Digitizing government for the next phase of COVID-19
The past several months have been hard for all Canadians. But one thing is certain—faced with a profound challenge, the Government of Canada has been delivering when it matters most. From public health experts to the bureaucracy, elected leaders and front-line health heroes, Canada’s public sector worked quickly and cohesively to fight the pandemic. For […]
Canada should follow U.S.’ lead in sending cabinet representative to Taiwan
Earlier this month, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar visited Taiwan to hold a wide array of meetings with our leaders, including President Tsai Ing-wen, former vice-president Chen Chien-jen, and Health Minister Chen Shih-chung. These meetings, held from Aug. 9 to 12, were significant because Secretary Azar is the highest-ranking U.S. official to […]
Intergovernmental relations and the pandemic
The moment Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to the airwaves and announced the lockdown on March 13, 2020, it was clear that responding to the COVID-19 pandemic would require unprecedented intergovernmental activity. Since then, first ministers’ meetings have been held weekly, via conference calls, which is a remarkable feat in a federation where such meetings […]
New budget, cabinet would help Trudeau ‘reset’ the agenda, say Liberal insiders, pollster
The Liberal government should take action to show Canadians it has learned something from the WE Charity controversy, then “reset” the political agenda with a new budget and a shuffle of cabinet ministers and top staff, Liberal insiders say. The Hill Times spoke to veteran Liberal MP Wayne Easter (Malpeque, P.E..I), who chairs the House […]
Tech sector eyes procurement as way to stimulate business
As Canada’s tech sector grapples with the fallout of COVID-19, more nimble federal procurement practices are being eyed as a lever to stimulate the sector’s recovery, particularly among small- and medium-sized businesses, and to drive innovation in the public and private sectors. The market Documents released to the House Standing Committee on Government Operations and […]
Japan can be Canada’s partner in combatting COVID
OTTAWA—The world as we knew it before COVID-19 is gone and not likely to return. In addition to the transformation being forced by the pandemic, the great power rivalry and economic decoupling between the United States and China have left Canada adrift in a world without the structure that has been the bedrock of Canadian […]
Justin Trudeau has no plan to restart our economy: Scheer
The last five months have tested Canadians. Millions have lost their jobs, more than 100,000 people got sick, and sadly thousands have died. Businesses were forced to close their doors, and many have never reopened. Too many watched their life savings dry up before their eyes and as a result are facing serious financial hardship. […]
‘How are you doing?’ Finding a way through during troubled times
OTTAWA—It has been almost five months of living with COVID-19 and all the changes it has brought to our lives. The degree of struggle and challenge varies for everyone, but I have yet to meet anyone who has not been impacted by the pandemic. From the body politic to personal well-being, the virus has packed […]
Easing of restrictions to non-U.S. travellers into Canada unlikely to be met with Trump backlash, could pave way for reopening of 49th parallel, say experts
With no progress towards reopening the Canada-U.S. border as the United States continues to be overwhelmed by COVID-19, experts say easing restrictions to allow non-U.S. foreign nationals to travel to Canada could be the first step in a phased reopening of the 49th parallel. Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s forceful defence of his handling of […]
‘Weak’ trade growth in 2019 caused by ‘trade policy uncertainty’ and ‘mixed economic signals’, Global Affairs report suggests
Following a year of slow economic growth in 2019 which hurt Canadian trade, a Global Affairs report on the “State of Trade” suggests that the gloomy trade news will be likely “overshadowed” by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The benchmark report on Canada’s international trade numbers, released by the office of Global Affairs’ […]
