Ethics czar’s senior counsel exercised ‘abundance of caution’ in recusal from SNC probe over potential conflict

The potential conflict of interest faced by Martine Richard, senior counsel at the ethics commissioner's office who is related by marriage to a cabinet minister, was first raised by ethics group Democracy Watch.

Senators work to change Ambrose’s judicial training bill, get it passed before summer break

Some Senators say proposed changes to the bill requiring sexual assault training for judges have broad support, but ‘games’ may delay the study.

Public service grew again in 2018, rebounding from Harper-era cuts

Since the Liberals took power in 2015, the public service has grown from 257,034 to 273,571 people in 2018, with the biggest boost coming between 2017 and 2018.

Budget bill completes INAC split, but union says transition still ‘in flux’

The AFN says it should have been consulted on the legislation finalizing the split, while the government says the bill is bringing ‘more certainty and clarity to our Indigenous partners.’

Canadian businesses not seizing on CETA as much as Europeans, need a culture shift, say analysts

The feds hope small- and medium-sized businesses take advantage of new export opportunities, but transportation costs may deter many.

Feds shift to non-traditional workspaces, but not everyone’s happy about it

Some employees have no designated desks, leaving little space for personal belongings or accessibility accommodations, say critics. But the government says the change is meant to design workspaces around client departmen

Crowded field of candidates expected for Liberal nomination in GTA swing riding of Oakville

Former Ontario Liberal MPP Kevin Flynn and University of Toronto law professor Anita Anand are seeking the Liberal nomination in Oakville, Ont.

Anxious Liberals want Grits to fill all-important national campaign director position soon

Liberal Party headquarters is still undecided on whether former PMO principal secretary Gerald Butts, a key architect of the 2015 election win, will have any role in the October federal election.

Pollsters point to rising public racism, Quebec seats to explain Liberals’ U-turn on refugees

Getting tough on refugee claimants could help the Grits to block out the Bloc Québécois in Quebec in the next election, says Greg Lyle.

Federal government ad spending rises after PM’s department bumps up limit 45 per cent in election year

The CRA used its newly beefed-up budget to run ads touting the Canada Child Benefit and two other tax benefits on buses and in prime-time TV commercials.