Opportunity knocks with Finance Canada’s upcoming tax expenditure review
Hats off to the federal government for committing to a tax expenditure review as an early priority. Canada’s tax system desperately needs repair, and the tangle of tax credits is a good place to start. Yet we worry the government might focus the review too narrowly and miss the chance to improve the system for […]
Three trends to watch in 2020, and cases of déjà-vu
Canada just entered a new decade in 2020, but there are several unsolved challenges that we’ll have to deal with over the coming years. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change are key concerns; an aging population will pressure health care and labour markets, stresses that have already become evident across Canada; and, […]
Budget, foreign affairs, and fighting climate change among top cabinet priorities as Parliament returns
The governing Liberals will focus on their most high-profile election promises in this minority 43rd Parliament when the House returns on Jan. 27 to continue its first session, after nearly a seven-month break from Ottawa, say MPs and insiders. The special committee on Canada-China relations, a bailout bill for resource workers, a Liberal-style tough-on-crime agenda, […]
Platform costing measure gets nod, but fixes for getting info needed, says PBO
A platform costing service offered by the Parliamentary Budget Officer is receiving a thumbs up from one expert, but the office is looking to Parliament to clarify an “oversight” in its powers in accessing information to do its work, ahead of the next election. In a report released Jan. 24, the PBO wrote that “legislative […]
In a world of increasing disparity, it is time for new leaders to come forward
OTTAWA—The passing of former cabinet minister John Crosbie has been the opportunity for much nostalgia, especially among those who knew him best. My sympathies to his family and friends, who were legion: he was both a great Newfoundlander and a great Canadian. I had the opportunity to interview Crosbie on a few occasions; what I […]
Senate should be ‘very careful’ of widespread rule changes and ‘unintended consequences,’ says retiring Sen. Day
After nearly two decades in the Upper Chamber, Joseph Day, the outgoing Senate Liberal-turned-Progressive Senate Group leader, said he feels he still has unfinished business. “There’s a lot of things that you want to make sure [to] get in place so that you’re confident that the decisions taken will be in the best interest of […]
One patrol ship and 118 Crown vehicles vandalized, part of $24.2-million in lost property in 2018-19
A vandalized mid-shore patrol vessel sent the total tally for government losses due to an offence or other illegal act skyrocketing to $12.1-million in 2018-19, as revealed in the 2019 public accounts. Lost and stolen items over the last fiscal year included 586 BlackBerrys, iPhones, and other cellular devices; 3,059 pieces of combat clothing; 352 […]
PMO spent $9.7-million in 2018-19, ministerial office spending rises 10.5 per cent: public accounts
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office reported $9.7-million in expenses in 2018-19, up almost four per cent from the year prior, with Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains’ office once again leading spending among the rest of cabinet, according to the 2019 public accounts. Ministers’ offices spent a total of roughly $62.9-million in 2018-19, up from almost $56.9-million […]
Legislative preview: Grits face tricky landscape with dozens of legal changes promised in mandate letters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has given his cabinet ministers dozens of objectives that will likely require changes to federal laws, setting up an ambitious legislative agenda for his first foray through a minority Parliament. Mr. Trudeau’s (Papineau, Que.) Liberals managed to pass 88 bills during four years of majority government in the last Parliament. Some […]
Finance Minister Morneau gets his office in shape
With the 2020 federal budget not far off on the horizon, Finance Minister Bill Morneau is getting his office in shape, with Tyler Meredith confirmed as his new director of policy. Mr. Morneau’s former policy director and deputy chief of staff Justin To announced his exit from the Hill in late June, as previously reported […]
