversity and inclusion in space exploration.
Join us as we move beyond awareness to a collaborative commitment to change, ensuring that every woman and girl can live a life free from violence. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.
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2 ABR. 2026 · In March 2026, Canada is facing a significant national and international reckoning over alleged human rights violations, fueled by an intensified movement of doctors, human rights advocates, and legal experts. This push for accountability centers on two critical and interconnected areas: the government's restrictive interpretation of the right to life in international law and the perceived systemic erosion of public healthcare across the country.-----1. The International Battleground: Challenging Canada at the UN (March 2024–2026)
The core of the international dispute manifested during the UN Human Rights Committee’s recent review in Geneva (March 2026) of Canada’s compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Activists and medical groups have forcefully challenged Canada's legal position on Article 6, the right to life.The "Positive Measures" Dispute and Systemic Neglect
A central point of contention is Canada's claim that the "right to life" does not impose a legal, positive obligation on the government to take proactive, concrete steps to address systemic, life-threatening crises. Human rights advocates argue that by treating the right to life merely as a negative right—the right not to be arbitrarily killed—the government is legally excusing itself from tackling root causes of preventable mortality.
- Impact on Vulnerable Populations: Activists highlight that this legal stance enables the government to fail to adequately address systemic threats such as chronic homelessness, rampant food insecurity, the devastating toxic drug crisis, and environmental injustices that disproportionately affect Indigenous communities. They estimate that this neglect is responsible for thousands of preventable deaths annually, constituting a profound human rights failure.
- The Toussaint v. Canada Failure: Physicians and legal experts underscored the critical case of Toussaint v. Canada, where the UN found the nation in violation of the ICCPR for denying essential healthcare to an irregular migrant. Canada's continued refusal to implement the UN Human Rights Committee's findings in this landmark case is cited as demonstrative of a cavalier attitude toward international human rights obligations.
-----2. Domestic Conflict: Healthcare and The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Domestically, the medical community, led by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), is directly confronting provincial policies perceived as dismantling the principles of equitable public healthcare and undermining the supremacy of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.The Charter Under Attack: The Notwithstanding Clause
In a highly significant legal move in March 2026, the CMA applied to intervene at the Supreme Court of Canada regarding Saskatchewan’s use of the notwithstanding clause (Section 33 of the Charter).
- The Principle of Accountability: Doctors argue that the use of this clause to pre-emptively shield legislation from judicial review—a move that prevents the courts from ever assessing if the law violates Canadians’ fundamental rights—is profoundly anti-democratic. The CMA’s intervention aims to ensure the Charter remains an effective check on governmental power, particularly when health policy decisions threaten access and equity.
The Two-Tier Healthcare Threat: Alberta's Bill 11
Mid-March 2026 saw nationwide "Days of Action" involving doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals protesting against Alberta's controversial Bill 11, which permits significant health reforms.
- Erosion of Equity: Critics argue that this legislation facilitates the expansion of private payments for medical services, creating a "queue-jumping" mechanism. This, they contend, constitutes a discriminatory, two-tiered system where access is determined by wealth rather than medical need, fundamentally violating the core principle of equitable access that underpins the Canada Health Act.
-----3. Unified Demands for Action
The diverse coalition of stakeholders has presented a clear, unified set of demands to shift Canada's legal and policy approach to health and human rights: Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.
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27 MAR. 2026 · Across the wider region, the scale of the tragedy is immense. UNICEF reported that more than 2,100 children have been killed or injured since the beginning of the war, including 206 children killed in Iran, 118 in Lebanon, four children killed in Israel, and one in Kuwait. Chaiban cautioned that “These are the reported figures and they are expected to rise as the violence continues," estimating this to be “an average of approximately 87 children either killed or injured every day.”
