Parliament will be recalled on Nov. 22 — just over two months after the snap election that returned the Liberals with a second consecutive minority.
Prior to that, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will unveil on Oct. 26 the roster of cabinet ministers who will lead his government into a third mandate.
In a written statement, Trudeau’s office says the prime minister also plans to talk by phone with opposition leaders early next week to discuss Canadians’ priorities.
With the reconvening of Parliament, the government will also deliver a Throne Speech, which will detail its plan “to finish the fight against Covid-19.”
The statement suggests that extending pandemic support benefits will be high on the agenda for the new government.
“One of the immediate areas of focus for the next Parliament will be the Covid-19 support benefits that many Canadians and businesses still rely on, and the government will work collaboratively with other parliamentarians to continue to have Canadians’ backs,” the statement says.
Emergency rent and wage subsidy programs are set to end later this month but can be extended to the end of November. New legislation would be required to extend them beyond that.
The statement says the government will also move quickly on the promise of 10-day paid sick leave for federally regulated workers and work with the remaining provinces and territories that have not yet signed onto the federal plan to create $10-a-day child care across the country.
Other key early priorities will “accelerating climate action to build a cleaner country,” Indigenous reconciliation, creating new middle class jobs, and “putting home ownership back in reach for Canadians.”
As part of its election campaign platform, the Liberals promised they would address housing affordability by: doubling the First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit, from $5,000 to $10,000; reducing the price charged by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation on mortgage insurance by 25%; introducing a First Home Savings Account; and expanding the First Time Home Buyer Incentive.
A week after the election, Trudeau announced that Chrystia Freeland will retain her dual roles as deputy prime minister and finance minister. But whether he’ll opt to leave most other ministers in their current portfolios or conduct a major shakeup remains to be seen.
Trudeau has said gender parity will be the “base starting point” for any regionally balanced cabinet he puts together.