Taiwan, Israel popular destinations as sponsored travel returns to near pre-pandemic levels

Since the 2021 election, 85 MPs have disclosed a combined 128 instances of sponsored travel to destinations in Canada and abroad.
Minister Holland discusses health crisis in Canada with lobbyists during busy August

More than six million Canadians are without regular access to a primary care provider, according to Dr. Kathleen Ross, president of the Canadian Medical Association.
Interim ethics chief could be in conflict of interest if he pursues full term, claims Conacher

The ethics office has been without a full-term commissioner since February.
Firearms legislation about ‘preventing harms,’ says Senate committee chair ahead of fall discussions

Bill C-21, the Liberal government’s firearms legislation, will be up for consideration by the Senate’s Defence Committee this fall.
Where the buck stops in the Greenbelt scandal is anybody’s guess

Several attempts by authorities to scrutinize or consider scrutinizing the secret decision-making operation are ongoing, but responsibility for getting to the bottom of this favouritism-ridden affair is proving iffy all around.
Breakfast Club of Canada pushes for government follow-through on school food policy in July

About 1.8 million Canadchildren in Canada in 2022 live in households that struggle to afford food, compared to 1.4 million children in 2021, according to Statistics Canada data.
Lack of meaningful consultation over search for new ethics commissioner ‘incredibly problematic,’ says Tory ethics critic

Canada has gone more than six months without a permanent federal ethics commissioner, and the absence of one impedes certain functions of the ethics office.
What happens with no ‘gatekeepers’? Just look at Ford’s Greenbelt scandal

The Greenbelt property sell-out is as sordid a saga of backroom dealings, favouritism, greed, and government corner-cutting as you are ever likely to encounter.
Political environment a tough one for watchdogs to step into

A long-standing issue for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has been the inability to make appointments in a speedy manner. Key posts have stagnated, judicial benches have been languishing, and byelections have gone uncalled for reasons yet to be properly explained. All this despite the Liberals’ 2015 promise to be open and transparent, especially regarding […]
AI tools improve advocacy campaigns in ‘way that doesn’t break the bank,’ but can carry risks, say public affairs pros

Users should be sure that the content generated by AI programs are appropriate for their campaigns, according to Megan Buttle, digital strategy practice lead at Earnscliffe Strategies.