Subsidy Tax Bill Assent; Toronto By-elections

Summary#

This Canada Gazette entry notes that An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy) received royal assent on November 19, 2020, becoming law. It also lists the official returns from the October 26, 2020 by-elections naming the winning candidates for two Toronto-area seats.

What it does#

• Records that Standing Order 130 (about notices for private bills) was previously published on September 19, 2020.
• Says the Governor General gave royal assent to An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy) on November 19, 2020.
• Publishes the official returns from the October 26, 2020 by-elections, showing:
  • Marci Ien elected in Toronto Centre.
  • Ya’ara Saks elected in York Centre.

Who's affected#

• People and organizations dealing with the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy or Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy may be affected by the changes in the Income Tax Act. The Gazette entry does not detail how.
• Voters and residents of Toronto Centre and York Centre — they have new Members of Parliament.
• Parliament offices, including the Private Members’ Business Office and clerks named in the notice, are involved in the formal record-keeping.

Why it matters#

• Royal assent means the amendment about the rent and wage subsidy programs moved from Parliament into law, which can affect how those emergency support measures operate or are treated for tax purposes. The Gazette item itself does not explain the details of the changes.
• The by-election results update who represents those Toronto-area districts in the House of Commons, which matters for local representation and votes in Parliament.