Information commissioner Caroline Maynard, left, and Conservative Senator Claude Carignan, right, both hope for Senate amendments to Bill C-58. Senate bill sponsor Independent Pierrette Ringuette, centre, says the Conservatives are using 'delay tactics' to put off the bill's study at committee.
The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, file photograph
Conservative ‘political shenanigans’ delay access bill review in Upper Chamber, says Senate sponsor
Canada's new information commissioner says the bill could impose new barriers and even deter requests, echoing calls for changes that she says are more important than having the bill pass right away.
Liberals risk new-Canadian vote with border-crossing response, say pollsters
Politicians and the media are to blame for using needlessly alarmist language on the rise of asylum seekers, when the system has the capacity to manage, says a former Immigration and Refugee Board chair.Indigenous services minister says plan to eliminate water advisories is on track
In a Q&A this week, Jane Philpott also said she hopes Indigenous child welfare legislation will be tabled by fall, and that in leading her new department she's focused on customer service and improved staff morale.Politics This Morning
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NDP MP Moore likely had no choice but to defend herself by offering intimate details of sexual encounter with Afghanistan veteran, say observers
NDP MP Christine Moore 'clearly wanted to get her side of the story out and, given the potential consequences for her career and her reputation, I don't blame her for trying to do that,' says Conservative strategist Rachel Curran.Senators want more control in clerk selection, PMO to butt out
Parliament ‘isn’t an instrument of government,’ says Tory Sen. Housakos, who put forward a motion that the next Senate clerk be appointed ‘with the express recommendation of the Senate.’Lobbying czar calls for ‘transparency by default,’ cutting 20 per cent rule
NDP MP Charlie Angus also wants Parliamentarians to discuss regulating lobbyists who take up jobs as political staffers.With eight sitting days before Kinder Morgan’s deadline, no word on pipeline legislation
Expect disabilities legislation to be tabled before summer, but the government to otherwise focus on getting through priority bills already in the House.PM, cabinet ministers, 90 per cent of Grit caucus complete House sexual harassment training, Trudeau ‘was very interactive’
The MPs' harassment training session is called 'Strengthening a Culture of Respect from Awareness to Action,' and as of last week, more than two-thirds of all the MPs have completed it, House of Commons spokesperson Heather Bradley says.Liberal MPs suggest more than 100 amendments to government’s environmental impact assessment bill
But opposition MPs are up in arms over the tight timeline set by the Liberals on the House Environment Committee for reviewing hundreds of proposed changes to the bill.Under pressure, department stops study into ‘greening’ Centennial Flame
Public Services and Procurement Canada’s decision to study eco-friendly replacements to natural gas ignited criticism.Information commissioner Caroline Maynard, left, and Conservative Senator Claude Carignan, right, both hope for Senate amendments to Bill C-58. Senate bill sponsor Independent Pierrette Ringuette, centre, says the Conservatives are using 'delay tactics' to put off the bill's study at committee.
The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, file photograph
Conservative ‘political shenanigans’ delay access bill review in Upper Chamber, says Senate sponsor
Canada's new information commissioner says the bill could impose new barriers and even deter requests, echoing calls for changes that she says are more important than having the bill pass right away.
Scheer targets fallout of Harper years
A year into his new job as Conservative leader, Andrew Scheer is methodically trying to mend some of the fences broken by his predecessor. Fresh from a weekend appearance on Radio-Canada’s talk show Tout le…Canadian people’s Senate: a work in progress
There will be those who will continue to criticize reforms and try to keep things as they were, but Senators should not let such carping discourage them. We can continue to make it our Senate, and make full use of its increasing capacity to enhance our democracy.Solving Phoenix could take up to nine years, NDP MP estimates, but minister disagrees
'That’s just not acceptable,' says NDP MP Randall Garrison. Public Services Minister Carla Qualtrough disputes his estimate, but won't say exactly when the system will be fixed.
