Carney to address MPs on deadly fire at CFB Wainwright as Albertans vote in high-stakes referendum

As more details emerge on the deadly grassfire at a Canadian Forces training base in Wainwright, Alta., that killed four soldiers and injured 39 more, “including 19 in critical condition,” as Canadian Press reports, Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to deliver a statement on the tragedy from his front and centre seat in the House of Commons this morning. (11 a.m.)

Speaking with reporters on Sunday morning, Carney “called it one of the “worst tragedies for the (Armed Forces) on Canadian soil in peacetime,” CP notes.

“Flags on all federal buildings were lowered to half-mast to pay tribute to the deceased.”

Later in the day, Defence Minister David McGuinty joined Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and 1st Canadian Division commander Maj-Gen. Wade Rutland at a media briefing in Edmonton.

“(Rutland) says the grass fire was a kilometre away and considered sufficiently under control that training exercises were allowed to continue Saturday afternoon at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in central Alberta,” CP notes.

“However, he said conditions — including a violent, sudden windstorm — sent those flames racing over the Prairie landscape at lightning speed, landing right on top of the soldiers,” which he described as a “very uncommon occurrence,” and confirmed that there will be a “complete investigation” into exactly what happened.

Meanwhile, thousands of Albertans will be heading to the polls today to vote on whether to trigger a binding referendum to determine if the province should separate from Canada, as well as nine other questions put forward by the current provincial government.

“More than 1.3 million Albertans have already cast ballots by mail or in advanced polls,” Canadian Press notes.

“The separation question is one of 10 on the ballot. The first nine focus on immigration and the Constitution. The immigration questions ask Albertans whether the province should have more say on who comes to the province to work and whether it’s time to put more limitations — and perhaps introduce fees — on some who arrive and seek access to health care and education. The constitutional questions ask Albertans for a blessing to pursue talks with other provinces on wresting power from the federal government and abolishing the Senate.”

The polls are set to close at 8 p.m. MT, but as yet, there’s no official word on exactly when the preliminary results will be released, which, as per provincial election rules, must take place no later than 48 hours later.

The law also specifies that all ballots must be counted by hand.

Back in the precinct, MPs will get their first chance to weigh in on Government Transformation Minister Joël Lightbound’s proposal to convert the Defence Investment Agency from a special operating agency to an arms-length Crown corporation, as well as expand its authority to negotiate big-ticket purchases for the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as the Canadian Coast Guard, which is on track to make its second-reading debut later this morning. (12 p.m.)

Also on the government’s legislative to-do list: Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne’s pledge to extend the temporary break in collecting federal fuel excise taxes until next year, which, as per a motion adopted at the start of the fall sitting, is set to undergo a final round of House debate before being deemed to have been approved at all stages on division, after which it will proceed to the Senate.

MPs will also vote on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s non-binding call for the House of Commons to officially recognize “affordability crisis,” which underwent a full day of debate before the chamber shut down for the week-long Thanksgiving break

Also on the radar: As flagged in What We’re Watching, the legislative committee tasked with conducting a brisk but comprehensive review of Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon’s omnibus bid to further streamline the assessment and approval of major projects, as well as overhaul federal labour laws, will host back-to-back one-hour sessions with the four key ministers involved in the file, starting with MacKinnon and his fellow front bencher Dominic LeBlanc, whose portfolio includes both intergovernmental affairs and One Canadian Economy, as well as representatives from the Major Projects Office. (3:30 p.m.)

Next up, as per the committee notice: Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin, Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu and senior officials with their respective offices (5:30 p.m.) as well as Impact Assessment Agency of Canada president Terrance Hubbard and representatives of the Association of Port Authorities, Business Council of Alberta and the Montreal Port Authority. (7:30 p.m.)

As reported by iPolitics’ own Aya Dufour earlier this month, senators have also set up a special committee to study the bill, which is set to begin its preliminary examination later this morning, with Hubbard also on the witness list for the opening round of testimony, along with officials with the Canada Energy Regulator, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, West Coast Environmental Law, Canadian Renewable Energy Association and Electricity Canada. (12 p.m.)

Elsewhere on the committee circuit:  MacKinnon and his deputy minister, Michael Vandergrift, are also booked in for a morning session at FINANCE as MPs continue to go through the fine print of Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne’s omnibus plan to roll out measures outlined in his inaugural budget last fall. (11 a.m.)

On the Senate side, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr fields questions on his government’s push to increase defence spending at NATIONAL SECURITY, DEFENCE AND VETERANS’ AFFAIRS, with senior representatives of the Defence Investment Agency, Canadian Coast Guard, National Defence and other departments also expected to be at the table. (4 p.m.)

ON AND AROUND THE HILL

For the first time since being installed as Canada’s vice-regal representative earlier this year, Governor General Louise Arbour is set to honour recipients of the annual Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case, which, as the advisory notes, “recognize Canadians, including youth, who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of gender equality,” and will be presented during a mid-morning ceremony at Rideau Hall. (10 a.m.)

OUTSIDE THE PRECINCT

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson kicks off a two-day visit to London, U.K., by joining Teck CEO Jonathan Price for a “fireside chat” at Canada House. (3:30 p.m. BST)

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