Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this week announced his government's plans to, if re-elected, enact a ban on single-use plastics. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Environmentalists brace for resistance from industry over single-use plastics ban
Despite increasing awareness of the threat plastic poses to the environment, Sylvain Charlebois, senior director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie, said he expects there will be some resistance from consumers.
What do local residents and First Nations think of LNG Canada?
We asked people in Northern B.C. what they would tell Canadians about why they support LNG Canada. Here’s what they had to say.
Feds pick three vendors to pilot Phoenix replacement projects
Treasury Board President Joyce Murray says it’s ‘too soon to say’ which or how many vendors will be tapped to provide new public servant payment services.Liberal backers want to implement new NAFTA now, but Conservative supporters want to wait until after looming election, poll suggests
Forum Research's interactive voice response telephone poll is based on 1,633 randomly selected responses from May 31 to June 2. It has a margin of error of three per cent 19 times out of 20.Politics This Morning
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Conservatives vulnerable to intolerance attacks, and ‘clumsy’ Cooper episode feeds into perceptions, say strategists, pollster
Stripping Conservative MP Michael Cooper of his deputy critic role would have sent a stronger message, says Tim Powers.ISG Senators to propose amending Bill C-48 to allow tanker access to Nisga’a Nation: Sen. Paula Simons
The amendments would respect the rights of the coastal First nation and give Alberta hope for exporting heavy oil from the coast, says the Independent Senators from Alberta.Media fund panel takes shape amid transparency, partisanship concerns
The Canadian Association of Journalists only agreed to come onboard following the government’s agreement to waive confidentiality agreement requirements for panel members.New-parent MPs allowed year-long pass from House duties under long-awaited leave changes
‘This is a really important step for a culture change on Parliament Hill,’ says Democratic Institutions Minister Karina Gould of the new system for parental leave.Union pans $2.6-billion public-private contract to modernize federal heating, cooling
The $2.6-billion contract will help reduce emissions by 60 per cent, says Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, but PSAC is concerned with public-private partnerships they say 'regularly fail.' Departing Chinese ambassador on career ‘fast-track,’ rhetoric worsened relations, say former diplomats
Canada has been without an ambassador in China for five months, during a time when relations with China have deteriorated. Now there’s reports Chinese Ambassador Lu Shaye is set to depart for a new post.Senate ushers back on the job as Chamber resumes contract with security firm
Contractors hired to man Senate of Canada Building doors returned on June 10 after a Senate committee reviewed the sole-source contract signed by senior officials without their knowledge.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this week announced his government's plans to, if re-elected, enact a ban on single-use plastics. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Environmentalists brace for resistance from industry over single-use plastics ban
Despite increasing awareness of the threat plastic poses to the environment, Sylvain Charlebois, senior director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie, said he expects there will be some resistance from consumers.
What do local residents and First Nations think of LNG Canada?
We asked people in Northern B.C. what they would tell Canadians about why they support LNG Canada. Here’s what they had to say.
The Democrats and Democracy: 2020 is about values, not ideology
In normal circumstances, beating Trump in 2020 would be a laugher. But again, in normal circumstances, he wouldn’t be … you know.Trudeau may be guilty of over-reaching, but Scheer needs to reach further
The prime minister may apologize too much, but Andrew Scheer also needs more than words.Lessons from the Doug Ford School of Public Administration
Treat the public like a bunch of dazzled rubes, avoid annoying demands for consultation and advance information, personal grudges are as good a basis for public policy as anything else, and other lessons from year one. 
Lobbyists increasingly target Senate as Liberals make final legislative push
At 517 lobbying records in the first four months of 2019, the volume of lobbyists targeting the Senate has already surpassed the annual totals common before the Justin Trudeau's government came to power.Bill C-48: a defining moment for the Senate
To propose additions or corrections to a bill is one thing. To change the policy choice of the government or to try to outsmart it on the ways to achieve a policy is beyond our realm.MP Hoback ‘disappointed’ in lack of Trudeau-Pelosi contact as USMCA talks get testy south of border
But observers of the Ottawa-Washington relationship say it isn't a pressing concern for Mr. Trudeau to speak with the leader of the U.S. House Democrats.
We need to use term ‘genocide’ carefully before it loses all meaning, and impact
When we throw out terms like genocide for what is happening now in Canada we dilute the concept.Sudan: no surprise
The Sudanese Professionals Association is calling for a campaign of 'sweeping civil disobedience to topple the treacherous and killer military council,' but unless it can take back control of the streets, it’s all over.Why’d Duncan cancel the Network of National Centres of Excellence program?
The route to better policy is through public engagement. But this seems to be the last thing the Trudeau government wants.
Lobbyists seek clarity after watchdog warns political statements risk contravening code
‘This may keep individuals from participating in the political process,' says Ottawa lobbyist Scott Thurlow.New agriculture minister Bibeau most lobbied in first month on the job
With only five sitting days, March’s 1,435 reports made for a slow month for lobbying.‘Worrying’ transparency gap in sponsored travel, say critics after lobbying czar report
‘Of course sponsored travel is about lobbying, it’s about gaining influence,’ says NDP MP Charlie Angus, and needs more oversight.
PSPC Minister Qualtrough names new press secretary
The public services minister also recently added a new policy adviser and a new special assistant to her office.
Former prime ministers, rivals, come out to celebrate John Turner’s 90th birthday
Plus, a Toronto-area Conservative candidate wants to move election date away from a Jewish holiday, and NDP MP Christine Moore will not run for re-election.
