Five-year ban on lobbying excessive, say former political staffers

The Federal Accountability Act, a cornerstone campaign commitment of the Harper Conservatives, introduced a five-year ban on lobbying activities for 'designated public office holders' after they left their Hill jobs.

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.

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.