Ms. Albanese briefed journalists on her findings, which detailed concerns over torture, deaths in custody, the extensive destruction of Gaza’s health system, and what she categorized as a broader system of violence against Palestinians. The subsequent Q&A session focused on key contentious issues, including Israel’s criticism of her mandate, the international community’s response, challenges related to access and conditions in Gaza, deaths in custody, and the devastating impact on medical personnel.-----Humanitarian Crisis Update: Children in the Middle East Conflict
UN Resolution on the Enslavement of Africans as the Gravest Crime Against Humanity: African Group's Stance and Global Context
Ambassador Samuel Yao Kumah of Ghana, speaking on behalf of the African Group at the United Nations, delivered a powerful statement ahead of a landmark UN Resolution seeking to declare the enslavement of Africans as the Gravest Crime Against Humanity. Addressing reporters in New York, Ambassador Kumah emphasized that the resolution is not an attempt to "rank suffering, nor does it attempt to create a legal hierarchy of crimes against humanity." Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.
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24 MAR. 2026 · Leadership Transition in Iran Following the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, 2026, during joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes (dubbed "Operation Epic Fury"), Iran underwent a swift and tense succession process:
- Appointment: On March 9, 2026, the 88-member Assembly of Experts officially appointed Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader's second son, as the new Supreme Leader.
- Defiant Stance: In his first major public address on March 12, Mojtaba Khamenei took an aggressive tone, vowing to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed—a move that effectively blockades one of the world's most vital energy chokepoints.
- Demands: He has demanded the immediate closure of all U.S. military bases in the Middle East and threatened continued "retaliation" for the "blood of martyrs," seeking compensation for damages or the seizure of "enemy property."
Market & Energy Impact The closure of the Strait and subsequent attacks have sent shockwaves through global energy markets:
- Oil Prices: Brent crude surged past $100 a barrel shortly after the announcement and has since climbed toward $120 as supply fears intensify.
- Iraqi Shutdown: Following a deadly drone/missile attack on a vessel at the Basra port on March 12, Iraq halted operations at all its oil terminals. This has removed approximately 3.3 million barrels per day from the global supply.
- Shipping: Maritime traffic through the Strait has dropped to nearly zero as insurance rates spiked 400% to 600%, and major firms suspended operations in the Persian Gulf. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.
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19 MAR. 2026 · Annalena Baerbock, who ascended from Germany's Foreign Minister to the prestigious President of the UN General Assembly in late 2025, has firmly established herself as the foremost global voice warning against the escalating "backlash" against gender equality. Her rhetoric moves beyond traditional human rights frameworks, positioning women’s rights not as a peripheral issue, but as a core metric for international security and democratic stability.1. The "Barometer" Theory: Gender Equality as a Security Indicator
Baerbock's central thesis, often dubbed the "Barometer Theory," asserts that the status of women is a predictive index for the health of a democracy and a nation's propensity for external aggression. This framework reframes the fight for gender equality as a matter of national and global security.
- The Precursor to Aggression: Baerbock repeatedly highlights the systematic repression of women and the concomitant stifling of domestic dissent as crucial early warning signs of forthcoming authoritarianism and international belligerence. She points to the actions of Russia as a potent, tragic example. The dismantling of civil society, including organizations dedicated to women's and minority rights, she argues, paved the way for the ultimate invasion of Ukraine.
- The Core Logic: The phrase, "If women are not safe, no one is safe," has become the philosophical bedrock of her diplomatic efforts. The argument is that any society that systemically devalues and marginalizes half of its population is inherently fractured, unstable, and therefore more susceptible to internal violence and external military adventurism. A state that controls the bodies and lives of its female citizens is a state that will readily seek to control others. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.
