Business of the nation begins, you’re on

You are all there to make a difference, do a job, and get noticed. Enjoy it. Wherever you’re sitting in the Chamber of the House of Commons, you have a front row seat to Canadian political theatre.

In defiance of O’Toole, Saskatchewan MPs vote to back Batters in regional caucus: source

In a regional caucus meeting Thursday evening, Saskatchewan MPs voted overwhelmingly in support of Senator Denise Batters' staying in the Saskatchewan caucus.

Alexa McDonough and the cost of blazing trails

Alexa McDonough, who died on Jan. 15 at the age of 77, was the second woman to lead the federal NDP from 1995 through 2006; a time, her former colleagues recall, in which women in politics faced much sexism.

Ottawa on the hook for $4-billion tied to abandoned mines’ cleanup in the North

NDP MP Lori Idlout says the Liberals need to hold companies accountable. ‘Our communities can’t continue to be disregarded when the profit is gone and we’re left to clean up the mess.'

Agriculture Minister Bibeau has a new acting chief of staff, Jérémy Gauthier

Other changes to the minister’s staff lineup this Parliament include Emerson Vandenberg’s promotion to policy director, and Allison St-Jean’s hiring as communications director.

‘Against the flow’: critics question move by Canada’s Pension Plan Investment fund to keep supporting big polluters

But the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board remains wary of any attempts to write climate concerns into its mandate.

‘In a perfect storm right now’: labour supply, record immigration complicate daunting housing supply problem, say experts

Canada welcomed more than 401,000 new permanent residents in 2021, 341,000 permanent residents in 2019, and was able to admit more than 184,500 over the course of 2020 despite the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘We should respect each other’: South Africa says notification not given before travel ban imposed

A Global Affairs spokesperson says the South African High Commission was notified on the same day that the travel ban was announced, which the mission disputes.

Three years on, Canada delays naming an ambassador to the Holy See

Not having an ambassador to the Holy See sends a symbolic message, say former Canadian diplomats, but it may not make a practical difference compared to having the post represented by a chargé d'affaires.

Lobbyists concerned potential rule changes could hinder volunteer opportunities in campaigns

Proposed changes to the Lobbyists' Code of Conduct include a mandatory one-year cooling-off period for lobbyists following political activities such as door-to-door canvassing during an election campaign.