Pharmacare debate a symptom of chronic electoral grandstanding
OTTAWA—On June 12, an advisory council appointed by the Trudeau government recommended the establishment of a universal, single-payer public pharmacare system. When fully actualized in 2027, it is estimated it would cost $15-billion dollars per year. The council was led by Dr. Eric Hoskins, a former Ontario health minister. Hoskins is a well-respected physician and […]
Race and Politics
Ensuring success for Canada’s human rights ombudsperson: the importance of collaborative dispute resolution
In January 2018, the Canadian ombudsperson for responsible enterprise (CORE) was established to address responsible business practices and allegations of human rights issues related to Canadian companies operating abroad in the mining, oil and gas, and textiles sectors. In an attempt to reshape this newly established mechanism, some commentators are lobbying the government to change […]
The potential for economic reconciliation through meaningful Indigenous-industry relationships
Key Canadian sectors and organizations have a genuine opportunity to improve relationships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people across the country. And there is an increasingly promising array of developments, tools, and frameworks to accomplish this. With its 94 calls to action, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) final report provides a clear and […]
Arctic sovereignty is contested, Inuit rights are not
Recently, the question of “who owns the Arctic” was thrust back into the news following comments by U.S. Secretary General Mike Pompeo challenging Canada’s sovereignty over the Northwest Passage. Pompeo was speaking at the Arctic Council’s Ministerial meeting in Rovaniemi, Finland. In his speech, Pompeo restated the long-held American position that the Northwest Passage is […]
Federal funding for Métis post-secondary education shuts out Métis settlements, says governing body
Ottawa’s efforts to close the education gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students is getting a boost after the Liberal government committed to spending $362-million for Métis post-secondary education on June 10. “These funds will support three key areas: student support, education governance capacity, and community-based programs and services to support students,” Minister of Indigenous Services […]
Trudeau government needs to back its words with actions if it truly wants to build relationships with Canada’s Indigenous people
The Trudeau government’s commitment to Canada’s Indigenous people started out with such promise in 2015. Here was a government committing to reconciliation, making its relationship with Indigenous people a top priority; what a breath of optimism after the Harper years. But actions speak louder than words and on that front this government still has work […]
First Nations’ priorities are Canada’s priorities
The coming federal election is an opportunity to examine First Nations’ priorities, and to understand that progress on these priorities will add to the economic, social, cultural and environmental success of the country—and a better quality of life for all Canadians. The First Nations agenda is about creating stronger, more prosperous First Nations and, thereby, […]
Indigenous Services Minister O’Regan says pace of progress on reconciliation with Indigenous peoples moving in ‘substantive’ way
The Trudeau government is eyeing the pre-writ period for the release of its national action plan for tackling the recommendations that were outlined by the national inquiry responsible for investigating the systemic violence faced by Indigenous women and girls, says Indigenous Services Minister Seamus O’Regan. In a sit-down interview with The Hill Times in his […]
It’s time governments recognize post-secondary Indigenous institutes’ incomparable contributions to society
Often, the income gap between women and men is discussed in the news and by politicians in Canada. Women earn less than their male counterparts, earning about 75 cents to a man’s dollar. But what receives less attention is the even more significant and worrisome income gap between Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous Canadians. In 2005, […]
