We should tax meat and subsidize fruits and vegetables
Nothing elicits grumbles quite like talking about taxes. Governments around the world tax income, carbon, alcohol, tobacco, sugar, houses, inheritances, even saturated fat. And these taxes can be not insignificant; in Canada, for example, 35 per cent of the pump price for gas is tax. If a group of investors managing trillions of dollars is […]
Scheer better define himself, say observers, before he’s pinned as a ‘fuddy-duddy stuck in the ’50s’
The Conservative Party’s policy convention is still eight month away, but leader Andrew Scheer is under pressure to define himself and his revamped party for the Canadian public. Mr. Scheer’s (Regina-Qu’Appelle, Sask.) leadership has come under attack in opinion columns in The Globe and Mail, National Post, and iPolitics recently, with headlines declaring that he is […]
Time for Parliament to legislate control over Canada’s military criminal justice system
OTTAWA—The cornerstone of Canada’s constitutional democracy is the separation of government powers. As the artisans of law and with a complete oversight duty over the executive, the legislature arguably wields the greatest power. If there is public demand for a policy shift, it is the legislature that exercises control over the executive to ensure that […]
Rural ridings offer potential growth for Liberals in 2019 and PMO’s paying attention, says rookie rural Liberal MP Harvey
Rural ridings will offer potential growth areas for the federal Liberals in 2019 and the PMO and cabinet are paying close attention, says Liberal MP T.J. Harvey, chair of the Liberal rural caucus, but the Conservatives say they’re also targeting rural ridings and expect to win seats from the Grits in the next federal election. […]
Ex-ethics commissioner Dawson calls for removal of friends exemption in Conflict of Interest Act
Former ethics commissioner Mary Dawson is voicing support for eliminating an exemption in federal ethics rules allowing public office holders to accept gifts from close friends and relatives that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unsuccessfully used to justify his decision to vacation on the Aga Khan’s private island in 2016. Appearing before the House Ethics Committee on […]
Greed is not a social policy
OTTAWA—When the CBC sought comment about efforts by Tim Hortons heirs Ron Joyce Jr. and Jeri Lynn Horton-Joyce to recoup benefits from employees soon to be making $14 an hour, the reporter was told the pair wouldn’t be available to comment because they were at their winter home in Florida. Of course it wasn’t only […]
Finance Committee recommends budget focus on mental health, getting under-represented groups in workforce
After hearing from hundreds of advocacy groups about what should be in this year’s federal budget, the Liberal-dominated House Finance Committee decided last month against recommending spending cuts despite the growing budget deficit, instead urging the federal government to focus on getting under-represented populations into the workforce, addressing mental-health needs, and targeted infrastructure spending. For the […]
Among the top-lobbied issues for 10 straight months, ‘it’s all trade all the time’
Trade talks with the United States and Mexico, China, India, and Trans-Pacific Partnership countries helped make it the top-lobbied issue in November, and cemented its position among the top three lobbied topics over 10 straight months, numbers released last month show. “It’s all trade all the time…That’s priority No. 1 for a lot of organizations,” […]
Top 100 Most Influential Powerful & Influential People in Government & Politics in 2018
The rise and fall of political fortunes in Ottawa can almost always be traced back to decisions made by the players in federal politics, including those in the spotlight and in the backrooms. Questionable judgment on the part of top figures in the government drove media headlines and the political cut-and-thrust for much of the […]
The full interview: Perry Bellegarde on running again, ‘closing the gap,’ and more
It’s been a busy three years for Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde. Since he was elected as national representative for the influential association of chiefs in 2014, the Liberals have swept to power in Ottawa, promising a reset in the relationship between Indigenous communities and the federal government, and increased financial support […]
