Critics warn First Nations Matrimonial Property Rights bill ‘deeply flawed’

Opposition MPs say the government bill doesn’t take into account the resources necessary to support Bill S-2’s implementation.

Tory MP Clarke’s private member’s bill to repeal sections of Indian Act could have unintended consequences, say critics

Under An Act to Amend Indian Act (Publication of Bylaws), bylaws, wills, and estates will no longer need approval from the Aboriginal Affairs minister, but the Canadian Bar Association says Sec. 7 of the bill will likely result in ‘many harsh, unintended consequences’ for First Nations peoples.

Flaherty’s slimmed-down budget bill ‘less omnibusive,’ say opposition MPs

But Green Party Leader Elizabeth May says she expects the government will table a second budget implementation bill in the fall.

Budget bill gives Harper Cabinet new powers over CBC

The federal government’s latest budget bill would give Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Cabinet the power to dictate collective bargaining and terms for other salaries and working conditions at the CBC and three other cultural or scientific Crown corporations.

PM says Federal Court ruling on PBO was ‘against partisan action of former budget officer,’ but current PBO picks up Page’s battle

Federal Court Justice Sean Harrington strongly upheld right of PBO to take the government to court if it refuses to release requested information.

Opposition MPs say feds must table robocalls legislation ‘well before’ next election

The government retreated from tabling legislation to stop dirty robocalls in elections, but says it will take the time necessary to get it right.

Week Ahead in Parliament

Status of Government Business

Transport Committee reports Rail Transport Bill back to House, stakeholders unhappy with changes

‘It’s fair to say that neither side is totally happy with the bill,’ says Conservative MP Larry Miller.

Economy, energy, First Nations, robocalls, Labrador byelection expected to dominate House

The government will be focused on passing the budget and on its $282.6-billion spending plans for the fiscal year.

Federal Court could take another six months to decide on PBO

Interim PBO, Parliamentary Librarian Sonia L’Heureux, says she will wait for Federal Court decision, ‘before deciding whether any further action is required.’

First Nations Transparency Act passes, opposition critics call it ‘paternalistic’

But Grit MP Carolyn Bennett says she thinks Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt is making an effort to reset First Nations-Crown relationship.

Status of Government Business

Week Ahead in Parliament

Status of Government Business

Opposition MPs concerned House committee probe into missing, murdered aboriginal women could be too politicized

NWAC says 600 aboriginal girls and women have been murdered or have gone missing since the 1960s.

Ethics commish calls for mandatory conflict-of-interest training for public office holders

PM should sanction MPs who break Conflict Act, says ethics expert

Monetary fines trivialize the Conflict of Interest Act, Greg Levine tells House committee conducting five-year statutory review.

40 per cent of Canadians want a reformed Senate, 31 per cent want it abolished: Forum Research poll

'While the appetite for Senate reform is not overwhelming, it exceeds the interest in abolition, so we may have the Red Chamber to kick around for a while longer,' Forum Research president Lorne Bozinoff told The Hill Times.

Tories' Senate reform reference to Supreme Court will divide country, says constitutional law professor

'Our government believes that the Senate must change in order to reach its full potential as a democratic institution serving Canadians,' says Democratic Reform Minister of State Tim Uppal.