The Senate adjourned for the summer on Friday, June 29. Both the Senate and the House of Commons will resume sitting on Monday, September 19.
Monday, June 25:
- The Government of Canada announced that the country has joined the EUREKA initiative, and the National Research Council of Canada has been designated the country's national project coordinator office for EUREKA. EUREKA's market-driven, business-led industrial R&D projects bring together participants from governments, industry, research institutes and universities to develop innovative products and service. The EUREKA initiative has 41 members, with South Korea and now Canada as associated countries.
- Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced the appointment of John Griffin to the Farm Products Council of Canada.
- Minister Ritz also announced the appointment of Bruce La Rochelle to the Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal.
Tuesday, June 26:
- The Senate Standing Committee on National Finance reported the budget implementation Bill C-38 back to the Senate without amendment.
- Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver signed an agreement on energy cooperation with Israeli Minister of Energy and Water Resources Uzi Landau between Canada and Israel in Tel Aviv.
- Industry Minister Christian Paradis announced federal funding to help Plessisville, Que. firm Boisdaction Inc. with specialized equipment for the optimization of its manufacturing process. The $19,125 repayable contribution comes courtesy of Canada Economic Development's Temporary Initiative for the Strengthening of Quebec's Forest Economies.
- Statistics Canada released 2010 figures on registered apprenticeship training programs. Total registrations in apprenticeship training programs across Canada reached its highest level ever at 430,452, an increase of 5.2 per cent from 2009. Training programs received 92,568 new registrations, an increase of 9.1 per cent from 2009. 51,864 certificates were granted to both apprentices and trade qualifiers/challengers, an increase of 6.9 per cent from 2009.
Wednesday, June 27:
- The Government of Canada published its response to the first report of the Standing Committee on International Trade, regarding a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union. The government expects increased trade with Europe as a result of the CETA in metals, industrial manufacturing, chemical products, forestry products as well as fish and seafood products. The government also expects increased market access for Canadian beef and pork, grains, oils and oilseeds, pulses and special crops, fruits and vegetables, maple products, and processed foods.
- Industry Minister Christian Paradis announced federal funding to help Innoltek Inc. of Thetford Mines, Que., acquire equipment for its new biodiesel production plant. Innoltek specializes in the production of biofuels for the concrete industry and construction sector. The $200,000 repayable financial contribution comes from Canada Economic Development's Business and Regional Growth program.
- Gary Schellenberger, MP for Perth-Wellington, announced $1.86 million for the Perth County Ingredients and Pond Biofuels of St. Marys, Ont. $947,500 for Perth County Ingredients comes from FedDev Ontario's Prosperity Initiative, and $908,280 for Pond Biofuels comes through FedDev Ontario's Investing in Business Innovation Initiative.
- Peter Braid, MP for Kitchener-Waterloo, announced $5,332,083 in funding for eight Kitchener-Waterloo area businesses through FedDev Ontario's Investing in Business Innovation initiative. The companies receiving funding are ActivDox Inc., ClevrU Corp., Primal Fusion Inc., Aeryon Labs. Inc., BigRoad Inc., ANTVibes Inc., Qwalify Inc. and I Think Security.
-Statistics Canada released data from personal income tax returns showing Ottawa–Gatineau had the highest median total family income (before tax) of all census metropolitan areas in 2010, at $90,790.
Thursday, June 28:
- Bill C-25, Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act received Royal Assent.
- Bill C-31, Protecting Canada's Immigration System Act received Royal Assent and became law.
- Bill C-26, Citizen's Arrest and Self-defence Act received Royal Assent and passed into law.
- Private Members' Bill C-311 received Royal Assent. The bill amends the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act, to allow for the transport of Canadian wines across provincial borders for personal consumption.
- The Competition Bureau of Canada announced that Competition Commissioner Melanie Aitken will step down from her post two years early, effective Sept. 21.
- The Small Business Branch of Industry Canada published the final issue of its Small Business Quarterly.
- Minister of State (Finance) Ted Menzies praised the Royal Assent of Bill C-25: the Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act along with representatives from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and Jetstream Administration Inc. in Toronto.
- Treasury Board President Tony Clement announced the expansion of the Open Data Portal, with the addition of over 1,000 new data sets. The portal is part of the Open Government initiative.
- Finance Minister Jim Flaherty spoke at the official opening of the Centre for Irish Economic Policy at the National University of Ireland, Galway, highlighting Canada's economic strength and supporting action in the Euro Zone.
- Transport Minister Denis Lebel announced federal funding to help the Ferme Olofée grain farm in Saint-Félicien, Que., purchase specialized equipment to bring a new production line on stream. The $187,961 in repayable funding comes courtesy of Canada Economic Development's Community Diversification program.
- Statistics Canada released preliminary data on payroll employment, earnings and hours for April 2012. Average weekly earnings of non-farm payroll employees rose 1.0 per cent to $896.63, and a 3.1 per cent increase from this time last year.
- Statistics Canada also released National tourism indicators for first quarter 2012. Tourism spending in Canada rose 0.9 per cent in the first quarter, the 11th consecutive quarterly increase.
Friday, June 29:
- Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz praised the decision of the World Trade Organization Appellate Body confirming that the United States Country-of-Origin Labelling measure unfairly discriminates against Canadian livestock and contravenes the WTO trade obligations of the United States.
- Statistics Canada released GDP figures by industry for April 2012. Real gross domestic product grew 0.3 per cent in April, following a 0.1 per cent increase in March. Much of April's rise was attributed to growth in mining and oil and gas extraction.
- Statistics Canada also released preliminary data on food services and drinking places for April, 2012. Sales for the food services and drinking places industry in April came to $4.4 billion, a decrease of 0.4 per cent from March. During the same period, the price of food purchased in restaurants increased 0.2 per cent.
Eye on the Hill is prepared by Ottawa-based government relations and communications firm Flagship Solutions.
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