The Bill Kelly Show Podcast:
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland sought to make a clear delineation between the Canadian and American approach to fighting the fifth wave of COVID-19 on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters about Ottawa’s response to the recent surge of Omicron cases, Freeland was asked to explain why the White House is reassuring Americans that holiday gatherings are safe if vaccinated, and that the variant is not a cause for panic, while the Canadian government is urging people to stay home and reduce contacts.
Freeland’s answer left many Canadians asking more questions. What opportunities did the government miss, and what should they have done?
GUEST: Andrew Brander, Vice President of Crestview Strategies
-
The federal government is promising to spend close to $880 million over the next four years to build about 65,000 new charging stations for electric or fuel cell-powered passenger vehicles.
But an industry group representing some of Canada's biggest automakers says Canada needs to be building millions of stations.
Brian Kingston, president of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association, said a national electric-charging network needs years of careful planning to ensure the charging stations are available when and where people need them. He says new models and more supply would solve only one piece of the electric transition, because if the charging networks don't keep pace, people aren't going to make the switch.
GUEST: Brian Kingston, President of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association
-
Ontario businesses affected by recent public health measures can apply for rebates on property taxes and energy costs, the government announced Wednesday amid warnings some companies were on the brink of collapse due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.
The federal government, meanwhile, said it was expanding eligibility for its $300-per-week worker benefit program. Instead of applying only to those who lost work due to lockdowns, it will now apply in regions where business capacity has been capped at 50 per cent to directly affected workers who’ve lost half or more of their income.
GUEST: Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.