Hot Room used to run ‘biggest bootlegging joint in Canada’
Back in the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s, Don Newman, now 78, who first got a job on the Hill as a young reporter for The Globe and Mail in 1969, remembers pushing past the crowd of drinkers in the Hot Room to file his stories.Party on the Hill, one party of the year
The Hill Times' annual Party on the Hill brought politicos together for the last big party before the October election. Rodger and me: friends and colleagues roast and toast departing Grit MP Rodger Cuzner
Plus, social media is fuming over the latest Chateau Laurier addition plans, and Pierre Poilievre turns 40 and gets thrown out of a plane. 
Whole-of-society approach needed to keep plastics in economy, but out of landfills
Canada needs to capitalize on the opportunity to follow Europe’s example and ensure we’re not bringing any unintended repercussions on businesses and job creators.
In the push for women’s empowerment, rural women can’t be left behind
On virtually every measurable development indicator—including poverty, hunger, education, and health—rural women fare worse than rural men and urban women.
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Minister Bennett says government ‘respects’ MMIWG conclusion of genocide
Ms. Bennett addressed northern food insecurity and the MMIWG report in an email exchange with The Hill Times.
Inuit Nunangat policy space would be a sign of genuine reconciliation
Acknowledging Inuit Nunangat’s unique political and cultural primacy and expertise within our existing democratic governance structure is paramount to us in the North.Liberal action absent North of the 60th
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Politics This Morning: Trudeau to meet with Trump next week amid push to ratify new NAFTA
Plus, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May plans to hold a presser in West Block in response to the Alberta government's lobbying campaign on the TMX pipeline, ahead of the government's announcement of its decision on the project's fate next week.
This legislation seems to be just another colonial approach to change the system without adequate consultation or inclusion of Indigenous interests, writes Stephen Buffalo, a member of Alberta’s Samson Cree Nation.
They may be special forces troops and secret police, left over from the old dictatorship and long rewarded for abusing and murdering the old regime’s enemies, who will gladly serve a new dictatorship.
Hydrographic surveys are required to produce nautical charts, and updated surveys allow for safer and more efficient marine transportation in Canada’s northern waters.
While the DND leadership put forward what it believed to be the best approach, based on existing government policy, Mark Norman’s advice itself changed what government policy was.
Not only has the veterans affairs portfolio been deprioritized, but the prime minister has also betrayed a formal commitment he made to Canada’s veterans and their families during the 2015 election campaign.
Without any consultation on public discussion, Mario Dion erected a significant new barrier to exempt staff in ministers' offices joining the public service.Is democracy possible?
It’s not easy to feel optimistic about democracy these days. In his important new book, Teardown: Rebuilding Democracy from the Ground Up, activist and author Dave Meslin tackles our democratic deficit and proposes meaningful solutions that would encourage more connectivity between citizens and their governments.Meslin’s first-ever book a condemnation of and prescription for all that ails modern Canadian politics
As in a forest, old trees fall down to make way for the new—and there are ‘a bunch of old dead trees in Ottawa’ right now, says Canadian activist Dave Meslin. 
Politics This Morning
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Conservative Leader Scheer makes changes to his OLO communications team
Former Doug Ford staffers Veronica Green and Simon Jefferies have now officially joined Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer’s communications team.Long service awards handed out to 109 MP staffers
The now-annual award was resurrected for the first time last year. Last week’s ceremony honoured 110 staffers who reached service milestones in 2018. House Speaker Regan hosts kitchen party at Kingsmere Farm
Plus, Liberal MP Rob Oliphant has emergency appendix removal surgery and his caucus colleague Peter Fragiskatos gets hitched.John Turner’s friends to throw his 90th birthday bash on June 10 in Ottawa
Plus, The Hill Times and CPAC to host evening discussion on 'Race and Politics,' June 19 at National Arts Centre, and Maryam Monsef named to top 20 list of most influential people in global gender equality policy. Public servants, feds inch closer to contracts with tentative agreements before election
The Public Service Alliance of Canada remains at an impasse with the federal government however, with national president Chris Aylward saying they won’t take an ‘inferior’ deal just to get it done before the election. SAP Canada pitches NextGen plan to standardize human resources processes
When processes are 'standardized, the collective input into a payroll system becomes a lot simpler,' says Robert Conlin, SAP Canada's vice-president of the public sector.Wählen Whalen Weis wins 2019 Labatt Election Brew
The 2019 Labatt Election Brew Off was held at the National Arts Centre in support of Equal Voice. Labatt donated $25,000 to Equal Voice in honour of Liberal MP Nick Whalen's winning Belgian Wit beer.Book on toxic masculinity takes top prize at 2019 Politics and the Pen
Rachel Giese's book, Boys: What it Means to Become a Man, won the $25,000 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize at the 2019 Politics and the Pen event in Ottawa. Diplomatic spouses find community, give back with Wabano fundraiser
The Heads of Mission Spouses Association is planning a June 11 charity event for the Wabano Centre, helping raise funds for school supplies for 50 children.Israel envoy announces departure, welcomes free trade agreement
A bill to modernize the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement, first signed in 1997, received royal assent on May 27.Parliamentarians talk about being women on the ballot on June 13
Bloc MP Monique Pauzé, Liberal MP Iqra Khalid, NDP MP Irene Mathyssen, and Conservative MP Karen Vecchio are among those on a panel co-hosted by the Pearson Centre and the All-Party Women's Caucus on June 13 to discuss the impact of social media on women politicians. The Hill Times file photographs and handout photograph
A woman cradles a baby in her arms during the closing ceremony to mark the handover of the final report of the National Inquiry into the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. 
Comedian Rick Mercer and then-Reform Party MP Deb Grey, pictured in the late 1990s on Parliament Hill doing a shoot for CBC's This Hour Has 22 Minutes, which Mr. Mercer hosted at the time. The Hill Times photograph by Terry McDonald 
