Canada’s Liberals begin cabinet retreat with rising cost of living, state of economy topping agenda

Justin Trudeau Twitter handle of Justin Trudeau

As Parliament gets ready for the return of MPs, the Liberal cabinet is starting three days of meetings in Vancouver scheduled to begin Tuesday evening with Canada’s state of the economy and the rising cost of living expected to top the agenda.

The retreat, happening in Vancouver, is bringing together all federal ministers for a series of meetings between Tuesday and Thursday.

Earlier this year, a deal was struck between the Liberals and New Democrats with the NDP’s commitment to voting with the minority Liberal government in the House of Commons on confidence votes until June of 2025, in exchange for the Liberal government’s meeting a number of benchmarks along the way.

Once Parliament resumes on Sept. 19, delivering on those commitments will involve balancing the priorities of both Liberal supporters and the party’s parliamentary partners in the New Democratic Party (NDP)

The New Democrats say that if the Liberals want the deal to stay intact, at least two of those commitments must be met before the Christmas break.

A housing announcement in Vancouver would be made by Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau, before the kick-off of the meeting,

Trudeau will also face questions from reporters.

Other topics slated for discussion, according to Trudeau’s office include the unacceptable delays tied to passport and immigration applications, climate change, plans for transitioning to a clean economy, strengthening democracy, creating safer communities, and government’s gun control policy.

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