Foreign interference bill passes, but online harms and citizenship bills left on hold until House comes back
Bill C-63, the Liberal government’s Online Harms Act, and Bill C-71, an act to amend the Citizenship Act (2024), are stuck at second reading until the House returns in September.
‘So damn offensive’: NSICOP and Hogue findings on media raise serious concern about covert targeting of Canadian journalists
If foreign powers can convince mainstream Canadian media to report a message they wish to advance ‘it’s quite dangerous’ because it lends ‘credibility to the entire narrative,’ said MLI’s Marcus Kolga.
An Arctic strategy is the nation-building project Canada needs now
Canada’s long-term goals in the region depend on the development of Northern and Indigenous communities.
Foreign interference bill could have ‘chilling effect’ on freedom of expression, but also praised for economic security benefits
Bill C-70, the Countering Foreign Interference Act, received royal assent on June 20. But the legislation still contains loopholes that allow for secret, foreign interference in nomination contests, political party leadership contests, and elections and policymaking processes, says Democracy Watch’s Duff Conacher.
Abandoned comrades: it’s our moral obligation to support the language and cultural advisers
After playing a crucial role in Canada’s mission in Afghanistan, cultural advisers face disparity in recognition and care.
‘We’re in the dark’: CSG pushes for security clearance for Senate leaders to parse NSICOP report
Only the Canadian Senators Group has pushed to read the full NSICOP report, with the government saying access to ‘information of this nature is serious and extremely complex,’ and deciding to expand the audience ‘should not be taken lightly.’
Rethinking the NATO commitment
With a 75-year track record of 1-for-5, maybe NATO should have simply disbanded after they won the Cold War.
Canada has a procurement problem. Here’s one way to fix it
We need legislation to allow bypassing the traditional procurement process, and instead outsource the development of new solutions to the private sector and non-profits.
‘Depoliticize procurement decisions,’ say MPs in new defence report
Canada needs ‘a well-functioning defence procurement system’ with projects delivered in a timely manner, according to the report, which says that outcome should be ‘facilitated by a stable, highly skilled, and experienced defence workforce.’
Party leaders’ communications strategy on foreign interference report ‘not a positive’ for public interest, say political strategists
Canadians have no further clarity about the content of the NSICOP report because of mixed messaging from party leaders, say Garry Keller and Yaroslav Baran. Keller says the messaging has been ‘awful’ and is now sowing doubt and discord in the House and among Canadians.
