Feds reject House committee advice to review no-ransom rule for kidnappings abroad
The government’s response to calls for consular-service reform is being panned by critics as a “middle of the road,” “status quo” approach that skirts two fundamental problems in the current system. Critics say the current rules leave Canadians open to discrimination in terms of the support they get from their government abroad, and keep families […]
Canada collects $1-billion in retaliatory tariffs as trade dispute drags on
Canada collected more than $1-billion in tariffs on U.S. imports in the first eight months after the government imposed countermeasures in response to American tariffs on steel and aluminum, but actual financial relief is slow to get to producers, say experts. Surtax revenues on more than 200 products totalled $1.04-billion between July 2018 and Feb. […]
Senate committees studying oil tanker ban, impact assessment bills won’t travel to key areas, members say
The Senate has approved more than $600,000 for a pair of committees to travel as part of their study of controversial government bills that affect the resource development industries, but some Senators say they’re not happy with the travel itinerary. The Transport and Communications Committee, which is studying Bill C-48, the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, […]
AI expected to allow bureaucrats to work smarter, not harder, in new digital age
The increasing use of artificial intelligence in the public service is likely to make bureaucrats’ jobs easier, rather than usurping them entirely, says Natalie McGee, the executive director of enterprise strategic planning at Treasury Board. For example, instead of someone calling into a Canada Revenue Agency call centre with questions about the government’s Climate Action […]
It’s report card time
After nearly four years of Liberal governance, it’s time for each minister’s end-of-term evaluation. As the NDP’s transport critic, I regret to say that Transport Minister Marc Garneau does not get a passing mark. Of course, some might think this grade is because I’m an NDP MP. That’s why my assessment is based on the […]
No one left behind: for universal internet access, federal government must do more
The federal government’s 2019 budget earmarked $1.7-billion for a lofty, and utterly vital, aim: universal access to high-speed internet. While the funding is a step in the right direction, many more steps are needed to ensure all Canadians have access to a basic service that’s fundamental to participating in nearly every facet of the modern world. From […]
Indian Day School settlement: survivors’ perspectives
Just a little over 10 years ago, the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) was implemented for Indian Residential School survivors. It was a meaningful attempt to compensate Residential School Survivors and to achieve reconciliation for harms and abuses that they suffered. We are survivors of Indigenous Day Schools in Canada—another program designed to “kill […]
From bullets to bytes: tackling Canada’s cyber defence challenge
George Orwell once said, “We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.” Sleeping safe now depends less on Orwell’s rough men and more on highly educated and specialized women and men peering into computer screens. These cyber warriors are […]
Airline lobby appeals to feds for targeted incentives for sector as it fleshes out climate policy
As Ottawa prepares to roll out proposed regulations for its clean fuel standard, aviation stakeholders have been urging the government to adopt a policy carveout for the sector to create the necessary incentives to encourage uptake of biojet fuel. In the absence of an existing commercial market for biojet fuel, which makes renewable aviation fuel […]
Increased foreign ownership limits may not lead to cheaper airfares, experts say, but its worthwhile anyway
The increase of foreign ownership limits in Canadians airlines may not lead to more competition for commercial airliners and cheaper airfares for consumers, experts say, but added that there is no reason for the federal government not to increase the limit. Under the broad-reaching Bill C-49, formally called the Transportation Modernization Act, which received royal […]
