Strong Canadian agri-food sector more important than ever before
Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains convened a meeting with his provincial counterparts in Vancouver last month as a follow-up to a report from the Government’s Economic Strategy Tables. While the report covers six sectors of the Canadian economy, a cursory glance highlights that there may be no more important testimony to support the economic development of […]
Six years after Senate expense scandal erupted, some Senators frustrated it still has no oversight body
While the Senate’s public reputation may have improved in the years since a headline-grabbing spending scandal that erupted in 2012, the Chamber’s slow pace on a key auditor general’s recommendation three years ago could fuel continued public perception that it’s not serious about fiscal responsibility, say Senators pushing for the creation of an Audit and […]
Time for Trudeau to emulate Chrétien and slay the deficit
OTTAWA—There was quite a party a couple weeks ago in Ottawa: longtime Liberals celebrated the 25th anniversary of the election of Jean Chrétien’s government, and the launch of the former prime minister’s book, My Stories, My Times. Although I couldn’t make it, I know many ministers and MPs were there, along with Prime Minister Justin […]
Calgary’s 2026 Olympic bid: the multi-billion-dollar elephant in the room
Every level of government would be borrowing the money it is putting up to pay for Calgary to host the Olympics in 2026. In the case of the federal government, which is spending out of control and carrying a seemingly permanent national debt, Canadians would be paying interest on the government’s commitment until the end […]
Adrienne Clarkson’s defence of suckling the public teat is tone-deaf
OTTAWA—Former governor general Adrienne Clarkson famously joked at a national press gallery dinner many years ago, “I am Adrienne Clarkson and you are not.” At the time, she was poking fun at herself for her alleged inflated sense of self. Well, it appears after numerous stories about Ms. Clarkson’s fondness for spending public funds were […]
Liberals, Conservatives see fundraising bump on carbon price as Grits tighten gap
As the Liberals and Conservatives report record fundraising quarters, both parties and observers say the debate over the Liberals’ carbon price will be a motivating factor for their donors in the coming months as the Tories look to widen the gap that the Liberals tightened over the last quarter. The Conservatives raked in $4.86-million from […]
Debi Daviau re-elected, will lead PIPSC until 2022
Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada president Debi Daviau has won a third presidential mandate, meaning she will lead the second-largest public service union until the end of 2021. Ms. Daviau, who ran against two other candidates, was announced the winner at the union’s 99th annual general meeting (AGM) held Nov. 2 and 3 at […]
NDP questions why Trans Mountain buy not in spending estimates
The NDP is questioning why the multi-billion-dollar Trans Mountain pipeline purchase isn’t in the first round of extra government spending requests, saying it impedes Parliamentarians’ ability to ensure transparency and accountability of taxpayers’ money. But the Liberals say the purchase is being handled as a loan between two Crown corporations. To facilitate the planned expansion, […]
Real competition is needed in Canada’s banking sector
Decades of policy decisions at the federal level have helped cement the big banks’ dominant position in Canada. And while this has been beneficial for the banks, their executives and shareholders, Canadian consumers and businesses have paid the price. Canadian businesses struggle to get the support and capital they need to grow. Jobs and other […]
Trudeau rebate bumps support for carbon pricing above 50 per cent, poll suggests
The Liberal promise to return directly to Canadians revenue from the upcoming carbon tax has shifted public opinion to give the Grits a slim edge in support and has “mollified” some opponents, according to a poll following last week’s announcement. After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed the Liberals’ plan for provinces that opted not to […]
