Provinces blamed for COVID third wave shortcomings

Significance

Some of Canada’s largest provincial governments have seen their approval ratings fall in the wake of the third wave, although there has been little impact on the Liberal government in Ottawa. The political consequences will remain significant in the coming months.

Impacts

• Changes in government could see all provinces except Saskatchewan have a carbon tax in place by 2023.
• Manitoba could see the election of Wab Kinew as Canada’s first Indigenous provincial premier if current trends continue.
• Universal pharmacare is off the table for now, as Ottawa and provinces seek to woo back pharmaceutical investment.
• A return to power of the NDP in Alberta would see several significant mining and oil sands projects cancelled.