Economic issues will dominate the new legislature

Members of Parliament returned today in the House of Commons for the first session of 2023 after meeting with their respective parties to strategize on their priorities and economic issues are expected to dominate the agenda.

Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government would focus on the cost of living and promised more targeted supports during the expected economic slowdown that would not increase inflation.

But the government has several other potentially costly priorities to balance as it assembles its spring budget and legislative agenda, including several promises the Liberals made in their supply-and-confidence agreement with the NDP.

Trudeau is also about to begin negotiations with provincial premiers to increase federal health spending.

The NDP says it plans to press the Liberals to live up to the terms of their agreement, such as the planned expansion of federal dental care, while the Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, will focus on trying to get the government to control its spending.