Trade, agriculture, innovation bureaucrats are most lobbied
The country’s most-lobbied federal bureaucrats so far this year have their hands on trade, agriculture, and innovation files, according to statistics from the federal lobbyists’ registry, with top officials at Trade, Environment Canada, and Innovation, Science, and Economic Development the most in demand. With NAFTA negotiations underway, lobbyists say it’s no surprise that Frédéric Seppey, the […]
Senate report on Phoenix ‘failure’ calls for strong public oversight of feds’ spending, future payroll plans
The Senate Finance Committee is calling for Parliament to have a keen eye on what the federal government is doing to stabilize the “failed” Phoenix pay system and how it will move away from the platform going ahead. Published July 31, the Senate’s report on the Phoenix pay system is the latest study in recent […]
No new departments will be created in wake of cabinet shuffle: PCO
The government will not be creating any new departments in the wake of last week’s cabinet shuffle, Privy Council Office spokesperson Paul Duchesne has confirmed. “Arrangements have already been put in place to ensure nimble and cost-effective support for ministers,” he said in an emailed statement. The cabinet shuffle last week increased Prime Minister Justin […]
Northern Ontario offers insight into Canadian paradox
SAULT STE. MARIE, ONT.—For the past two weeks, I have been fulfilling a longtime dream, to cycle from Dryden, Ont., in the province’s northwest, to Toronto. When I arrive in the Toronto area at the end of this week, I will have cycled 1,700 kilometres. But it will also signify the last link in my […]
There’s no one-size-fits-all sex-ed policy
OTTAWA—Ontario’s hot, steamy summer just got warmer, as Ontario Premier Doug Ford fulfilled his campaign promise to cancel the sex-education curriculum that was introduced in 2015 and to revert to a dated, 20-year-old version. That reversal lasted one entire weekend because as of Monday the Ford government had flipped to a 2014 plan. The Ford […]
High-level bureaucrat’s public sector exit prompts shuffle among Phoenix fixers
Assistant deputy minister Danielle May-Cuconato has left the federal public service, forcing a bureaucratic shake-up in the team tasked with fixing the troubled Phoenix pay system. Ms. May-Cuconato left the public service in late June after a long career as a political staffer and public servant. Among other jobs, she was vice-president of corporate services […]
Pay your copying bill, or pay a much bigger bill
In a recent op-ed in this paper, Glenn Rollans from the Association of Canadian Publishers called on government to encourage educators to come back to the negotiating table for copyright licensing. One simple change at the Copyright Board would go a long way toward that outcome —an increase in statutory damages. Nothing encourages payment like […]
A dozen MPs won’t run again in 2019, starting ‘snowball effect’ with more to come, say insiders
NDP MPs David Christopherson, Hélène Laverdière, and Conservative MP Bev Shipley all announced in the last week they will not seek re-election in 2019, adding to a list that has now reached a dozen, and political insiders expect this is the start of a “snowball effect” of MPs calling it quits in the months to […]
Where’s Wernick? Unions say PCO clerk should be more involved in Phoenix fix
The two largest federal public service unions are frustrated about what they say is Privy Council clerk Michael Wernick’s lack of involvement in fixing the Phoenix pay system, adding that his absence is particularly apparent in light of his recent comments about loosening the rules to fire public servants. But one expert says the top bureaucrat’s role […]
Parliament should consider U of O model to support staff
I have read many articles in your publication about a lack of resources or knowledge of resources for parliamentary and political staffers to help them with problems regarding their roles, health, workloads, goals, harassment, professional responsibilities and relationships, stress, and other important matters. While obviously a different context, I wonder if it might be worthwhile […]
