Canada’s most-lobbied staffers drive policy tied to federal purse

Two Senate committees at standstill, as membership negotiations ensue

The Red Chamber’s national security and legal committees haven’t met since June after this summer's retirement of their respective chairs.

Senators, Indigenous activists frustrated by feds’ silence on Bill S-3

The amendment to remove sex discrimination is still under study by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, and the legislation hasn’t returned to the Senate floor.

On climate change, feds must catch up not slow down

The report is a wake-up call. Canada is not on track to meet its 2030 climate commitments, while timelines on policy implementation are getting longer and measures to address climate change continue to weaken.

Political financing bill a ‘Seinfeld episode,’ critics tell Minister Gould it’s ‘not very substantive’

It doesn't ban cash-for-access fundraisers, says Conservative critic Scott Reid. The bill would bring in some reporting requirements, but nothing will substantially change.

Bill to ban unhealthy food ads for kids clears Senate, House sponsor sought

An advertising lobby group vows to continue pushback against the bill.

‘I’m a true believer in the strength of teamwork,’ Payette touts civic duty, Indigenous reconciliation in inaugural speech as GG

Although Julie Payette highlighted a number of issues such as global poverty and fighting climate change, she did not list her specific priorities like departing Governor General David Johnston had in his 2010 Installation Day speech.

Canada’s most-lobbied staffers drive policy tied to federal purse

There are no surprises with the most lobbied in government, with Innovation, Finance and Infrastructure policy advisers seeing the most communications with stakeholders.

Canada’s chief NAFTA negotiator Steve Verheul most lobbied federal bureaucrat

Steve Verheul is deemed accessible and inclusive by industry stakeholders actively watching NAFTA talks.

Business groups target key MPs, committees in push against tax reforms

Liberal MPs are getting nervous and asking questions as the tax reform debate heats up, says the CFIB, but one MP says it’s more a matter of fighting misinformation.

Quebec’s lobbyist registry best in Canada, though all struggle in key transparency metrics: study

Only one federal or provincial lobbying registry, that of Quebec, requires lobbyists to disclose their compensation.

Intra-party, all-party caucuses multiplying

The Hill Times found more than 80 all-party and internal caucuses where MPs meet to discuss issues and sometimes try to influence policy.

All-party caucuses should make member lists public: animal rights group

The Animal Protection Party of Canada wants the Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus to name its MP members who helped kill an animal rights bill last fall. Caucus co-chair Bob Zimmer said the group is searching for a scapegoat after a bad bill it liked was defeated.