‘We’ve got things moving,’ AFN national chief Bellegarde touts new federal money in re-election pitch
Assembly of First Nations national chief Perry Bellegarde, who’s running for re-election in July 2018, says he’s the best person to continue the unprecedented momentum right now in Crown-First Nations relations, despite some criticism that’s he’s a “sellout” for being too close to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the federal government. “When were First Nations’ […]
It’s showtime: Morneau’s economic advisory council calls for $15-billion skills development initiative, tax cuts, policy changes
TORONTO—Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s Advisory Council on Economic Growth has issued its third and final report. Chaired by Dominic Barton, global managing director of the consultancy McKinsey & Company, the 14-member council was appointed early last year and held its first meeting in May 2016. It has been busy since then, producing three sets of […]
‘Watch me, you’ll see,’ under fire, new ethics czar vows to let his record do the talking on Trudeau, Morneau investigations
Canada’s new ethics commissioner says he will take up to a few months to decide what to do with the controversial ethics investigations into Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government and won’t be giving the Liberals any special treatment. “Watch me over the coming years, you’ll see,” said Mr. Dion in an interview with The […]
Cheaper isn’t always better, and prescription drugs are no exception
Earlier this month, the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board published new regulations that could see drug prices cut by up to 20 per cent. Taking a page from United States President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has adopted a reductive, fair-means-cheap pricing equation. The effects may be damaging for the pharmaceutical industry, Canadian […]
MPs, Senators expect better communication from new lobbying watchdog
Some MPs and Senators say they’re hoping to see the expected new lobbying watchdog, Nancy Bélanger, build a stronger relationship with them as she embarks on the start of term, as they suggested there’s been a lack of communication between the lobbying commissioner’s office and them in the past. “It’s really important that officers of […]
Ethics czar working ‘diligently’ to complete Trudeau investigation, promises to report ‘in the near future’
Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson, who started investigating last January Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s stay at the Aga Khan’s private island in the Bahamas, is “working diligently” to get it done and make it public in the “near future,” says a spokeswoman for the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner. “The commissioner is working diligently towards […]
“What do you think of the strategy of going after Bill Morneau every day in the House?”
Cameron Ahmad Liberal strategist “Let’s remember what we were debating before the last election, after a decade of short-sighted Conservative policies: whether the Canadian economy was about to be heading into another recession. “It’s understandable that the opposition doesn’t actually want to talk about how our plan for Canadians is working, or how Canada’s economy […]
AFN throws wrinkle into rollout of legalizing pot
OTTAWA—As the date for legal pot nears, the Assembly of First Nations has thrown a new wrinkle into the rollout. Last week, the AFN announced the formation of a committee to study how aboriginal territories will implement their own regulations. Regional chiefs from Quebec and Ontario share committee duties, and are expected to report on […]
Active transportation needs a federal champion
TORONTO—Canada needs a federal champion for active modes of transportation such as cycling and walking. At present, no federal minister has been assigned responsibility for supporting active transportation in this country. Mandate letters, used to set priorities for federal ministers, make no mention of active transportation. This is a problem for so many reasons. Active […]
Canada must redirect public financing away from fossil fuels
On Dec. 12, French President Emmanuel Macron will be hosting a climate change summit in Paris. The summit will focus on redirecting financing away from fossil fuels and towards climate solutions such as clean, renewable energy and green infrastructure. This will be an important opportunity for the Canadian government to make progress on two challenges: […]
