Pandemic throws line-by-line approval of billions of dollars in spending off course
Billions of dollars in spending to keep government operations going have yet to be formally approved by the House after the pandemic forced MPs to defer scrutiny to December, throwing off the usual course of parliamentary business. This year’s main estimates, setting out $304.6-billion in federal spending, were first introduced in February but were never […]
Everyone has different ideas for Lebanon’s future. Trudeau’s UNGA speech hints at potential for Canada to lead the way
A bolder foreign policy of shared goals among “smaller powers” appears to be Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s vision, based on his recent speech to the UN General Assembly, where he called for such countries to use their “shared power” in the name of a “shared future.” “Instead of crossing our fingers and hoping that the […]
Senate leaders expect quick vote on introducing hybrid sittings when Red Chamber returns
When the Red Chamber returns Oct. 27, the government’s representative in the Senate promised swift action to finalize hybrid sittings, but did not commit to a date when they’d be up and running. On Oct. 2, more than a week after the House returned and unanimously approved hybrid sittings, Senator Marc Gold gave notice of […]
Liberal MP Fragiskatos tops first-quarter spending thanks to pandemic ad blitz
An ad blitz to amplify the government’s efforts to help Canadians struggling amid the pandemic vaulted Liberal MP Peter Fragiskatos to the top of the list as the House of Commons’ biggest spender in the first fiscal quarter. Mr. Fragiskatos said he paid for a series of billboards to run across his riding of London […]
Trudeau’s government needs to take control of the rapid COVID-19 test debate
Perhaps it was the release of Bob Woodward’s book on U.S. President Donald Trump, Rage, and its detailed telling of the story of when Trump was warned of the seriousness of the coronavirus. Or maybe it was the beginning of long lines of those awaiting tests and then the results, that brought into question the […]
Of culture wars and cranks: how COVID became a deadly test of our collective responsibility
OTTAWA—So President Donald Trump, who has sought for months to play down the extent and dangers of COVID-19 and ridiculed mask wearing, allowed a super-spreader environment to be created among his own White House staff. It’s another of the upside-down realities of Trump’s tenure that are so bizarre that they somehow get underplayed in public […]
NDP says Liberals at fault for slow progress on testing voting app that is ‘months away’ from being ready
With the laborious voting sessions leading to MPs conducting parliamentary work into the early morning, the NDP says more work should have been done by the government to get the voting app ready for use as it is still “months away” from being ready. The current hybrid voting setup has caused some MPs to miss […]
Campaigning during COVID-19 ‘very weird and it’s very different,’ says NDP B.C. provincial MLA Sims
Campaigning in the midst of COVID-19 is a “very weird and different” experience, but it’s also the “new normal” until the pandemic is over, and politicians should learn new tools of engagement with voters in an era when social distancing requirements now bar politicians from going door knocking, shaking hands, and getting close to people. […]
Increase front-line services for those in need
Money and resources for awareness have, and continue, to play an important role in mental health wellness, but the time to shift our focus and provide more funding for front-line clinical resources is upon us. As lawmakers, we can significantly improve access to timely and affordable mental health services for everyone who needs it. Awareness […]
MPs, experts welcome new mental health spending, but urge feds to take more decisive action
As the federal government seeks to turn the Throne Speech from rhetoric into reality, some Parliamentarians say they are frustrated with the level of investment and lack of associated information dedicated to mental health in the government’s latest COVID relief bill, which unanimously passed the House on Sept. 30. MPs and mental health advocates are […]
