A strong economy depends on a strong social sector
We must invest in the social infrastructure that supports essential community services that return value to the economy and to communities.
House Finance Committee faces pre-budget time crunch ahead of fall tabling
The amount of influence the House Finance Committee can have on a government budget is debatable, say observers, who note the fall schedule could provide an opportunity to adjust the process.
Plan tackling gender-based violence needs funding renewed, say advocates amid concerns over budget cuts
With the issue at ‘epidemic levels’ in Canada, advocates are worried about the national plan’s future with funding sunsetting by 2027.
Buckle up, federal public service cuts expected to be deep
Prime Minister Mark Carney promised to save $25-billion and to boost military spending significantly, but he and his government better make sure the cuts don’t affect vital services to Canadians, including at the Canada Revenue Agency, Employment and Social Development Canada, and Citizenship and Immigration. That would create another other mess for the country, and no one wants that. The government is also setting itself up for another showdown with the public service unions.
Fixing feds’ fiscal plumbing takes more than tinkering
HR teams have grown into sprawling bureaucracies, often mirrored by similar functions hidden within other branches. These duplications add cost, complexity, and confusion.
What will be the fate of the budget watchdog? ‘Nobody has talked to me,’ says Giroux
Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux’s term is up soon, with no replacement named as a major fall reset is about to unfold.
Why government’s aversion to risk impacts Indigenous Peoples the most
CIRNAC and ISC must be forced to actually get the money out the door to Indigenous communities because this is the rare case in which federal spending done poorly actually leads to lost lives.
Senate ethics office ‘not keeping up with demand,’ calls for more resources in annual report
The first annual report from the new Senate Ethics Officer says the office is struggling with ‘strained’ resources and unable to keep up with Senator’s requests.
PSPC’s three-year $17.5-billion spending plan lacks clear roadmap to future goals, say insiders
With billions on the line and a track record of failed targets, how PSPC plans to deliver on its goals is unclear from its recent departmental plan. ‘Fact is, if the department can’t meet the expectations of delivery for this new government, then heads will roll,’ says Sahir Khan.
From bureaucratic bloat to resilient growth: delivering on Carney’s economic vision
Federal leadership can’t fix everything. Health care and education are provincial. But Ottawa can lead by example and partner with provinces that want to move first. The fix isn’t glossy strategies or more regional programs. It’s about value.
