Navy desperately needs new ships, but they can’t come at any price
Canada appears to be on the cusp of building some of the most expensive warships on the planet. The Feb. 24, 2021, report from the Parliamentary Budget Officer estimates that it will cost $77.3-billion to acquire 15 Canadian Surface Combatants. With a projected $400-billion deficit this year, and the possibility of a slow recovery, these […]
After Scheer’s expenses controversy, Conservatives want party to stop spending donor dollars on personal expenses
In the aftermath of outgoing Conservative leader Andrew Scheer’s expenses controversy in 2019, members of an Edmonton Conservative riding association have proposed a constitutional amendment demanding that the party not use donor money to subsidize personal expenses of any party member, and use it only to promote the party’s political and electoral interests. “All expenditures […]
Biden’s protected-area push highlights Canada’s conservation opportunity
At the Feb. 23 bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, U.S. President Joe Biden’s first remarks sounded a bit like a friendly taunt: Canada should keep up as he rolls out his bold, new agenda: “We’re all best served when the United States and Canada work together and lead together,” he said. Considering the […]
Complying with Jordan’s Principle could cost feds $15-billion, says PBO
Canada’s budget watchdog says it could cost Ottawa $15-billion to comply with a human rights tribunal ruling ordering the government to compensate First Nation children impacted by the child welfare system who experienced delays or denials in services. Released Tuesday, the report from the parliamentary budget officer said the updated figure is based on a […]
Top 100 Lobbyists: Pandemic ushers in explosion of lobbying activity
The pandemic may have indefinitely suspended most in-person lobbying campaigns and social engagements, but lobbyists say they’re busier than they’ve ever been. While COVID-19 hasn’t changed the “fundamentals” of the business, for those at the top of their game, it’s driven home the need to be more attuned to the pressures facing the government, and […]
‘Everything in this budget will be driven by COVID’: former public servants, Liberal insiders lay out expectations for the pandemic budget
Expect a buttoned-down spring budget, say politicos and former government insiders, as the pandemic and vaccine rollout continue to challenge the Liberals and talk of a pending general election has faded. “In terms of shiny ponies, I think that the spends have become much more basic,” said Joe Jordan, a consultant lobbyist at Bluesky Strategies […]
Freeland’s first budget must set Canada on a strong investment-innovation growth path
TORONTO—Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s first budget must set Canada on the strong investment-innovation growth path that we urgently need. The reality today is that we are not up to the challenges of a much more competitive global economy and failure to respond will mean a stagnant standard of living and an inability to afford the […]
Finance Committee chair Easter top non-cabinet-MP target for lobbyists in 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic kept MPs away from Ottawa for most of the year, but that didn’t stop lobbyists from meeting with MPs to try and influence both the government’s and the opposition’s agenda. Liberal MP and House Finance Committee chair Wayne Easter was lobbied 190 times in 2020, the most for an MP not serving […]
New federal program for hard-hit sectors will help investors and banks—not workers
The federal government may well leave Canada’s most vulnerable workers behind in its effort to bail out hard-hit sectors like hospitality. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland recently announced the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP), designed to give low-interest loans of up to $1-million, fully backed by the federal government, to hard-hit companies. Government support […]
Supporting Canadians next tax season needs to start now
As we near the end of a very tumultuous 2020, a COVID-19 vaccine will soon be more widely available, ushering in economic recovery and a return to some normalcy. While we remain optimistic, more challenges await as infection rates surge and businesses continue to struggle. Most of us have friends or family or at least […]
