Alberta to Use Notwithstanding Power in Trans Laws
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has ordered officials to invoke the Charter's notwithstanding clause while amending three laws that impact transgender individuals, according to a leaked government memo acquired by The Canadian Press. The internal document, issued on September 10, 2023, by the justice department, instructs other departments to gather information in response to Smith’s directive.
Heather Jenkins, a spokesperson for the justice department, provided a brief comment on the memo, stating, "Alberta's government will continue to vigorously protect the safety and well-being of children using all available legal and constitutional means at our disposal, including the notwithstanding clause should our government deem it necessary." The three laws enacted last year pertain to rules for students changing their names or pronouns in schools, prohibiting transgender girls from competing in amateur female sports, and restricting access to gender-affirming healthcare.
Fraser Says Court Should ‘Shape’ Charter Override
As Alberta prepares to utilize the notwithstanding clause, the federal government is seeking limitations from Canada’s Supreme Court not only concerning Quebec’s secularism law. Justice Minister Sean Fraser expressed his hope that the Court's eventual ruling will “shape how both federal and provincial governments may use the notwithstanding clause for years to come.” On Wednesday, Ottawa submitted a factum to the Supreme Court as part of a landmark case surrounding Quebec’s Bill 21, which prohibits public sector workers in authoritative roles, including teachers and judges, from wearing religious symbols while on duty.
Quebec invoked the notwithstanding clause when implementing this law. In a social media post, Premier Smith declared that although her government does not endorse Quebec’s bill, it stands “shoulder to shoulder with Quebec’s constitutional right to invoke the notwithstanding clause as its government deems fit.”
Carney to Visit Train Yard on Mexico City Trip
Prime Minister Mark Carney is visiting Mexico City today for the second day of a trip aimed at reinforcing trade relations in anticipation of challenging negotiations with the United States regarding a trilateral trade agreement. Carney is scheduled to visit the Canadian Pacific and Kansas City’s Ferrovalle train yard, marking his only scheduled event before returning to Ottawa by noon.
Yesterday, Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum signed an agreement to enhance economic and security ties before the contentious negotiations with the U.S. This comprehensive strategic partnership aims to facilitate infrastructure development, including ports, rail, and energy corridors, while addressing crime and environmental concerns. Both leaders emphasized that this agreement would “complement” the existing Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
National Defence Using U.S. Cloud Services
Recent documents reveal that Ottawa has allocated nearly $1.3 billion on cloud services from U.S. companies, primarily Microsoft, for "mission-critical" defense applications. This information was disclosed in response to a query from Conservative MP Todd Doherty regarding expenditures on cloud services since 2021 from companies including Amazon, Microsoft, and Google.
The Department of National Defence’s response noted that "Amazon Web Services hosts several mission-critical applications that directly support operational readiness and national security." A "sovereign cloud" refers to a computing environment where services can be operated in compliance with a specific country's regulations and core values, allowing data and infrastructure to remain secure and contained within national borders.
Business Travel to the U.S. Remains Resilient
While Canadians may be avoiding leisurely visits to the U.S., recent data indicates that corporate travel remains stable. Despite political tensions, economic uncertainties related to tariffs, and concerns about border treatment, a report from SAP Concur shows that business travel from Canada to the U.S. during the first half of 2023 held steady in comparison to the previous year. The data indicated that 79% of corporate travel from Canada was directed towards the U.S., with the U.K. and Germany being the next most popular destinations, accounting for 3% and 2% of business trips respectively. Furthermore, Canada emerged as the leading international destination for business travelers from the U.S.