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16 MAR. 2026 · Incident Details The Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary school was struck during its morning session on the first day of a wider military offensive against Iran. Verified footage and satellite imagery show that the school building was decimated, with the roof collapsing on students. Reports from local medics and witnesses suggest a "double tap" or "triple tap" strike, where a secondary missile hit the area as students and staff were attempting to evacuate or take shelter in a prayer room. The school is located adjacent to a military complex belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy. While the school had been walled off from the base since at least 2016, it appears to have been included in strike packages targeting the base. Official Responses and Attribution 1. Iranian Government Iranian state media and President Masoud Pezeshkian have unequivocally blamed a "U.S.-Israeli airstrike" for the massacre. Iranian authorities claim the remains of the munitions have been recovered and analyzed. 2. United States
- Initial Response: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the Pentagon was "investigating" the reports but maintained that the U.S. does not target civilians.
- Internal Findings: Preliminary internal U.S. military assessments, reported by The New York Times and Reuters, suggest the U.S. was "likely" responsible. Officials cited the use of outdated intelligence that incorrectly identified the school as still being part of the active IRGC military installation.
- Presidential Statement: On March 7, President Donald Trump claimed without evidence that the strike was likely a "failed IRGC interception" or an "inaccurate" Iranian missile, a claim later challenged by independent weapons experts.
3. Israel The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have stated they were not operating in the Minab area at the time of the strike and have "found no connection" to their operations. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.
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11 MAR. 2026 · This substantial federal investment is projected to unlock an impressive $434 million in Canadian project capital, providing a significant economic boost that will be felt truly from coast to coast. These figures are not just statistics; they represent a transformational injection of capital with the power to revitalize both the national economy and our vital industrial sector.
Crucially, these financial commitments are strategically aligned to support Canada’s long-term vision articulated in our new Defence Industrial Strategy. This strategy is a blueprint for national prosperity and security, focusing on strengthening Canada’s defence industrial base to foster economic growth and technological superiority.
The overall investment is meticulously broken down across four key strategic programs, targeting critical areas for future growth and sustainability:1. Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D)
- Investment: More than $25 million
- Goal: This funding is designed to aggressively drive innovation and advance cutting-edge technologies within the critical minerals sector. It directly supports research into new extraction, processing, and manufacturing techniques, ensuring Canada remains a global leader in the supply chain for essential minerals required for green technology and high-tech manufacturing.
2. Energy Innovation Program (EIP)
- Investment: Nearly $18 million
- Goal: The EIP funding is focused on accelerating the development and deployment of clean energy and advanced mining technologies. The core objectives are multifaceted: to enhance resource reliability, improve affordability for consumers and industry, bolster the competitiveness of Canadian energy and mining exports, and achieve substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions across these sectors.
3. Indigenous Natural Resource Partnerships Program
- Investment: Nearly $3 million
- Goal: This vital program is dedicated to strengthening and increasing Indigenous economic participation within the mining sector. The investment supports partnerships, capacity building, and business development initiatives, ensuring that Indigenous communities directly benefit from and have meaningful input into natural resource development projects on their traditional territories.
4. Critical Minerals Geoscience and Data Initiative
- Investment: More than $2 million
- Goal: This strategic initiative aims to fundamentally enhance the accessibility and quality of geoscientific data available to explorers and investors. By generating new, high-quality insights and comprehensive datasets, the program significantly reduces the inherent risk associated with mineral exploration, thereby encouraging private sector investment and accelerating the discovery of new critical mineral deposits.
In summary, this targeted investment package represents a comprehensive federal strategy to modernize Canada's industrial and resource sectors, drive clean innovation, ensure long-term national security, and promote inclusive economic growth. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.
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9 MAR. 2026 · Tokyo, Japan - Wrapping up a rigorous 10-day, three-country tour aimed at expanding Canadian market access in Asia, Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed reporters on Saturday in Tokyo, focusing heavily on the escalating security situation in the Middle East. He confirmed that, as of yet, Canada has not received any formal requests for military assistance or aid from Persian Gulf states, stating that he does not "necessarily anticipate those requests."
