MPs taking advantage of new flexibility in travel budgets: It’s common sense to extend privileges for trips to the U.S. capital, says NDP MP Pat Martin
NDP MP Pat Martin went to Washington, D.C., on April 1 this year, the U.S. day for asbestos awareness, and didn’t have to pay for it thanks to a new provision in travel allowances for MPs. As of Dec. 6, 2004, the House Board of Internal Economy approved the reallocation of trip allowances for MPs […]
Some facts on post-secondary education in Canada
* Revenue for Canada’s universities and colleges in 2004-2005 was $27.7-billion. * Federal, provincial and municipal government funding, including funding for research, accounted for 55.6 per cent of the revenue. This ranged from 43.6 per cent in Nova Scotia to 70.5 per cent in Quebec. * Student fees accounted for over 20 per cent of […]
Journalists love a good stunt, an eye-catching novelty
It is with deep feeling we mourn the passing of the timeworn Indignant Man With A Prop routine, to the sorrow of ex-Mint president David Dingwall. It’s sad, really; this is what it must have been like the day vaudeville died. Journalists love a good stunt.They’ve invented a few of their own. But a stunt, […]
Conservatives urging NDP to bring down Libs after Gomery report release
The PMO will get a copy of the Gomery Report 16 hours before it’s released this week. Now opposition leaders want one too. With Justice John Gomery set to release his first report on the federal sponsorship program, the survival of Prime Minister Paul Martin’s government lies in the hands of the NDP. The opposition […]
Stronach says ‘it’s all about investing in people’ in global economy
Belinda Stronach’s No. 1 challenge: ‘getting Canadians, in particular, young Canadians, to better understand the global competition.’ Human Resources and Skills Development Minister Belinda Stronach says investing in people and in universities is a top priority, but said the government still hasn’t figured out how it will spend the $1.5-billion over the next two years. […]
Lobbyists say they’re caught in pre-election crossfire
Many lobbyists agree that the current rules need to be enforced, but are skeptical of the suggestion that noncompliance is rampant throughout the industry. The lobbying world has been caught in the pre-election crossfire, says Hillwatch co-founder Scott Proudfoot. “A lot of stones are being thrown by both journalists and politicians and there is some […]
Chalifoux joins federal Justice Minister Cotler’s office: Transport Minister Lapierre snags Mylene Dupere as senior special assistant
Irwin Cotler, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, has hired a new press secretary and Quebec assistant for his ministerial political office. Marc Chalifoux started his new job as press secretary and special assistant for Quebec to Minister Cotler (Mount Royal, Que.) on Oct. 27. He succeeded Mylene Dupere. A native of Montreal, […]
Tory Leader Harper is ‘standing up for the trades’ with a made-in-Canada approach: Conservative MP Van Loan
On Oct. 13, 2005 Conservative Party Leader Stephen Harper announced a cornerstone of the Conservative Party’s platform for the upcoming election: “Standing up for the Trades.”A made-in- Canada approach, the aim is to tackle the shortages in the skilled trades. There are as many as 20,000 skilled trades positions that cannot be filled today, and […]
Layton earns rave reviews for performance at ‘hottest ticket’ in town event at Parliamentary Press Gallery Dinner
The new location, in the Grand Hall of the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Que., dazzled many. The VIPs at the podium elicited laughter and enthusiastic applause. And with nearly 600 attendees, this year’s Parliamentary Press Gallery Dinner, emceed by CBC Radio’s The House host Anthony Germain, was the largest such gathering on record. […]
Time to end the attack on collective bargaining: Christopherson: Collective bargaining rights should be and must be legislated and defended by government
The right to associate with other likeminded people in common cause is the very cornerstone of democracy. Other freedoms are tremendously important – freedom of expression, of religion, the right to a fair trial and so on – but it is the freedom of association which creates the possibility for citizens to win other freedoms. […]