Innovation minister, Finance Committee chair, member top most-lobbied MPs of 2018
A committee chair, a minister, and a backbencher were 2018’s top-lobbied MPs, according to a Hill Times analysis that observers said made sense given the Parliamentarians’ close contact with budget planning and the Liberals’ much-touted innovation mandate. Chair of the House Finance Committee Wayne Easter notched 182 mentions in communications reports from registered lobbyists, followed […]
Controversial pension changes ‘unlikely’ to proceed, say groups watching stalled bill
The pension bill that put Finance Minister Bill Morneau in the middle of an ethics probe is still languishing at second reading since being introduced in 2016, and one group says government officials have promised not to proceed. National Association of Federal Retirees executive director Jean-Guy Soulière said he continues to bring up its opposition […]
Senate lobbying up 12 per cent in 2018, Sens. Grant Mitchell, Terry Mercer lobbied most
Lobbying of Canada’s Upper Chamber climbed 12 per cent in 2018, stretching past 2017’s already unprecedented figures. Last year, lobbyists logged 1,407 communications with the Senate, up 12.5 per cent from the 1,250 posted in 2017 and more than doubling 2016 numbers, according to monthly reports from the federal registry. It follows the trend set […]
Industry players call for regulatory tweaks as empty shelves harsh retailers’ buzz
Some industry experts say the Canadian government’s legal pot regime can be tweaked to help address immediate supply concerns, but the federal minister in charge of overseeing the regulatory system said a national cannabis supply shortage isn’t to blame for unstocked retail shelves in parts of Canada. In an email interview with The Hill Times, […]
Critics question O’Regan pick for Indigenous Services, say ‘lame-duck’ posting could harm momentum
Dealing with a new Indigenous services minister feels like starting over, say many affected groups who fear momentum will be lost by bringing in a “lame-duck minister” who may not be able to make good on the government’s promise to enact child welfare legislation. Seamus O’Regan is earning mixed reviews in his new role, panned […]
Edible pot regulations a ‘start,’ says industry ahead of consultations
As they prepare to sit down with government officials to talk about cannabis edibles, industry stakeholders say the regulations already proposed offer a path forward, but there is still some cause for concern. “It’s a start,” said Ivan Ross Vrána, vice-president of public affairs at Hill+Knowlton Strategies, whose clients include cannabis companies The Green Organic […]
Legalization lessons from the municipal front lines
Legalizing non-medical cannabis has been a significant challenge for every order of government. Municipalities’ practical experience with legalization also underscores the need to modernize how governments work together to benefit the Canadians we all serve. This is a big national commitment. And such commitments often require extensive local implementation. When Ottawa commits to generate growth […]
Feds should snuff out excise tax on medical cannabis
The legalization of cannabis is a remarkable accomplishment of the current government. Ending nearly a century of cannabis prohibition in Canada was a fundamental policy change. Although it was not universally supported, it was the right decision and it is precipitating an evolution in global cannabis policy. The classic advice given to new cannabis consumers […]
TV tangle: CPAC still sorting out new Senate broadcast details
The Senate will begin regular video broadcasts of its Chamber proceedings in a few weeks, but the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) says it doesn’t yet know how it will balance the broadcast schedule between the Upper and Lower Chambers. Despite the murky details, the elected Chamber is still taking TV priority, according to an […]
Feds promote DMs who can stickhandle tough provincial, U.S. relations
The prime minister has promoted top bureaucrats, including a new deputy head of the public service, with experience handling sticky issues at the top of its agenda, including provincial and U.S. relations, as it gears up for October’s election. Beginning their new jobs this week are several top public servants the prime minister announced would be […]
