Wilson-Raybould aims to Charter-proof human trafficking law
Citing Charter of Rights and Freedoms concerns, federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould has tabled a bill killing a portion of a private member’s bill passed in the last Parliament aimed at tougher sentencing for human trafficking and exploitation. On Feb. 9, Ms. Wilson-Raybould (Vancouver Granville, B.C.) tabled Bill C-38, amending former Bloc-turned-Independent MP Maria Mourani’s bill that […]
Lobbyists should disclose how much they get paid, says Delta, B.C., reader
A huge thank you to The Hill Times for its awesome and unique coverage of the people and politics of Parliament Hill. As a lifelong anti-tobacco activist, I was particularly interested in a couple of stories: “Lobbyists not interested in registering how much they’re paid to lobby,” (The Hill Times, Jan 23) and “Health most lobbied […]
Conservative leadership race flips into high gear
MONTREAL—With Kevin O’Leary on stage, the Conservatives had their first chance to watch the full slate of leadership hopefuls in action Saturday night. Here is a look at the state of play as the year-long campaign to find a successor for Stephen Harper moves into high gear. Maxime Bernier has collected more money than any […]
In pipelines we trust?
In relationships, trust is king. Nowhere has this been more apparent in Canadian politics recently than with pipelines. The overtly pro-fossil fuel policies of the Harper government weakened and politicized the National Energy Board, the institution charged with conducting neutral public hearings on proposed pipelines. Predictably, Canadians’ trust in the board cratered. Prime Minister Justin […]
We’re being killed by marketing, again
Seventy years ago, at the 1947 meeting of the American Medical Association, all the big tobacco companies were major sponsors. As one commentator described it, doctors “lined up by the hundred” to pick up free cigarettes at company booths. Big tobacco was aggressively seeking doctors—yes, doctors—to help sell their deadly products. Indeed, a year earlier, […]
Overwhelming evidence supports need for Canadian atrazine ban
The Health Canada agency responsible for evaluating pesticides based on their health and environment risks, is about to decide the fate of atrazine. Atrazine is a pesticide used extensively in corn production, but its widespread use is disconcerting. It’s known to change the gender of frogs and harm aquatic ecosystems, […]
A novel infrastructure story: moving Canadian grain to global markets
Some things never change. When I served as chief of staff to Reg Alcock, who was then president of the Treasury Board and minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board from 2004 to 2005, one of the gnawing issues confronting us was what to do with Canada’s aging grain car fleet. Flashing forward over a […]
Letting watchdogs be reappointed is not a good idea, for anyone
FREDERICTON, N.B.—At its highest water mark, opposition critics were not prepared to ask the federal Parliament’s ethics commissioner to recuse herself from investigating the prime minister while her future status was uncertain. But it caused one critic to muse that the situation was “awkward.” With the announcement that she will not seek another term, Conflict of […]
First-past-the-post electoral system advances ‘democratic values,’ says rookie Democratic Institutions Minister Gould a week after Libs break campaign promise
PARLIAMENT HILL—A week after the Trudeau government scrapped its promise to change Canada’s first-past-the-post electoral system in time for the next federal election, the new Minister of Democratic Institutions Karina Gould defended the current voting system before the House Affairs Committee Tuesday, saying it “advances a number of democratic values.” “The first-past-the-post system may not be […]
Good climate governance starts with inclusive, accountable decision-making
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Paris Agreement, which came into force last November, represents a watershed moment in global efforts to achieve universal political acceptance of the threats and risks of climate change and the multi-stakeholder cooperation needed to address it. This agreement requires climate action from every country to limit global temperature increase to “well below 2 […]
