Access review is questionable
Bureaucrats are now putting the final touches on a much-delayed task force report on the federal Access to Information Act. A review of the nearly 20-year-old access law is long overdue. Reports over the past decade from the information commissioner, who is charged with administering the act, have harshly criticized the broad discretion in the […]
It’s time for regulatory reform: Grit Lib MP Tom Wappel says bureaucracy must hand over ‘subliminal power’
The government needs to bring in legislation to give Parliament the power to strike down illegal regulations, says Liberal MP Tom Wappel and vice-chair of the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations. Mr. Wappel surprised some members of the opposition during the Feb. 21 meeting of the SJC when he echoed many of […]
If Canada doesn’t invest in foreign aid now, it will cost us more. It is important for Canada to maintain a separate path from the U.S., even though we are closely associated [International Development Policy Briefing]
There is a popular television advertisement for automotive oil filters that says “you can pay me now or can pay me later.” In other words, investing a little now can save you greater problems down the road. The same could be said for foreign aid provided by developed countries to less developed countries. If Canada […]
Big Dunc held down the PMO Press Office fort
And he hasn’t even gotten his promotion yet… Pity poor Duncan Fulton. The PMO press quarters are virtually deserted. Communications Director Francie Ducros, her deputy Ken Polk, and assistant press secretary Thoren Hudyma all joined the PM on his Russia-Germany-Sweden jaunt, leaving Big Dunc to handle media and communications back at the ranch while the […]
Hurrah for Prime Ministers’ Day
You truly have to hand it to Prime Minister Jean Chretien. Underestimated for decades by the talking heads — the chattering classes, many Liberals and know-itall politicos from all parties — the wily PM is now in the midst of his third majority mandate and showing little signs of slowing down. The opposition remains divided, […]
Why we went to Porto Alegre: Bloc Qu&ea;b&ea;cois promotes humanity. As Joseph E. Stiglitz said, ‘integration of the world economy works well when sovereign countries define terms’ [International Development Policy Briefing]
From Jan. 30 to Feb. 5, 2002, Porto Alegre, Brazil, was playing host to the second World Social Forum. First held in 2001 in response to the traditional economic forum in Davos, this event is intended to provide an open forum for discussion of the impacts of globalization and consideration of proposals for ensuring that […]
Liberals to live large in upcoming golden years
Money talks… The Commons, as with the population at large, is aging. With so many MPs in their late 40s and early ’50s — or older — promotion and power within the government benches is not necessarily the driving force for a large chunk of the Liberal caucus. Try financial security. Prime Minister Jean Chretien […]
Jack Siegel warns executive could override Ontario rules. Ontario membership rules ‘give unfair advantage to incumbent riding executives’: Jack Siegel
The public squabble over Liberal Party membership rules in Ontario, pitting Paul Martin supporters against those who back leader hopeful Allan Rock, is far from over and could come to a head at this spring’s national executive meeting, says one of the party’s chief legal executives. Echoing some of the concerns expressed by Mr. Rock […]
PM wants a different summit, not just a summit done differently: G8 will focus on global economic growth; building new partnership with Africa; and fighting terrorism: Fowler [International Development Policy Briefing]
On Jan. 1, 2002, Canada assumed the Chair of the G8. I have been asked to act as the Prime Minister’s personal representative for the G8 Summit and for Africa. I am therefore responsible for preparing the 28th Summit of leading developed democracies in Kananaskis, Alta., in June 2002, and for developing the G8 Action […]
IDRC strives to ensure research relevant to developing world. I’ve seen researchers in the South standing at the forefront, defining problems and developing solutions [International Development Policy Briefing]
Sharing knowledge, building capacity. Since the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) was founded in 1970, it has been helping developing countries use science and knowledge to find practical, long-term solutions to the problems they face. Research in the South, by the South, for the South has been the Centre’s credo for more than 30 years. […]
