Federal health agencies failing on Indigenous reconciliation, external review finds
A recent external review commissioned by Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor found the government’s arm’s-length pan-Canadian health organizations to be laggards when it comes to engaging with Indigenous groups and communities, something the minister says needs to change. The reviewers’ report, which looked at the role and function of eight pan-Canadian health organizations (PCHOs), found […]
Minister wants tobacco plain-packaging bill passed by summer
Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor says she wants to see a heavily-lobbied bill that proposes to standardize plain packaging for cigarettes finally passed before summer after nearly two years of study by legislators. Bill S-5, introduced by the government Senate representative in November 2016 and now back in the House after committee study, having already […]
Seniors’ issues shouldn’t be in ‘silo,’ says health minister facing calls for national strategy
Advocates and politicians are calling on the Trudeau government to take a leadership role in improving the lives of seniors, saying more program co-ordination is needed for citizens over 65, but Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor is defending the Liberals’ multi-departmental approach, shooting down a proposed idea of a dedicated ministry or department. “I always […]
Pharmacare ‘feels closer now than ever before,’ but advocacy groups split on design
While supporters of a national pharmacare plan agree a government-funded strategy is necessary to increase the accessibility of prescription drugs, there’s no consensus on how to get there as stakeholders await further details on the role of the government’s pharmacare point man. Former Ontario Liberal health minister Eric Hoskins was rolled out on Feb. 27 as […]
Public policy changes needed: hospitals should have access to federal infrastructure funding
Over the next decade, the federal government plans to invest $25.3-billion in social infrastructure in communities across Canada—much-needed money to build affordable housing, early learning and childcare centres, and cultural and recreational infrastructure. But hospitals, among the most important institutions in our communities, will get next to nothing. Over the past decade, hospitals were excluded […]
It’s time to strengthen Canada’s anti-money laundering, anti-terrorist financing regime
As part of the five-year statutory review of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA) the Department of Finance has put forward suggested reforms and the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance has engaged in a full assessment of the legislation and its regulations though public consultations. The reform efforts […]
Few options for peace on the Mountain
MONTREAL—In the increasingly fiery debate over the planned expansion of the Alberta/B.C. Trans Mountain pipeline, there is no mystery about the conflicting end games of the three governments embroiled in the dispute. But what about Kinder Morgan itself? Alberta and Ottawa want to see the project designed to bring more of that province’s oil to […]
Difference between a green economy and business-as-usual isn’t the economy; it’s the environment
What Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna have been saying for more than two years now is true—Canada can take action on climate change and have a strong economy. The two can go hand in hand. However, the path to a low-carbon economy is paved with strong climate policies, […]
B.C. needs strategy to tackle rising costs of climate change
Climate change is most often thought of as a future threat, but as many of us know, its impacts are being felt more and more every day. The consequences of major spring flooding and summer wildfires on both sides of the Rockies in the past few years are telling: natural disasters are happening more often, […]
Research and technology won’t feed starving southern resident orcas
More funding was announced by Fisheries and Oceans Minister Dominic LeBlanc on March 15 for initiatives to protect southern resident killer whales, the iconic orcas off the southern coast of British Columbia that are slowly starving to death. While funding for technology and research is important, a cash infusion alone won’t feed the 76 orcas […]
