The Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy

Progressive Dialogue and Policy for a Better Canada

25 PROMISES, 100 DAYS

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January 28, 2016

25 PROMISES, 100 DAYS

By Andrew Cardozo

100 days and 25 promises

100 days into the new mandate and at least 25 significant promises have been kept. Such is the record to date of the Trudeau government.
So here are 25 promises that were kept so far.

1. Gender Parity in cabinet. The first federal cabinet with gender parity as promised back in April as part of the democratic reform package.

2. Long form census. The newly minted Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Baines made cabinet’s first announcement, in reinstating the long form census.

3. Middle class tax cut. The Middle class tax cut was put into motion by Finance Minister Bill Morneau, when the House sat for a week in December. This took effect January 1, 2016.

4. Syrian refugees. So this is a complicated one. Some 10,000 of the 25,000 promised were brought in by January 15 and close to the target will be here by February 28.

5. MMIW. Three minsters have begun consultations towards setting up an inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women: Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett and Status of Women Minister Patty Hajdu.

6. Paris conference. As promised the Prime Minister hosted a meeting with provincial and territorial premiers ahead of the conference and was accompanied by several of them to the conference in Paris. Lead by Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna, Canada helped craft and then signed on to an ambitious approach to carbon reduction.

7. Bulk drug purchasing. Health Minister Jane Philpott has announced that the feds will join the provinces in the Pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance to purchase drugs in bulk thus reducing their cost for health plans.

8. Expanding CPP. The discussion between finance ministers has begun, with one or two provinces resisting, which will mean slower than expected progress.

9. More open government: There are many steps taken to create more open government: a more open swearing-in of the new government, release of mandate letters of all ministers now prominently posted on their websites and the daily release of the Prime Minister’s schedule.

10. Senate Appointments. Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef has announced the “Independent Advisory Panel in Senate Appointments”, that will provide the Prime Minister with a short list for each Senate appointment.

11. Improved Canada-US relations. Perhaps more accurately, improved President-Prime Minister relations, which then filters throughout both governments – better chemistry.

12. Un-muzzling Scientists. In the early days of the government Science Minister Kirsty Duncan and Treasury Board President Scott Brison announced that federal government’s scientists had permission to speak to the media, removing the muzzle firmly put in place by the previous administration.

13. National Revenue minister Diane LeBouthillier announced the winding down of the controversial review (harassment to some) by the Canada Revenue Agency of registered charities’ political activities.

14. Monument to victims of communism. Heritage Minister Melanie Joly announced that the controversial proposed monument to the victims of communism in Ottawa will be moved from its prime national capital space.

15. Withdrawing fighter jets. The government has announced its new plan to withdraw the jets from Iraq and instead expand the training and humanitarian mission.

16. Doctor assisted death. Pushed by a four-month deadline from the Supreme Court the government has tasked a joint Senate-House of Commons committee to come up with legislation.

17. Marijuana. Former Toronto police chief, now Liberal MP, Bill Blair is tasked with consulting widely and developing the government response to legalization and importantly, regulation of marijuana.

18. Infrastructure: While the announcements will largely be in the federal budget, expected in March, Alberta has been promised some $750K for construction in that province.

19. C-51. Public Security Minister Ralph Goodale has announced that the government will consult on issues in the Conservative anti-terrorism act. Details to follow.

20. A different tone. Generally, a new tone in government and within government. Whether its federal public servants, opposition parties, the media, community groups – the order went out, as one minister put it, “not to be a jerk!”

21. $100 million contribution the UN Commission for Refugees for Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries.

22. Reinstating the Interim Federal Health program which provided health benefits for refugees.

23. Doubling the number of sponsored parents and grandparents to 10,000 allowed in each year.

24. Announcement that legislation will be tabled shortly to rescind Bills C-377 and C-525 which undermined the abilities of unions to certify and decertify and that would force reporting of expenses by unions.

25. Lift sanctions against Iran gradually in line with the international community.

The problem with a long list of promises is that there are groups of Canadians who want action right away, on policies that can be as straightforward as reinstating the long form census or as complicated as electoral reform.

Add to that, changing conditions the world over which also beg for government action, and it adds up to a honeymoon that is anything but relaxing. Ministers and MPs appear to be, and better stay on steroids and ready for an active ride.

Andrew Cardozo is president of the Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy and is an adjunct professor at Carleton University.