INSIGHTS
Report & Analysis | Ontario Provincial Budget 2019
Ontario Finance Minister Vic Fedeli tabled the Progressive Conservative government’s first Budget today, unveiling their first annual fiscal plan since being elected in June 2018. As the government holds a comfortable majority of seats in the Legislature, this was the first of four budgets the Ford Government will table.
Report & Analysis | Federal Government 2019 Budget: "Investing in the Middle Class"
Finance Minister Bill Morneau today released the federal government’s 2019 Budget in the House of Commons. Titled Investing in the Middle Class, the plan is designed to position the Liberal government ahead of the election currently scheduled for October 21, 2019.
Municipal Update: It's All About the Money
From its launch in late January to today, Members of Toronto City Council have had ‘budget on the brain’ for weeks. Dozens of staff presentations and meetings, hundreds of public deputations, and nearly a thousand communications from stakeholders have all cumulated to the final City of Toronto 2019 Budget, which City Council approved late Thursday evening.
The Federal and Ontario Carbon Systems – A Comparison
Since this time last year, Ontario industry has been kept busy navigating a changing policy and regulatory landscape regarding carbon pricing. This issue has encompassed a myriad of topics: political positioning, intergovernmental and constitutional challenges, and rapid regulatory changes. While it is not unusual for a public policy issue to include all of these facets, it tends to be stretched out over several years, and election cycles; in the case of carbon pricing these factors are happening at the same time, thereby making it a more daunting process for companies to follow. The Environment and Federal teams at Sussex Strategy Group have taken a look at the two current carbon systems in play – the proposed Ontario Emissions Performance Standard (EPS) and the federal Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS).
Cannabis in the City What’s the ‘Budd’ Buzz?
It was a whirlwind December and first month in office for newly-elected officials across Ontario’s municipalities, no doubt. Following inaugural meetings, Council Members faced urgent business, important decisions, and a burning question… whether to Opt-In or Opt-Out of allowing cannabis retail locations. The Municipal Affairs Team at Sussex Strategy Group hopes to provide a quick update and overview of what we’ve seen so far, as well as what’s to be expected for municipalities into 2019 and beyond as part of this legalization rollout.
Government Relations in Ford Nation: The Ontario Government Year in Review and Look Ahead
Queen’s Park watchers are well aware of the fast and furious changes experienced in 2018 – from the toppling of Patrick Brown to the ascendancy of Doug Ford to the majority PC government. Certainly, 2019 will offer greater stability in Ontario politics, with the Ford government securely in place. But those expecting a quieter and more predictable year are likely to be disappointed.