House admin watching spending after topping $500-million mark
Projected 2019-20 spending for the House of Commons is lower than the previous year’s prediction, but administration staff say they have their eyes on the size of the half-a-billion-dollar operation. Before leaving for the Christmas break, members of the House Board of Internal Economy (BOIE) approved the main estimates for the House of Commons, covering […]
November lobbying boosted by Hill days, GM plant closure, and budget talks
Parliament’s final full sitting month in 2018 made for a busy spell of November lobbying, driven by meeting blitzes on the Hill, budget consultations, and the late-month bombshell that General Motors’ auto plant would close in Oshawa, Ont. Lobbyists filed a total of 2,782 communication reports in November, down slightly from the 2,927 filed in […]
More pro-growth tax policies needed to spur investments
Pro-growth tax policy that incentivizes capital investment is necessary to ensure Canada’s economic expansion and competitiveness. Late last year, the United States took steps to spur economic growth and job creation by enacting the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. While lowering the corporate tax rate from 35 per cent to 21 per cent was a […]
Finance bureaucrats, House committee need to stop working in silos on budget planning, says ex-PBO Page
As the House Finance Committee’s pre-budget consultation process wraps up for another year, one former watchdog says the process isn’t properly used by the Finance Department in crafting Canada’s annual fiscal plan. Kevin Page was the first Parliamentary Budget Officer from 2008 to 2013, previously holding high roles at the Department of Finance, Treasury Board, […]
Macron’s moment of crisis
The contagion of chaos that’s been systematically choking Western democracies like hapless houseguests in a musty Agatha Christie whodunit has recently taken hold in France. While the previously unthinkable disruption of Donald Trump’s presidency ensnares America and the previously unthinkable disruption of Brexit entangles Britain, the gilets jaunes protests have become President Emmanuel Macron’s previously unthinkable political […]
Natural Resources Minister Sohi calls oil market access an ‘urgent priority’ as Indigenous consultations continue on Trans Mountain
Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi says the government is focused on “ensuring that every barrel of Alberta oil gets its full value.” In an email Q&A interview with The Hill Times, Mr. Sohi (Edmonton Mill Woods, Alta.) said “we need to look at how can we help today, how can we help next year, and what […]
Feds address public angst about economy with ‘you’re richer than you think’ mini-budget
OTTAWA—With Canadians in a restive, gloomy mood, the Liberal government rolled out an upbeat, optimistic mini-budget meant to begin the job of convincing voters that they are richer than they think. Finance Minister Bill Morneau also used Wednesday’s economic and fiscal update to address the problem of declining business competitiveness arising from U.S. President Donald […]
Answers needed on Canada’s fighter jet replacement
Yesterday, the auditor general released his report on the process to procure new fighter aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The current fleet of 76 operational CF-18 fighter aircraft perform a range of tasks that are essential for Canada’s defence. They monitor and protect Canadian airspace against potential threats. They contribute to the […]
Calgary Olympics rejection ought to be a sign to Olympic Committee to retool
What a difference nine years makes. Almost nine years ago, Canada was alive with excitement for Vancouver 2010. It’s perhaps now the last-ever Winter Olympics for our country given the clear instruction the citizens of Calgary just gave to their municipal government on whether Cowtown should bid on the 2026 games. They said emphatically no. […]
Feds fail to keep Canadians safe
OTTAWA—In 2018, Canada faces clear and persistent dangers. From our electoral systems to our military presence in the Arctic, Canada is repeatedly under threat from external actors. But as we face a dangerous and shifting global security climate, our own government is failing to keep Canadians safe. Under Justin Trudeau’s Liberals, Canada is floundering on […]
