In search of the C-Suite
A self-described feminist, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on March 8—International Women’s Day—that the next series of Canadian bank notes would feature iconic females. But, while women may soon adorn the currency we use, they are still noticeably absent from the boardrooms in Canada’s finance sector, say pundits. In fact, a recent study conducted by […]
‘A new day for indigenous peoples in Canada’
The October 2015 federal election was momentus for the 10 indigenous people elected as MPs—a record-breaking number in Canadian history, and a game changer for federal public policy. Although there are likely many complex societal shifts that contributed to the overwhelming engagement of what has historically been a politically-indifferent demographic, many say the previous Conservative […]
Improving public service IT systems remains a ‘significant challenge’: Brison
Testifying at the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee, Treasury Board President Scott Brison declared that he wants the government “to become better as a procurer of enterprise-wide solutions.” He was speaking specifically to a question raised about the current rollout of the Public Services and Procurement department’s new consolidated pay system called Phoenix, which […]
Liberal promise of infrastructure bank absent from budget
The Liberal party promised in last year’s election campaign that it would establish a Canadian Infrastructure Bank “to provide low-cost financing for new infrastructure projects.” This would allow provinces and municipalities to borrow from the federal government and use its strong credit rating to get low interest rates. “The Canada Infrastructure Bank will provide loan guarantees […]
Liberals have in some respects ‘lost ground on fiscal transparency,’ says former PBO Page
Former parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page says, in some respects, the new Liberal government has backtracked on fiscal transparency in its 2016 budget. Mr. Page said, when looking at certain aspects highlighted by the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer—such as a large adjustment to private-sector economists’ forecasts, cost projections for two years rather than […]
Economic experts question Liberals’ definition of infrastructure
As the government rolls out its infrastructure spending plans, many economic experts are skeptical of the broad definition of what constitutes infrastructure under the Liberals. While many economists, including Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz, have encouraged the government’s move to invest in infrastructure, others are raising concerns. “The government ran on a fairly broad definition […]
Perspective (and memory) needed in debate about the future of the NDP
OTTAWA—In the days following the New Democratic Party convention in Edmonton, a reporter asked Ed Broadbent “what’s the point of having the NDP” since the Liberals have apparently “moved left.” Broadbent, 80, didn’t miss a beat before replying. “I have a bit of a memory,” he said matter-of-factly before rhyming off a litany of broken […]
Senate leader needs to provide answers for that kind of budget
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants to make the Senate a non-partisan, accountable and transparent Chamber of sober second thought. To achieve this goal, he booted all Liberal Senators from the national caucus in January 2014 and announced that there are no more Liberal Senators. Now, he’s filling all vacant Senate seats on the non-binding advice […]
Experts warn of perils in federal-municipal funding arrangements
When the federal government has money to spend on innovation, municipal leaders are often quick to vie for some of it in hopes of creating their own local hubs of innovation. Many cities are trying to replicate the innovation boom that happened in California’s Silicon Valley and, to a certain degree, in Ontario’s Kitchener-Waterloo region. “It is kind of a […]
Angus, Bennett to fly to Attiwapiskat, MPs get emotional during late-night debate on suicide crisis on northern reserves
PARLIAMENT HILL—NDP MP Charlie Angus, who is flying to Attawapiskat First Nation on Monday with Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett to meet with Chief Bruce Shisheesh, is calling for immediate action to provide critical services to the 2,000 residents of this northern Ontario community located in his riding. “We need to stabilize the situation in […]