Carney's comments come against a backdrop of rising regional instability, primarily fueled by the Iran conflict, which was initially sparked by recent military strikes carried out by the US and Israel. This situation has heightened concerns among Canada's regional allies. Just days prior, on Thursday, Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan publicly acknowledged that Gulf partners "may require defence and support" in light of the ongoing hostilities.
A Contradictory Stance and Domestic Division
The Prime Minister's handling of the crisis has drawn significant criticism domestically. Carney initially offered support for the US and Israeli strikes but subsequently expressed reservations, questioning whether the actions breached international law—a perceived contradiction that has fueled political debate.
This policy ambivalence appears to reflect a divided public. A newly released Angus Reid poll indicates a sharp split among Canadians, with 48% voicing opposition to greater Canadian involvement or the government's current posture, compared to 35% who remain supportive. Adding to the scrutiny, prominent voices, including former Liberal Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy and current Liberal MP Will Greaves, have publicly criticized Carney's evolving stance as contradictory and lacking clarity.
Upcoming Parliamentary Showdown
The return of Parliament next week is set to bring the Middle East policy under intense scrutiny. The New Democrats have already signaled their intent to force a debate on the conflict and Canada's role, ensuring that the government will face immediate questions upon the session's resumption.
In anticipation of this challenge, Mr. Carney has been reiterating that Canada's foremost priority remains the protection and evacuation of its citizens from the volatile region. He stressed that diplomatic "talks continue with Gulf leaders" to ensure the safety of Canadian nationals and coordinate a peaceful resolution where possible.
Trade and Trump Define the Tour
Beyond the immediate crisis, Mr. Carney’s lengthy tour was primarily focused on economic diplomacy. Analysts suggest that a major, though often downplayed, component of the trip was managing relations with the United States under President Donald Trump. While the Prime Minister sought to expand trade with Asian nations, his overall approach is widely seen as being shaped by the imperative of safeguarding Canada’s position in North America.
This was evident in his consistent downplaying of separate, ongoing US-Mexico talks concerning the upcoming review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a key trade pact that is foundational to the Canadian economy. The need to maintain stable relations with the Trump administration, according to observers, remains the central constraint guiding the Prime Minister’s foreign policy decisions. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.
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2 MAR. 2026 · Premier David Eby has released the following statement in response to media reports regarding OpenAI and the shooting in Tumbler Ridge: “Reports that allege OpenAI had related intelligence before the shootings in Tumbler Ridge took place are profoundly disturbing for the victims’ families and all British Columbians. “The pain that these families have gone through is unimaginable. “We have confirmed with police that they are pursuing orders regarding the preservation of any potential evidence related to the shootings in Tumbler Ridge held by digital services companies, including social media platforms and AI companies. “I urge anyone with any information regarding this incident to immediately contact police and provide their full co-operation. “We will use all powers of government to ensure that police have the tools they need to investigate every aspect of this horrific tragedy.”
Premier David Eby has issued the following statement marking Pink Shirt Day: “Today, as British Columbians wear pink to stand up against bullying, we do so during a time of deep sorrow. Our thoughts remain with the students, educators and families in Tumbler Ridge, who are marking this day under the weight of profound loss. In moments like this, the importance of safe, caring and connected school communities has never felt more urgent. “Pink Shirt Day started in response to a student experiencing homophobic and transphobic bullying. Since then, it has become a wider movement about making our schools and our society places where everyone feels safe, supported and celebrated for who they are. “As a parent of school-age kids, Pink Shirt Day hits close to home. Like so many families, we talk around the kitchen table about what it means to be kind, to stand up for others and to ask for help when something doesn’t feel right. “While we have made progress, bullying remains a serious and evolving challenge, particularly in the digital world. Online harassment and exploitation can follow young people everywhere, and we have seen some heartbreaking consequences here in B.C. “That is why our government is focused on keeping kids safe. We are taking action to address online harms, improve school safety, strengthen mental-health supports and ensure our education system is inclusive and welcoming for students. “Pink Shirt Day is a reminder that preventing bullying isn’t just about one day – it’s about the choices we make every day. Choosing to listen. Choosing to speak up. Choosing kindness, especially when it matters most. “Today, my family and I will wear pink and keep those conversations going around the kitchen table. I encourage everyone in British Columbia to do the same. When we stand together, we send a powerful message to every child: You are valued, you are supported and you belong.” Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care, said: “Pink Shirt Day reminds us to come together – to stand up against bullying – and to support school communities where every student feels safe, respected and included. Today, throughout British Columbia, people are choosing to show kindness in their words and actions. “This day comes during a period of deep sadness for many. Our thoughts are with the people of Tumbler Ridge, who are observing this day while continuing to process an unimaginable loss. We hold them in our hearts and stand with them in their grief. “As parents and caregivers, we all want our children to feel safe being themselves, to feel included and to know they belong. When schools are welcoming and supportive, students are better able to learn, build confidence and form positive relationships that carry with them throughout their lives. “This day also reminds us that preventing bullying is an ongoing responsibility we all share. By listening to student voices, supporting one another and taking action every day, we can continue building communities where everyone feels welcome and valued.”
