Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor's department is seeking submissions from stakeholders on a proposal to introduce a 2.3 per cent annual regulatory fee on the revenues for certain licensed marijuana producers. The Hill Times file photograph by Andrew Meade
Pot industry urges feds to hold off on plan to recover regulatory costs
Allan Rewak, executive director of the Cannabis Canada Council, is urging the government to consider postponing the implementation of the cost-recovery fee until at least a year after legalization.
Refugee advocates dispute Canada facing ‘crisis’ over arrival of claimants from U.S. border, NDP says ‘Conservatives misrepresent issue’
Politicians and some journalists have been loose with the words 'illegal' and 'crisis,' which doesn't apply to Canada's situation, says Alex Neve of Amnesty International Canada.Amid strained relations with U.S., Ontario, Trudeau debuts bigger cabinet with fresh faces, new posts
Five MPs were sworn in as new ministers, expanding the front bench to 35 from 30, while 11 existing cabinet members were shuffled to new posts or had their titles and responsibilities altered. No one was dropped.Politics This Morning
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Some politicos question Grégoire Trudeau’s involvement in government activities, others say she deserves more credit for her work
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau has been given an honorary title by Parks Canada and appeared at a 2018 post-budget announcement with Labour Minister Patty Hajdu, among other activities.NPR, Politico latest U.S. news outlets expanding northward, shaking up Canadian media environment
Hill reporters say it's not a direct threat to them, but some worry about how a shift in news consumption to U.S. outlets could eat away at Canadian outlets' revenues.Centre Block occupants prepare for summer clear-out
Though plans are still not concrete, roughly 20 Liberal MPs, nine Conservative MPs, five NDP MPs, 10 Senators, and Senate administration staff will be moving this summer.High-level bureaucrat’s public sector exit prompts shuffle among Phoenix fixers
Marc Lemieux has taken over from assistant deputy minister Danielle May-Cuconato, who was in charge of the project management office behind the Phoenix fix.PMO mum over whether Trudeau raised concerns over ‘rising tide’ of anti-Semitism with the Latvian PM
The feds can be more forthright to condemn Nazi glorification and anti-Semitism in Europe, says a leading Jewish Canadian advocacy group.House committee votes to examine feds’ response to migrant issue, calls in three ministers to testify
At a time of increased tension between the federal and Ontario governments over who should cough up money for them, the committee voted unanimously to study the federal response to and impact of migrant crossings on some cities and provinces.Trudeau’s handling of groping allegation has ‘terribly set back’ progress on women’s issues, puts him in tricky situation too, say political players
'I've had an inbox full of messages from victims saying, 'What do I do now? Because I'm really worried that the tide is turning back,' says Kathleen Finlay, CEO of the Centre for Patient Protection.Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor's department is seeking submissions from stakeholders on a proposal to introduce a 2.3 per cent annual regulatory fee on the revenues for certain licensed marijuana producers. The Hill Times file photograph by Andrew Meade
Pot industry urges feds to hold off on plan to recover regulatory costs
Allan Rewak, executive director of the Cannabis Canada Council, is urging the government to consider postponing the implementation of the cost-recovery fee until at least a year after legalization.
Brexit and Brand Britain: authority abhors a barmpot
Can the country that stood against authoritarianism during its last major surge pull the geopolitical equivalent of Stuart Sutcliffe leaving the Beatles and maintain its authority?Feminist PM has painted himself into a corner
Justin Trudeau’s alleged fall from grace, knocked off that upright uptight pedestal of piety by media regurgitation of a purported groping incident from 18 years ago, is not so much a #MeToo moment as a GOTCHA moment.Mr. Prime Minister, meet George Costanza
What we have witnessed in recent weeks has been a tortured series of dodges, weaves and reversals on the part of the prime minister as he tried to explain recycled reports that he allegedly groped a female reporter during an outdoor summer festival in 2000.
Feds shy away from endorsing regulatory overhaul for ‘high-concern’ chemicals in CEPA reform
A bill reforming Canada's foremost environment law won't be tabled until a 'later Parliament,' McKenna said.Advocates welcome accessibility bill, but some worry regulations timeline pushes benefits too far away
The regulatory process for Bill C-81, which could take up to four years, will make sure there’s adequate consultation, says Persons with Disabilities Minister Kirsty Duncan.Busiest departments blame request uptick for ongoing access to information backlog
Several agencies say they are hiring more analysts and adopting innovative approaches to address the long delays, and the complaints that come with them.
Circumpolar Inuit gather for historic assembly in Alaska
More than 40 years ago, the Inuit Circumpolar Council was founded to promote cooperation between four circumpolar nations.Bowing to Putin, Trump doubles down as disruptor on world stage
The potential long-term damage from Trump’s attempts to deconstruct U.S. foreign policy is incalculable.The week of France: hundreds of partygoers flock the embassy for Bastille Day, World Cup
The French Embassy opened its doors to hundreds over the course of the week for two Bastille Day events and a viewing of France's winning World Cup final match.
A government reboot is in the cards this summer
The Trudeau team needs to do some work on itself before it goes back to the people to seek their confidence.Trans Mountain, capital flight and bank law put Finance Minister Bill Morneau atop the May lobbying list
'We should never find ourselves in that situation again,' says Tim McMillan, CEO of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, who chatted with Mr. Morneau about the Trans Mountain Pipeline purchase.‘Extraordinary’ Canada-U.S. trade spat brings lobbyists ‘out of the woodwork’
Fearing more Canadian tariffs against other countries, some steel users are hiring lobbyists for the first time.
