Committee should study proposed changes to election rules to prepare for future vote, say MPs
Legislative changes that Elections Canada is looking to make to election rules require a deep dive by a House committee, say some Parliamentarians, while one expert says there is a need to be “innovative” beyond tweaks to the Canada Elections Act. The agency will submit its recommendations to Parliament with amendments to the act sometime […]
Lapse in early pandemic warning system ‘a colossal failure,’ says former federal Liberal health minister Dosanjh
Following the abrupt resignation of the Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC) president Tina Namiesniowski on Sept. 18, a former Liberal federal health minister says the lapse in the Global Public Health Intelligence Network (GPHIN)’s role under this government’s watch was “a colossal failure,” with the Bloc Québécois’ health critic saying the new president of […]
‘It’s much lonelier’: MPs talk about doing politics in the age of the pandemic
Backbench MPs say the global pandemic has turned doing retail politics on its head, say the legislative job is much lonelier without all the human interaction on the Hill and in the ridings, and some even say pressing the flesh could be off bounds forever. Liberal MP Judy Sgro (Humber River-Black Creek, Ont.) and other […]
Trudeau’s adversaries putting political gain over national interest
HALIFAX—Justin Trudeau has received a lot of kicks in the pants during his nearly five years as prime minister. I know, I delivered quite a few of them myself. The Mr. Dress-Up tour of India; the disgraceful treatment of former cabinet ministers Jodie Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott during the SNC Lavalin Affair; the freebie getaway […]
Trudeau says some promises ‘clearly’ touch provincial jurisdiction after premiers slam Throne Speech, but calls for unified approach
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged Friday that, while the Liberals’ Throne Speech waded into areas that fall squarely in provinces’ jurisdiction, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for all levels of government to work together. Speaking to reporters Friday afternoon, Mr. Trudeau (Papineau. Que.) brushed aside suggestions that he had lost the co-operation and […]
What happens when a system is designed to fail migrant women
When Carmen fell in love with a Canadian man, following him here from Cuba, he made her many promises, including the pursuit of education. She was eager for a Canadian life, even without immigration status. After settling into her new home, her boyfriend suggested she wait before starting school. She was still adjusting to Canadian […]
‘Whatever it takes’: Trudeau says austerity not an option in the face of staggering job losses, health crisis
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is pinning the country’s recovery on the government’s ability to spend “whatever it takes” to rein in the pandemic and to prevent expansive lockdowns that could further cripple the economy. The Liberals’ Throne Speech outlined a wide-ranging agenda, from pledging that the government will act as a safety net for Canadians […]
The Atlantic bubble needs to burst
OTTAWA—This year has been brutal for so many people and we still have nearly 4 months to go before 2021 is upon us. While I have never been a big fan of wishing time away, I am close to adopting it as a short-term strategy. Atlantic Canada has had a particularly brutal year. At the […]
COVID-19 containment, economic recovery expected to drive fall lobbying
A return to Parliament means renewed lobbying efforts, and this fall session will likely see those efforts focused on trying to shape the Liberal government’s plans to contain COVID-19, push plans for economic recovery and the social programs that underpin them, and get progress on the Liberal climate change agenda. Sheamus Murphy, vice-president of federal […]
Three possible election date scenarios
There are three possible election date scenarios facing Canadians: the first coming on the heels of the Speech from the Throne, presumably on a non-confidence vote; second, a non-confidence motion put after a fall budget or economic update; and lastly, a vote of non-confidence following a spring budget. In all three scenarios Prime Minister Justin […]
