Spring 2021 Outlook and Parliamentary Dynamics

Spring Dynamics

Current Environment

• Continued adaption to virtual Parliamentary business
• Sustained scrutiny of all departmental activities related to COVID-19 and the economy
• Acute attention on Canada-China relationship
• Emphasis on federal / provincial / territorial collaboration

Emerging Issues

• Review of vetting process for appointment of senior officials;
• Management of vaccine roll-out;
• Release of federal budget and potential stimulus plans;
• Collaboration with new US administration; and
• Potential for spring / summer election.

Defence Dynamics & Parliament

How Parliament assesses National Defence

1. Progress on initiatives laid out in Strong, Secure, Engaged
2. Economic benefits to local areas and regions / provinces
3. Impacts on specific populations (Indigenous, minorities, women)
4. Emotional connection to constituents' issues and culture / history

Spring issues for National Defence

• Allegations / investigations of inappropriate sexual behaviour by senior leadership
• Social cohesion of CAF (hateful conduct inclusion and diversity, sexual misconduct)
• Role of CAF in vaccine distribution
• Scrutiny of Surface Compabant project
• Committee studies on military justice, fighter jets, and continental defence
• Independent review of NDA

• Text version

  March 2021:

  • Early March:
    • Potential MND appearance, Supplementary Estimates (C) 2020/2021
  • Mid-March:
    • 11 March (TBC): Potential appearance at Canada-China Special Committee study on national security
    • House Defence Committee study on allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour
    • 16 March: Senate resumes
  • Late March:
    • Federal Budget/Fiscal Update
    • Tabling of Main estimates 2021/2022
    • 26 March: Deadline for Committees to report Supps(C) back to the House
    • House Defence Committee study on military justice

  April 2021:

  • Early April:
    • House Defence Committee on fight jets (TBD)
      • Government response required
    • 9 April: Two government responses tabled in the House:
      • House Veterans Affairs Committee on veterans benefits backlog (VAC lead; CAF implicated in 3 recommendations)
      • House Public Accounts Committee on Supplying the CAF
  • Mid-April:
    • Potential Appearances:
      • Operations and Government Estimates Committee: Senior DND/CAF officials likely to appear on PBO and AG reports (PBO is also likely to appear)
      • Public Accounts Committee: DM to appear at Public Accounts Committee on OAG report on shipbuilding
  • Late April:
    • NA

  May 2021:

  • Early May:
    • Private Members’ Business M-58 presented in House
      • Use of GBA+ in National Defence recruitment and retention
    • House Defence Committee study required on Operation UNIFIER (TBD)
      • Government response required
  • Mid-May:
    • Update to Public Accounts
      • Inventory Management (30 May)
  • Late May:
    • House Defence Committee study on Continental Defence / NORAD (TBD)
      • Government response required
    • Tabling of Supplementary Estimates (A)

  June 2021:

  • Early June:
    • Potential MND Appearances:
      • Main Estimates 2021/2022
      • Supplementary Estimates (A)
    • Third Independent Review of National Defence Act
  • Mid-June:
    • NA
  • Late June:
    • Parliament rises:
      • 23 June: House of Commons
      • 25 June: Senate
    • Updates to Public Accounts (all due 30 June)
      • Canadian Army Reserve
      • CAF Housing
      • Administration of Military Justice
      • Canada’s Fighter Force (recruitment/retention)
      • Canada’s Fighter Force (upgrades)