Independent Senators to get seats on committees, now group wants $542,428-$722,000 for staff
PARLIAMENT HILL—After winning the battle to get representation of Independent Senators on the Senate’s standing committees proportionate to their numbers last week, Independent Senators have now submitted a budget request of between $542,428 and $722,000 a year for staffing to the Senate’s Internal Economy, Budgets, and Administration Committee. Independent Senators’ Group facilitator, Ind. Sen. Elaine McCoy (Alberta), told […]
Next budget should fund Indigenous Guardians Network
One year ago this month, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its final report. Its pages described the anguish caused by residential schools and the gaps remaining between indigenous and non-indigenous people in terms of education and prosperity. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praised the report, saying “This is a time of real and positive change. […]
Canada Infrastructure Bank: theft by deception
Both the Liberal government and its Advisory Council on Economic Growth are head over heels for the Canada Infrastructure Bank, announcing with fresh-faced enthusiasm that it will be an innovative route for augmenting infrastructure finance, a flywheel of institutional capital participation, and an economic stimulus boon for the middle class. Beyond the euphoria is deception; […]
Feds want to pass government agenda, opposition parties ‘disappointed’ by state of relations in House
PARLIAMENT HILL—Pressure is mounting inside the House as the government eyes priority bills it wants passed before the Commons adjourns until 2017, but the government says it’s so far been unable to find consensus with the opposition parties. “It takes two to dance and we’re on the dance floor and we want to dance,” Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux (Winnipeg […]
We need a return to funding basic research
It was in the spring 2012 budget that the previous Conservative government established the primacy of utilitarian, mercantile science over basic research and pure intellectual inquiry. The budget decreed that federal funds would go to research that was “business-led [and] industry-relevant.” The significant deficit in industry investment in research and development affects our economy. We […]
Now more than ever we need strong Canadian leadership in the world
A strong development and humanitarian assistance policy requires a strong financial commitment: that is the clear and striking conclusion of the latest report of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs and International Development Committee. The report, released Nov. 3, has strong language on the need for a comprehensive long-term strategic approach to development co-operation. It recommends […]
Before Trump kicks Canada out, let’s quit NATO
OTTAWA—Last Wednesday, the world awoke to the reality of Donald Trump becoming America’s 45th elected president. As it was well past midnight when Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton formally conceded the election, Trump’s victory occurred on Nov. 9 or 11/9. Tellingly, international stock exchanges plummeted immediately upon news of the outcome. Without a doubt, Trump is a bombastic buffoon who […]
Feds still creating confusion in way it forecasts deficits: experts
Experts say the way the government has forecast deficits this year in its fall economic update and March budget has created confusion, and there is a need for clearer standards for how contingencies are factored into projected deficits. On Nov. 1, the government presented an update in which deficits projected for the current fiscal year […]
Feds’ proposals on PBO, chief statistician roles ‘positive,’ but more details needed, say experts
The Liberal government’s proposed changes to make the parliamentary budget officer and chief statistician more independent are important, “positive” steps, say experts, but the “devil is in the details,” and timing for legislation remains unknown. “This is something that we have been advocating [for] since day one in fact,” said Assistant Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) […]
Government determined to pass bills on budget implementation, CPP, debate trade deals in next five weeks
Tension over the federal government’s bills to implement budget measures, Canada Pension Plan changes, and trade deals could flare up as the government pushes to pass a good chunk of measures in the final five-week stretch before the House breaks in December. Two absolutes to get through before MPs leave for more than a month-long break from […]
