Steve Scherer and Ismail Shakil

OTTAWA (Reuters).-The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau inaugurated a new parliamentary sitting on Tuesday. Trudeau pledged support to British Columbia after the disastrous floods of last week and also said that it was time for climate change to be tackled.

Trudeau was re-elected https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canadas-trudeau-may-cling-power-election-looks-unlikely-secure-majority-2021-09-20 on Sept. 20 for a third time, albeit with a second minority government that will need opposition support to pass legislation.

On behalf of the prime minster, Mary May Simon, Canada’s governor-general, gave a speech in which she introduced the House of Commons to resume work that had been suspended since August.

Trudeau said that British Columbians face immeasurable difficulties as flooding has impacted their lives, communities and well-being. He also stated that the government would continue to help them.

He said that climate action must be taken faster and further to combat the effects of global warming.

The Trans Mountain pipeline was closed last week and two crucial east-west railroad lines were cut by floodwaters. The flooding https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/good-news-last-flood-hit-canadian-province-some-rail-services-restart-2021-11-19 underscored the vulnerability of Canada’s supply chains to climate change, and looked set to be the costliest https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canadas-10-costliest-natural-disasters-by-insurance-claims-2021-11-17 natural disaster to hit Canada.

Trudeau stated that controlling COVID-19 was his number one priority. Canada has launched the COVID-19 vaccines, which were recently approved by Canada for children aged 5 to 11.

Trudeau said, “Ending this pandemic permanently is the best thing for the economy.”

The federal government spent many billions to assist individuals and companies during the pandemic. However, this support is ending with COVID-19 hotspots. Trudeau said that industries who still required assistance would get it.

According to the prime minister, the Liberal government is going to tackle high living costs by creating more affordable housing options and ensuring that all families in the country can access C$10-a day childcare.

Pierre Poilievre from the Conservative Finance Critic, stated before the speech that “the government should stop pouring inflationary gasoline on to the fire,” and called for less spending. Inflation https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canadas-annual-inflation-rate-hits-47-oct-highest-since-feb-2003-2021-11-17 was at an 18-year high of 4.7% in October.

Trudeau said that he would increase immigration as a key driver for economic growth, something that has happened in the past few years.