Paul Wernick bravely opens much-needed conversation on mental health on the Hill
It likely wasn’t easy for Paul Wernick to tell his story, but it’s already done a lot of good. The 26-year-old son of PCO clerk Michael Wernick, and executive assistant to rookie Liberal MP Francis Drouin opened up to The Hill Times in a story published June 25 about his struggles with deep depression. He […]
‘You can’t criticize people for evolving,’ says ex-MP Oliver as politicos get in on ground floor of cannabis boom
As Canada gets closer to the Oct. 17 legalization date, former politicians investing in and leading cannabis companies say they were drawn to a dynamic, fast-paced industry where their political expertise helped make sense of the highly regulated environment. And for some, their involvement represents a public about-face to their stance on the drug while holding office. […]
Seeking proof of Canadian impact in Kenya
We boarded a plane in May as a cross-parliamentary delegation, eager to experience the impact that Canada is making in Kenya. From the start, we were aware this would be no ordinary trip. But what we experienced changed us forever. The girls at St. Elizabeth’s School and Rescue Centre had all fled their homes to […]
House spring sitting most productive one for Trudeau government, 14 bills received royal assent in last six months
Thanks to a final end-of-sitting push, which included an extra week of late-night sittings, the Liberal government had its most legislatively productive House sitting yet, with 14 bills passed and granted royal assent over the last six months. “This sitting has been productive. I think we have advanced important legislation for Canadians, that’s going to […]
Cheap, fast, good — pick two?
Long wait times are the vulnerable soft underbelly of the Canadian health system. Canadians treasure our single-payer, publicly funded program of physician and hospital care, virtually as a defining part of our national identity. And yet, increasing legal and political pressure over quick access to elective surgeries—cataract extraction and joint replacement, for example—threatens to undermine […]
Nurses, the unsung heroes of health care, go beyond traditional roles
Last month, I attended the 16th Annual Awards of Excellence in Nursing, a celebration of both the beginning of National Nursing Week and the recipients of these awards. This year’s theme during Nursing Week was #YESThisisNursing, a testament to the constantly changing and expanding roles of nurses in Canada. It’s a theme that is especially relevant to […]
Trudeau government’s promise on Indigenous education gets a failing grade
What would you do if education officials in your children’s school board falsified graduation rates or failed to track why so many children were unable to pass basic literacy tests? What would you do if, year after year, education officials covered their tracks by ignoring orders to compile useable data to ensure better education outcomes? […]
With cannabis legalization around the corner, feds should heed Senate call for third-party oversight
Cannabis legalization is coming. Canadians voted for it. And Senators—who are now debating this important piece of legislation—should not stand in their way. That being said, I am convinced that continued oversight will be key to the success of legalization. At this point, the case for legalization is clear—prohibition simply isn’t working. The federal government […]
Prevention decreases demands on the health system
Provincial ministers of health and ministers of finance seek to “bend the health care cost curve” but year after year, provincial budgets bend the cost curve in the wrong direction, adding billions of dollars to provincial health spending. In fact, we’ve doubled spending on our medical treatment system in Canada since 2005—and what did we […]
Liberals drawing up gun bill amendments, cannabis bill enters home stretch
At least one Liberal MP on the House Public Safety Committee is working with Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale’s (Regina-Wascana, Ont.) office to bring forward amendments to the gun safety bill, C-71. ”I think there have been some discussions … between the minister, minister’s staff, and Liberal members, about amendments,” said Liberal MP John McKay […]
