Canadian political parties are prime targets for hackers: here’s how to defend them
Last month, the Communications Security Establishment released an update to its cyber threat report, where it unambiguously states that Canada will face foreign cyber interference in the fall federal election. It also notes that foreign cyber interference “has become the most common type of cyber threat activity against democratic processes worldwide.” After the well-publicized Russian […]
Questions abound over ‘ugly’ defence procurement system following Mark Norman case
Following the turbulent Mark Norman case, questions are being raised about the political nature of defence procurement decisions. Vice-Admiral Mark Norman was accused of leaking cabinet documents about a decision to delay a $688-million supply ship procurement. He was charged with breach of trust, and pleaded not guilty before the prosecution stayed the case last […]
New agriculture minister Bibeau most lobbied in first month on the job
In her first month as Agriculture Minister, Marie-Claude Bibeau was the most lobbied in cabinet, according to March filings in the federal lobbying registry. In meetings spread throughout the month, she spoke to 17 different groups and was mentioned in 19 reports. It continues the trend of Ms. Bibeau (Compton-Stanstead, Que.) meeting with more organizations […]
‘Inappropriate’ or not, disregard for the rules shouldn’t be put on parade
OTTAWA—Last week, the social media platforms were set abuzz over a photograph depicting a squad of armed Canadian soldiers in combat uniforms, seemingly on patrol on the streets of Toronto. The majority of these soldiers wore regimental turbans adorned with the cap badges of several different militia units. They were in loose order, rather than […]
Corporate accountability is also a feminist issue
There is an indisputable difference between claiming to be a feminist and being a feminist. One amounts to a proclamation, the other is a consistent way of life. With the recent appointment of an ombudsperson for responsible enterprise (CORE) on April 8, the Canadian government continues to epitomize the former. Canadian companies represent approximately 60 […]
USMCA vote falls to wayside as feds continue outreach on lifting tariffs
The Canadian government is questioning the value of ratifying a renegotiated trade deal with the U.S. and Mexico if tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum remain in place, according to a government official. And despite success reaching out to American politicians, it remains to be seen if U.S. President Donald Trump will be persuaded. It’s […]
‘Worrying’ transparency gap in sponsored travel, say critics after lobbying czar report
Canada’s reporting system for sponsored parliamentary travel creates a “gap in transparency,” making it difficult to know whether lobbying happened on the trips, or afterwards, according to a new report from Lobbying Commissioner Nancy Bélanger. Her office launched an investigation into 19 corporations and organizations that paid for 334 MP and Senator trips between 2009 […]
Why is China so angry with Canada? It’s not just the Huawei CFO case
Oh, Canada. China is really angry with you. It is not only detaining Canadian citizens, now it is cutting off billions of dollars of canola and pork exports, and Canadians are wondering what’s next. How did Canada get into this deep mess? It is not only because Canada arrested Huawei’s CFO Meng Wanzhou at the […]
Government ‘closely monitoring’ tenfold spike in Mexican asylum claims
The Liberals say they’re “closely monitoring” the spike in Mexican asylum claims made in the two years since Canada lifted visa restrictions, as the Mexican government launches its own domestic campaign to help stem the tide. In 2018, 3,300 Mexicans claimed refugee status, more than doubling the 1,515 who made that claim the year before. […]
A lesson for the boys in short pants: the war on data hurts us all in the end
OTTAWA—In a few short months Canadians will head to the polls to elect our next government. But before they do, voters need to appreciate that their ballots will have lasting effects for years to come—well beyond a single government’s mandate, and in ways exceeding the imaginations of election platforms. Following nearly 10 years of Conservative […]
