Robillard: C-25 represents first major reform of legislative framework governing people management in 35 years
Over the last decade, we have seen a profound evolution in what Canadians expect from all levels of government. Citizens are rightfully demanding greater transparency, more open access to decision-makers as well as faster and more cost-effective services. At the same time, the environment in which public policy is developed is becoming increasingly complex. There […]
Large gaps in skilled labour, says HRDC Minister Stewart
Canada’s Baby-Boomers are retiring and leaving behind large gaps in skilled-labour pools that urgently need to be filled, says Canada’s Human Resources Minister. “Employers — particularly small business — are continually reporting to us that the lack of skilled employees is one of their most significant problems,” said federal Human Resources Minister Jane Stewart (Brant, […]
Creating a public service for the 21st Century
The “performance pay” given to senior executives has garnered headlines across the country. Information that I obtained through Access to Information demonstrated that across the federal government, 96 per cent of all senior bureaucrats received bonuses for their work. This is when we read about scandals every other day from the Radwanski affair to the […]
Caccia: ‘major’ shortcomings of Environmental Assessment Act
PARLIAMENT HILL–I will put forward some of the major improvements that were made to Bill C-9 on [Canada’s Environmental Assessment Act]. I will also outline some of the major shortcomings. If time permits I will make brief comments on interventions made by my colleagues during the debate so far. The improvements are the following. It […]
It’s time to take action on air pollution: NDP MP Comartin
In less than one month, summer officially begins and with it the prospect of increased “smog days.” In Canada 16,000 people will die prematurely as a result of air pollution and 5,000 of those directly from smog. Last year, there were record number of smog days throughout Canada with the bulk of those days occurring […]
Yukon’s protected area strategy and seeking a balance
WHITEHORSE, YUKON–Seeking a balance between a healthy economy and protecting the wilderness for future generations will always stimulate a thoughtful and passionate debate among Canadians. There are unique land features in each province and territory that should be protected for the future. There are Yukoners, like other Canadians, who require good paying jobs to nurture […]
Federal leadership on alternate fuels: fighting poisonous air with hot air
PARLIAMENT HILL–North American deaths caused by air pollution each year now equal deaths resulting from breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. We Canadians, of course, are justifiably terrified of breast and prostate cancer. We don’t seem to be nearly as terrified of pollution. If we were, Canada’s politicians would be paying a lot more attention […]
Let’s stop the fiction, GDP is not enough
Canada’s decision-makers have no way of measuring whether we have adequate ecological resources to maintain our current level of economic activity and prosperity into the future. Because we haven’t kept track of our ecological resources, we don’t know if we are running down our stocks of this “natural capital” to the detriment of future generations’ […]
Bloc wants environmental assessment mechanisms
PARLIAMENT HILL–I would like to remind the House that for Quebec, environmental assessment is a very important matter. Why? It is of course because Quebec adopted its own legislation back in the early 1990s. You must realize that it is perfectly legitimate for the Bloc Québécois and the various successive governments of Quebec to ensure […]
Alliance would massively increase fines for illegal oil dumping
PARLIAMENT HILL–The most powerful force for improving our environment is people. It’s every Canadian’s aspiration to make our environment cleaner, healthier and safer for our future. To that end, the Canadian Alliance environment policy is based on experience, science and wisdom. It affirms that people are the most important natural resource and that we must […]
