Crowded field of candidates expected in the coveted safe Liberal riding of York Centre
Following the unexpected resignation of Michael Levitt as a Member of Parliament, a crowded field of candidates is expected to seek the Liberal nomination in the safe and coveted GTA riding of York Centre, say potential candidates and political insiders. Only 10 months into his second term as an MP, Mr. Levitt announced on social […]
June lobbying a success with wage subsidy extension, groups say
Some associations are calling their June lobbying efforts a success, after the government agreed to a widespread push to extend the emergency wage subsidy program. The pandemic has necessitated fast-paced policy development and economic response, and companies report their government relations arms are busier than ever. Though June’s 2,002 recorded communications were down compared to […]
Lobby groups push feds to pivot to recovery phase, say more cash needed for key sectors
Associations are pivoting to recovery in their federal advocacy asks, with those among the most actively lobbying government in May pushing for flexibility on some of the government’s emergency measures and calling for more funding to protect at-risk industries. The busiest groups lobbying last month include members in the post-secondary education, oil, and forestry sector […]
Union heads worry too much left up to ‘discretion’ in public service back-to-workplace plan
Following weeks of consultation and the release of departmental guidelines on the easing of workplace restrictions for tens of thousands of public service workers, heads of federal departments and agencies are now planning for eventual increased access to federal worksites. But the president of Canada’s second-largest public service union says her organization was pushing for […]
Unions, Treasury Board in talks for public service’s return to workplace after three-month shutdown
Three months into the COVID-19 shutdown that’s seen government offices closed to all but critical workers and thousands of public servants working from home, union leaders say while there’s “no rush” to return to offices—arguing recent weeks have proven telework arrangements don’t hinder performance—they’ve been working closely with the Treasury Board to plan the re-opening […]
Second wave of virus could cut GDP by nearly 10 per cent, experts looks to future of relief programs
A recent Léger poll suggests the public is picking up on what public health officials have been warning for months: a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is possible, even likely, if existing preventative measures aren’t kept in place. Fear of a second wave is widespread, with 76 per cent of respondents to the poll […]
When responding to racism in Canada, we need to do better than saying ‘do better’
As Canadian activist and journalist Desmond Cole recently said, “If Minneapolis hadn’t burned, would we be having this conversation…?” With the death of George Floyd and the dawning of a global movement, we—as Canadians—must also look inwards at our own racial biases and discrimination. Now is the time to do more than state “we must […]
Slammed by COVID, Canada’s aviation industry looking to federal government for help
Faced with sharply declining revenues due to COVID-19, the Canadian aviation industry is taking a major hit. From airlines to airports and aerospace companies throughout the supply chain, all are facing challenges to their bottom line, and potentially their survival. Some targeted government relief has been announced for certain groups in the industry, but with […]
Oppression and privilege: two Canadian stories in the rule of law
OTTAWA—The rule of law is defined as “the restriction of the arbitrary exercise of power by subordinating it to well-defined and established law.” The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that the rule of law is one of the principles upon which Canada was founded. Fundamentally, it means that the law applies equally to […]
A roadmap for the government to act against gender-based violence
To its credit, the Trudeau government, 2.0 edition, has responded to the call I and other advocates have been making for a national action plan to combat gender-based violence. The Throne Speech was understandably short on details. Needless to say, the action plan should be truly comprehensive in its scope, embrace best practices, and be […]