‘Always in a good mood and a team player’: Ex-Liberal MP, artist Eugène Bellemare dies at 86
Plus, Liberal MP Salma Zahid announced on July 16 she is cancer free and will be returning to the Hill in fall, and a pilot program this year will help link scientists with politicians.
Canada’s lobbying office turns 10, ex-Conservative MP running for mayor
Former Conservative MP Joe Preston throws his hat into the St. Thomas, Ont., mayoral race, and David McCarthy, former PCO staffer, joins government relations firm Sussex Strategy Group.
Natural Resources Minister Carr names new press secretary
Mackenzie Radan has been working for Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr since March 2016, most recently as a policy adviser and issues manager.
Ex-MP Mike Wallace snags Japanese honour
Nunavut artist Bart Hanna was selected to create a sculpture for Centre Block and Anna Desmarais joins iPolitics to cover immigration, Indigenous Affairs, the environment, and foreign affairs.Heritage Minister Joly borrows PMO adviser Dea to serve as her interim chief of staff
While Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould recently tapped Alexander Steinhouse to fill in as her acting director of parliamentary affairs.Leslie Church, chief of staff to Joly, gives birth on Canada Day, baby decked out in red and white
Former Conservative cabinet minister Gerry Ritz has been nominated to be inducted into Canada's Agricultural Hall of Fame and Nik Nanos has been appointed chair of Carleton University’s Board of Governors. 
Canada has a lot to do to fight climate change as we swelter in rising temperatures.
The answer is to make the transition to a low-carbon world, one where we replace fossil fuels with other sources of energy, such as hydropower, nuclear power, and the new technologies of solar, wind, and hydrogen.
Why we should be pulling out all the stops to expand renewable energy
Why is there no federal program to help business, homeowners and institutions— basically anyone with a roof—install solar panels? Where are the innovations to develop stored water systems for renewable energy storage?
Will Canada meet its 2030 clean energy goals? Look to natural gas, electric cars, and carbon pricing for clues
The federal government wants to move to a low-carbon economy, and electricity generation will be a critical part.
Energy transition may result in job losses, says renewable energy expert
Renewable energy is so efficient that it can be sustained without a large workforce, says the expert.Canada’s future is clean: Grit MP Rudd
The Generation Energy Council’s new report is less of a blueprint than a North Star for Canada’s clean-energy future—pointing us to where Canadians want to go, and how to achieve that transformation.
Politics This Morning: Trudeau hits the fundraising circuit; MacAulay wraps up ministerial meet-up
Our soldiers can teach recruits drills and weapons handling, but there is no way we can make them willing to die for a corrupt regime.
The strategy is expected to launch in the next few weeks, a sign of hope a long time in the making. But simply having a plan isn’t enough.
How could the regime make itself safer from another rebellion? Get rid of as many as possible of the poorer Sunnis, and particularly those who lived in the cities, writes columnist Gwynne Dyer.
Donald Trump's slash-and-burn geopolitics stokes the sort of chaos that drives the defence spending he has called for.
It is something to think about the next time you enjoy some shady park, or quiet beach, or lakeside boardwalk—or even breath in surprisingly fresh summer air. It takes politicians, and bureaucrats, with vision, shrewdness, and community support to beat back the greedy, self-interested, banal armies of the status quo.
He has dominated the politics of this era like no other, standing bestride it like a Cheeto-coloured colossus.The Hill Times in print
Politics This Morning
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Natural Resources Minister Carr promotes new comms director
Plus, Environment Minister Catherine McKenna has a new interim communications director in her office, as her permanent D. Comms takes maternity leave.Morneau plucks new press secretary straight from the Trade Minister’s Office
Veteran staffer Lucio Durante is now senior director, national field at the federal Liberal Party’s headquarters in Ottawa, helping to get the party ready for 2019.GRIC exec stay on to see through review of Lobbying Act
Two former Harper-era staffers have landed consultancy gigs and New Brunswick CBC News reporter Jacques Poitras has a new book coming out.
U.S. embassy draws about 1,000 party-goers to Fourth of July bash
Despite threats of a boycott, many Canadian politicos showed up to the party. 'We should come here. We don’t have control over what the U.S. does or does not do; we only have control of how we present ourselves,' said Senator Michael MacDonald.Press gallery members schmooze, bhangra, and laugh at annual dinner
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer didn't hold back on jokes about the media or from making fun of each other.Departing Slovak envoy foresees ‘smooth’ CETA ratification
‘I do not foresee any challenges,' says Andrej Droba of the Canada-EU deal, despite Italian opposition.Canada, Tunisia must build ties beyond aid, says visiting foreign minister
Khemaies Jhinaoui says an investment protection deal is in the works and could be signed by the end of the year.Premiers to meet, cabinet shuffle expected July 18
Territorial and provincial premiers are set to gather in Saint Andrews, N.B., for their annual summer retreat, until July 20. Federal, provincial, and territorial agriculture ministers will also meet July 18 to 20.
Inside the newsroom: The Hill Times hosted a lunch on Wednesday featuring traditional Anishnabeg cuisine to mark last month's National Indigenous Peoples Day. Wild-rice salad, seapie, beaver with mustard, bannock, and mashed potatoes were on the menu.Annual Features
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