Saudi spat with Canada could be ‘proxy’ for U.S. quarrels with Trudeau government, experts say

The diplomatic quarrel could be a proxy for the United States' own dispute with Canada, 'given that Canada has antagonized the U.S. over issues of trade,' says a University of Toronto professor.

Trudeau Liberals’ final budget features measures for skills training, rural broadband, border security

Whereas last year’s budget was largely pitched at women, this year, Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s final budget is focused on skills training to help older workers and youth adapt to a rapidly changing workforce.

Feds pledge more than $4-billion in pre-election budget for Indigenous file

Advancing reconciliation was a key theme of the budget, which included money to forgive loans on comprehensive claim negotiations, to implement Jordan's Principle, and revitalize Indigenous languages.

PM Trudeau needs to ‘reset the tone,’ hire a PMO caucus liaison, and be more accessible to his Grit MPs, say Liberals

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will informally consult MPs, former parliamentarians, and experts from a wide range of backgrounds on his caucus and cabinet management style, says a PMO official.

Chagger warns of more time allocation, but Conservatives say House cooperation conditional on Liberal ‘transparency’ over SNC-Lavalin

The government has 10 sitting weeks left to pass legislation to bolster its resume for voters before the next election, and 21 government bills still progressing through the House and Senate.

Observers eager to see bills on Indigenous languages, child services passed, but legislative time-crunch a cause for concern

Changes to address Indigenous language loss and child welfare are seen as ‘high priority,’ but with calls for broad amendments, the short timeframe left to pass bills C-91 and C-92 is a source of frustration for some.

Wilson-Raybould says SNC-Lavalin scandal a ‘wake-up call’ and May says two former cabinet ministers to change ‘old boys club’ from the inside 

Meanwhile, former Liberal MP Mary Clancy says the SNC-Lavalin controversy is a ‘bump in the road’ and said Liberal MPs have full confidence in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s leadership.

Amid SNC-Lavalin lobbying, legalizing deferred prosecution agreements in budget bill raises questions about ‘timing’ and ‘undue influence,’ says ethics lawyer

Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s explanation for the move—helping the economy—puts him in a direct contradiction with his own law, says ex-Conservative finance minister Joe Oliver.

Time to debate separating top civil servant’s roles, says leading expert Savoie

Amid allegations of partisanship against Michael Wernick, Prof. Donald Savoie says he could stay as DM to the PM and secretary to cabinet, but another bureaucrat may be better suited as the public service head.

How Robert ‘Fife the knife’ broke the SNC-Lavalin story and 40 years of other scoops

The Globe and Mail bureau chief's vast source list and eye for detail has helped him expose numerous government scandals, including the SNC-Lavalin affair, which he broke with Steven Chase and Sean Fine.