Scheer says he and PBO on same page on $600-million-plus cost estimate of his bill
The PBO says Andrew Scheer's proposed tax credit could cost as much as $868.6 million in the first fiscal year in which it would come into effect. The Tories say that's about the same number they estimated.Questions abound on drug-impaired driving bill as clock ticks down to cannabis legalization
Conservative Sen. Boisvenu says the bill should be changed to have zero tolerance for those who smoke and drive, as the committee hears of the potential for court challenges.Service quality, meeting Liberal promises ‘competing priorities’ at Veterans Affairs, department warns
Critics say the Liberals have ‘over-promised’ to veterans while Minister Seamus O'Regan says the government won’t be walking back any of its commitments.
Quebec survey respondents positive, pragmatic about ties with China
A new survey shows that Quebecers have views of China even more positive than in the rest of Canada.G7 can’t exclude U.S., despite disagreements, say envoys
The group split most recently on the U.S. decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal.A rampant Trump makes the world more dangerous by the day
He may eke out a surprising win in North Korea, but on Iran and Israel, he’s deteriorating years of careful diplomatic work.
Philpott’s $9-billion Indigenous Services budget triple Bennett’s in new departments’ inaugural year
Indigenous Services has a budget of $9.3-billion compared to $3.1-billion for Crown-Indigenous Relations, according to the main estimates.Trade tops March lobbying, with Mercosur, NAFTA, CPTPP talks all in play
Environment Minister Catherine McKenna and Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr tied as the most lobbied in cabinet in March.MPs defend taking trips paid by lobbyists, foreign governments, but some say the practice needs review
The Hill Times sent questions to all 72 MPs who accepted $620,000 worth of free travel in 2017 and learned most see the practice as important to their parliamentary work, but are divided on the subject of limits and lobbying.
New staffers for ministers Freeland, Morneau, Sajjan
Plus, Zita Astravas, chief of staff to the defence minister, is on leave from the Hill to help out the Ontario Liberal campaign.
Library of Parliament Committee meeting three years overdue
CP's Washington correspondent Alex Panetta is leaving the wire service for an undisclosed new opportunity, and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh lands a spot on the Young Global Leaders list created by the World Economic Forum.
Health minister hires new communications director, Mathieu Filion, from Duclos’ team
Juniors Damy has left the Prime Minister’s Office, where he’d been a special assistant for appointments for more than two years.
Talaga win caps off lively Politics & the Pen gala
Margo McDiarmid is retiring from the CBC after more than 30 years in the business, and former prime minister Stephen Harper has signed his name to a huge ad in The New York Times applauding U.S. President Donald Trump for pulling out of the Iran deal.“The Liberal government has tabled a new Elections Reform Bill, C-76. What do you think of it? Should it be passed?”
Cameron Ahmad Liberal strategist “We are bringing forward a generational update to the Canada Elections Act. The Elections Modernization Act is a major step forward in our government’s commitment to improving and strengthening our elections…
‘This is a high-stress job that takes years off people’s lives’: MPs reflect on their own well-being after Gord Brown’s death
MPs say finding work-life balance is a struggle, but cite staying away from receptions and participating in Hill sports leagues as a way to protect their health.
Feds say they’re listening to northerners as they review food subsidies, oil and gas exploration rules, Arctic policy
Northerners need to be ‘in control of their destiny,’ says the Crown-Indigenous relations minister.
Oil and gas companies in limbo await decision on Arctic offshore drilling licences
Companies currently permitted to explore for deposits or hold on to discoveries in Arctic waters have waited in uncertainty since December 2016 over whether they can continue to operate.
Establish northern university, feds hear, as Arctic policy framework talks wrap
Canada is the only Arctic nation without a university specifically within the arctic itself, which means Canada is lagging behind, said Conservative Senator Dennis Patterson.
