Trudeau’s reset options dwindle as government puts itself above Parliament
There is only one answer: Hand over the documents, if only to show that Pierre Poilievre is wrong when he says you’re out to ‘axe the facts.’
Lobbying watchdog plans to reduce ’20 per cent rule’ if her term is renewed
Lobbying Commissioner Nancy Bélanger plans to update some rules if her seven-year term is renewed, but industry observers question the timing and efficacy of her proposed updates.
Standoff over records won’t change widespread document delays, denials, and discrepancies
Parliament is at a standstill over a set of records from a now-defunct agency, but has yet to go after the many instances where obstructed or embarrassing records from existing agencies are highly exempt.
Another privilege battle brewing as feds refuse to give House unredacted green fund docs
Twenty-one governmental departments and agencies responded to a June 10 order for documents by redacting or withholding information, while ten entities submitted unredacted documents.
Number of MPs taking sponsored travel drops in first half of 2024 after rule changes, foreign interference fears
As of last week, 12 MPs had disclosed 13 sponsored trips that took place between Jan. 1 and June 30, in contrast to 46 such reports during the first half of 2023.
Transition to updated lobbyists’ code raised steady questions, but that’s a positive, says lobbying commissioner
July 1 marked the one-year anniversary of the current Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct, which introduced rule changes regarding sponsored travel and gifts.
‘Loose’ nominations need tightening to combat foreign interference, say political players
While NSICOP’s report isn’t the first to spotlight weak nomination rules, NDP MP Alistair MacGregor says he is confident Bill C-70 will provide the tools to ‘counter the threat’. The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians’ redacted report examined intelligence on foreign state meddling in Canada’s democratic processes over the past six years. It is explosive.
Federal ethics commissioner to take another look at employment minister for possible ethics concerns
Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault responded to questions from the House Ethics Committee last week regarding his business affairs and connections to a lobbyist.
Sponsored travel climbed back to pre-pandemic levels in 2023 as MPs accept trips to Israel, Taiwan, U.K.
MPs accepted travel worth more than $850,000 in 2023, including from lobby groups, foreign governments, and non-government organizations.
Cabinet confidences not ‘black or white’ says former Privy Council clerk in House Ethics Committee study of SNC-Lavalin affair
Wernick’s testimony leaves more questions than answers at hearings happening over five years after the scandal, said Democracy Watch co-founder Duff Conacher.
