The federal cabinet retreat in Halifax will focus on housing and immigration on Monday. The meetings mark the first full day of discussions. The Liberals, who have seen a decline in their popularity over the past year, are preparing for the fall session of Parliament. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will address the media on Monday morning, a rare occurrence since the party’s defeat in a critical byelection in June.
Ministers will provide updates on various government initiatives, including changes to the temporary foreign workers program, national child care, and electric vehicle tariffs. Labor issues within the national railways will also be addressed, with Teamsters planning a protest at the meeting.
The government is facing challenges related to immigration and housing affordability. The increase in immigration has led to higher housing costs and raised anti-immigration sentiments in some areas. The focus is on finding solutions to these issues.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller has made changes to the student and temporary foreign worker visa programs to address current conditions. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will discuss the possibility of imposing tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. The U.S. has already announced tariffs on these vehicles, and Canada may follow suit.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan from the U.S. addressed the cabinet retreat on Sunday night, highlighting concerns about China’s economic policies. The discussions will continue on various topics to set the agenda for the upcoming parliamentary session.
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