In the news today: Canada spat leads India newspapers, inflation report due

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed…

Canada spat leads India newspapers, as analysts await reactions from peer countries

Canada’s decision to expel New Delhi’s top envoy and five other diplomats is front-page news in India, as an analyst wonders how other countries will respond. On Monday, the RCMP warned the public about a rash of crimes including murder, extortion and coercion that the force links to Indian government agents. The RCMP and other Canadian officials presented evidence to India earlier this past weekend, but they say New Delhi refused to co-operate in police investigations. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says that is why Canada declared the six diplomats persona non grata, which is one of the stiffest penalties Canada can impose on under the Vienna Convention.

Statistics Canada to release inflation report

Statistics Canada is expected to publish its inflation reading for the month of September today. Economists are forecasting another decline in annual inflation last month after it slowed to two per cent in August, the slowest pace since February 2021. The result for August brought the annual rate in line with the Bank of Canada’s target for inflation. The September inflation report is the last major economic data point before the central bank’s next interest rate decision on October 23. The Bank of Canada has cut its key interest rate three times this year to bring it to 4.25 per cent, after it started hiking rates in March 2022.

Here’s what else we’re watching…

PMO staff testify at foreign interference inquiry

The public safety minister is expected to testify at a federal inquiry into foreign interference just one day after announcing explosive allegations about crimes of murder, coercion and extortion in Canada linked to agents of the Indian government. When asked Monday whether the inquiry’s mandate should be expanded to encompass some of the new allegations, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc says he doesn’t think it’s necessary. LeBlanc says the inquiry is already seized with India’s foreign interference activities in Canada, and he has every confidence the commissioner’s report will deal with the allegations.

Ontario pays $4.3M in legal fees for Bill 124

Ontario taxpayers have forked over $4.3 million in legal fees after the province lost two court cases defending a wage-cap law that was struck down as unconstitutional. Premier Doug Ford’s government passed a law — known as Bill 124 — in 2019 to limit salary increases for broader public sector workers at one per cent per year for three years. The province said at the time it was done to help eliminate the deficit, but the move drew widespread anger, especially among nurses and teachers. Taxpayers paid $3.4 million to the unions and nearly $900, 0000 to a legal firm that handled the province’s appeal.

Carbon rebates sent out as Liberals defend policy

Canadians are set to receive carbon pricing rebates on Tuesday, as the Liberals defend one of their most embattled policies. The government says this is the first time all banks will label the payment as the Canada Carbon Rebate, after years of inconsistent and vague phrasing on bank statements. The quarterly rebate will go to Canadians who filed their income tax while living in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and all four Atlantic provinces. Ottawa sends the rebates to offset what people pay in carbon pricing when they buy fuel so they’re not less worse off as a result.

Busy week of events near B.C. Oct. 19 election

It’s the last week of the British Columbia election campaign after a busy long weekend of promises for the B.C. Conservatives, including a new Children’s Hospital for Surrey. B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad is expected to explain how he’s going to pay for all his promises, from the so-called Rustad rebate to exempt up to $3,000 a month of rent or mortgage payments from taxes, to the plan to eliminate the carbon tax. Rustad also said the Conservatives would eliminate the provincial deficit of nearly $9 billion within two terms of government.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2024.

The Canadian Press