Plan to scrap TB in North will need Inuit trust, collaboration, says Philpott
Opposition critics say the Liberal goal of eliminating tuberculosis by 2030 is unrealistic given housing, treatment money allocated to northern regions.Anti-stigma mental health summits for youth, by youth, get a boost from Parliamentarians
OTTAWA—We are both lucky to do work that brings us in regular contact with young people. On the heels of Mental Health Week, we have an opportunity to reflect on what we can all be…
Politics This Morning
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If we are in it, it should be to win it. Otherwise it is just senseless political posturing to curry favour at the UN.
There aren’t enough emergency personnel to respond to everyone at risk. The authorities need to focus on the big picture. The feds have a role, but individuals are expected to pull their weight too.
While protecting the environment is important, well-intentioned actions, like putting in place an oil and gas exploration ban and carbon pricing, represent a U-turn in our struggle for economic prosperity.
Like so many elements of politics, corruption isn’t what it used to be. The Trump presidency is both a product and instrument of a uniquely 21st-century version.
OTTAWA—Earlier this month, the planet commemorated World Press Freedom Day, launched by the United Nations in the last century. The recognition, proclaimed by the General Assembly in 1993, coincided with the anniversary of the Declaration…
Bill C-77 will make the change the way the military system deals with victims and the accused.The Hill Times in print
Politics This Morning: Trudeau at MIT, Philpott in Alberta to take part in signing ceremony
Good Friday morning, Here’s hoping you’re having a relaxing end to your week. It might be a Netflix weekend, with Environment and Climate Change Canada predicting a cloudy and rainy Saturday (16 degrees C) in…Justice minister gets new chief of staff, Jessica Prince
Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould has a new chief of staff in her ministerial office, with former senior policy adviser Jessica Prince having recently returned to take on the top job. Ms. Prince had been a…Staff changes for Finance Minister Morneau, new directors promoted
A few more senior staffing changes have taken place in Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s office recently, including the departure of his director of parliamentary affairs, Catherine Loiacono, on April 23. Ms. Loiacono had joined Mr. Morneau’s…Tories jet off to fight Liberals in Star Wars spoof, Hann says more to come
In a galaxy far, far away (actually, it was just on Parliament Hill) Conservative MP Erin O’Toole was spotted with a lightsaber in hand ready to board a spacecraft that would take him to fight…Ottawa’s ‘nerd prom’ Politics & the Pen happens Wednesday night
One of political Ottawa’s social events of the year is just around the corner, so get out your ball gowns and tuxedos people, because Politics & the Pen is this Wednesday and the winner of…Parliamentary Centre celebrates 50 years with 300-person gala
The Parliamentary Centre started out to support the Canadian Parliament. Fifty years later, it's expanded to help 120 legislatures in 45 countries better serve the people they represent. On the evening of April 23, the…Inaugural Women on the Hill shindig draws 500, and MPs from all parties
The inaugural Women on the Hill event, hosted by Earnscliffe Strategy Group's Velma McColl at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building last Monday night, attracted nearly 500 guests who mingled, networked, and celebrated a belated International…ASEAN trade deal ‘will happen, it is very strong,’ says new Thai envoy
Thailand's new ambassador, Maris Sangiampongsa, says his country’s military-run government will “not stall” ongoing talks toward a possible trade deal between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Canada. In 2015, Mr. Sangiampongsa's predecessor said the Conservative government…Parliamentary delegation calls for ‘deeper Canadian engagement’ with Sudan after 14 years of frigid ties
Parliamentarians who earlier this year made the first official Canadian visit to Sudan in 14 years are calling on Canada to review ties with the northeast African country after years of frigid relations, with a…Ex-Parliamentarians to fête Bob Rae in Toronto May 16
Plus, the prime minister is travelling to Boston and New York this week. And Global Affairs Canada and the International Development Research Centre are hosting a panel discussion with a delegation of five women from the Syrian Negotiation Commission.
Thousands of anti-abortion demonstrators gathered on Parliament Hill for the annual March for Life on May 10. As the marchers took to the streets off the Hill that afternoon, they met counter-protesters and tied up traffic in downtown Ottawa.Annual Features
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