Black Caucus still waiting for government action on racial justice
As the end of summer approaches, members of the Black Parliamentary Caucus say they are still waiting to see how the government will act on their call for racial justice reforms, released in June after protests against anti-Black racism swept the world following the killing of African-American George Floyd by a police officer in Minnesota […]
Carney’s informal advisory role on recovery could pose ‘unusual’ dynamic, but some say it’s ‘complementary’ match with Freeland
Chrystia Freeland’s elevation to the plum post of finance minister while Mark Carney is advising the government on the pandemic recovery has created an “unusual” dynamic in the political centre, says one Liberal MP, but he joined others in saying the former Bank of Canada governor would complement Ms. Freeland’s strengths. Ms. Freeland (University-Rosedale, Ont.) […]
Contact-tracing app faces big technological problems in urban environments, studies say
A pair of research studies from June suggest there could be serious flaws in the COVID-19 exposure notification app promoted by Canada’s federal government. COVID Alert has been out for nearly one month and has been downloaded by some two million Canadians, according to a spokesperson for the Canadian Digital Service. The app, which is based […]
Directive for prosecutors to apply leniency for some drug-possession cases gets nod from Canada’s top doc
Canada’s chief public health officer is voicing her support for a directive that federal prosecutors are following to prosecute only the most serious cases involving drug possession amid a spike in the number of deaths by overdose. “We know that you cannot arrest your way out of an opioid crisis. It is escalating as we […]
Reimagining Canada: ideas for a bold throne speech
OTTAWA—So, the architect of the myriad bold but essential COVID-related programs has resigned, and we have a new finance minister. Where the outgoing minister Bill Morneau designed most of the seventy-five measures (with some cajoling from the Prime Minister’s Office we are told), his successor Chrystia Freeland will have the job of deciding which ones […]
Bills targeting Indigenous women’s rights the ‘culmination’ of career for retiring Senator Dyck
Senator Lillian Dyck says that when she retires from the Senate later this month, she’s ready after having achieved more than she could have dreamed at the beginning of her surprise appointment 15 years before. The neuroscientist and Saskatchewan Senator has a number of historic moments tied to her name. Appointed in 2005, she became […]
South Korean scholar-turned-diplomat sees posting as front-row seat to ‘virtual diplomacy era’
As a longtime political and foreign policy professor, South Korea’s new ambassador to Canada will be taking notes as he engages in bilateral relations to document what new normal emerges in the era of virtual diplomacy. Already, with about a month on the job, Chang Keung Ryong said he’s discovered many things contrary to his knowledge […]
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 […]
