Bumpy ride ahead on the bandwagon: why Canadian foreign policy lacks direction
Foreign policy is often explained and understood as a state’s inner values projected outwards to the realm of international relations. For Canada, which is built on the democratic pillars of liberal principles, this means upholding the virtues of human rights, free and fair elections, gender equality, and an independent and benevolent foreign policy, among others. […]
Former diplomats and experts at odds over potential Canadian re-engagement with Tehran
Does the downing of Flight 752 and the deaths of 57 Canadians in Iran present a catalyst to restart Canada’s diplomatic relationship with Iran? Foreign policy experts and former diplomats have mixed views on whether the attack on the aircraft shows a needs to have diplomats on the ground in Tehran. Former diplomats who are in […]
Lobbying Act review overdue, but court case could delay it further
The Lobbying Act is set for a statutorily mandated review in this parliamentary session, and has been for over two years, but a case currently before the Federal Court of Appeals could delay the review process even longer. Lobbyists say that, despite the review being long overdue, it is prudent to wait for the decision […]
Lobby commissioner outreach continues under strategic plan
When she was nominated and quickly confirmed as the lobbying commissioner in late 2017, Nancy Bélanger said in her first public message that her office would be “committed to increasing outreach and education activities to foster a shared understanding of the obligations stemming from the Act and the Code.” Education and outreach has been one […]
Stewardship of public trust a foundational block of our duties as Parliamentarians
The steady degradation of public confidence in national institutions is something that I hear about from my constituents. Since my appointment as the shadow minister for ethics, I regularly hear from Canadians across the country about their concern for the trajectory of Canada. This erosion in public confidence has resulted in a Canadian public that […]
Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct establishes principles, rules of ethical behaviour expected from lobbyists
The lobbying regime fosters transparency of lobbying activities and ethical conduct in lobbyists. My role as the commissioner of lobbying is to regulate federal lobbying activities. The Lobbying Act has been in effect for over a decade. The act recognizes that open and free access to government decision-makers is a matter of public interest and […]
Lobbying and democratic governance in Canada
While still largely ignored by political commentators and contemporary scholars in Canadian politics, corporate lobbying practices have now become an integral part of our democratic system. In that respect, my work as a founding member of the Lobbying and Democratic Governance in Canada (LDGC) research project concentrates on the relationship between corporate lobbyists and policymakers […]
Public officials are expected to always act in the public interest
Earlier this month, marked two years since I was appointed as Canada’s second conflict of interest and ethics commissioner, responsible for a number of duties under the Conflict of Interest Act and the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons. I have had ample opportunity during that time to reflect on […]
Nonsensical to not give the benefit of the doubt to Iran’s intentions in Flight 752 tragedy
OTTAWA—On Jan. 9, when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the downing of Ukrainian Airlines flight 752 was believed to have been caused by an Iranian missile, he was immediately denounced across social media platforms for “kowtowing” to the Tehran regime. What sparked this public derision was the fact that Trudeau stated that such a […]
Trudeau set right tone in the days after Flight 752 downing, say foreign policy experts
In the days after Canada learned that it was Iran that downed a Ukrainian airliner shortly after it took off from Tehran, the somber, measured, but outraged tone of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s public comments has struck the right chord, say foreign policy experts. But with only a supporting role in the crash investigation and […]