As the Province looks to reduce its reliance on the United States for trade, legislation before the house, if passed, will provide the Province with the tools needed to directly invest in high-impact private-sector projects through a $400-million B.C. Strategic Investment Fund. “As the federal government looks for projects to boost forestry, defence and shipbuilding, our goal is to make British Columbia businesses are at the front of the line,” said Premier David Eby. “By incentivizing large private-sector projects and participating in the upside, we can make sure people in our province are benefiting through high paying jobs and revenue for stronger services.” Currently, government’s ability to support private-sector companies is limited to providing grants, with little to no direct revenue upside for the Province. Other jurisdictions, including Ontario, Quebec, the governments of Canada and the U.S., have more funding flexibility, such as:
- taking equity in companies
- issuing loans
- signing profit-sharing agreements
- providing conditionally repayable grants
These investments can generate significant benefits for these jurisdictions. This new legislation proposes similar tools, allowing British Columbians to share in the success of projects that receive provincial support. Moving B.C.’s economy forward “People and communities across B.C. are at the heart of everything we do to grow our economy,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. “With new financial tools, and through our Look West strategy, we can support high-impact private-sector projects, attract federal investment, and advance B.C.'s priority sectors, creating good jobs and protecting the critical services people depend on every day.” The goal of the Strategic Investment Fund is to co-invest in projects that would be in line to secure up to $20 billion in federal defence investments through Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy, as well as critical mineral projects and other major economic endeavours. The fund is a critical tool to help B.C. realize its Look West target of securing $200 billion in new private-sector investments. This new legislation, and the tools it would provide, is meant to ensure B.C. businesses get their fair share of this funding. “B.C. companies offer world-class, dual-use abilities that can support Canada’s military commitments,” said Darlene Rotchford, parliamentary secretary for armed forces development and veterans affairs. “This new tool kit complements existing supports for businesses, while building new opportunities to create more good, highly skilled jobs here in British Columbia.” Building on existing success The fund would complement existing, successful programs, such as the B.C. Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF). With $153 million committed so far for 154 projects, the BCMJF has leveraged $1 billion in investment, and created or protected more than 4,800 jobs. During the construction phase of these projects and in their first few years of expanded operations, the BCMJF is expected to generate $17 billion in new economic activity, nearly $7 billion to B.C.’s gross domestic product, and $714 million in provincial revenue. This legislation – Bill 3: budget measures implementation act (No. 2), 2026 – builds on the Province’s Look West strategy to deliver major projects, create good jobs and strengthen B.C.’s and Canada’s economic security. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.
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This a series of conversations around government policy and our rights. We are trying to report information to listeners about what is happening with government and communities
Información
| Autor | Michael Clogs |
| Organización | Depictions Media |
| Categorías | Política |
| Página web | depictions.media |
| michael@depictionsmedia.com |
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