Ford’s French-language smack down has just begun
OTTAWA—Premier Doug Ford’s French-language smack down has just begun. And if he thinks his problem is going to go away any time soon, he does not understand the deep roots and the strength of the francophone community in Ontario. The last time the provincial government moved to reduce services was when the government of Mike […]
NDP fundraisers need a darker tone
OAKVILLE, ONT.—Sometimes I get the sense Canada’s New Democratic Party doesn’t fully understand the urgency of its situation. And yes, the NDP’s current situation is pretty darn urgent—at least when it comes to the all-important task of raising political donations. Indeed, in that regard the NDP is badly trailing its political rivals. According to the […]
Finance Committee vice-chair reviewing Grewal’s questioning of RCMP, FINTRAC officials
Five-term NDP MP Peter Julian, who is vice-chair of the powerful House Finance Committee, says he’s reviewing the questions Liberal-turned-Independent MP Raj Grewal posed to senior law enforcement officials during the committee’s study on money laundering while under investigation. Mr. Grewal (Brampton East, Ont.) is under investigation by the RCMP over the source of the […]
Journalism community divided over feds’ $600-million media fund, opposition MPs say it doesn’t solve the problem of falling ad revenues
The government’s recent and controversial announcement of the $600-million funding package has fuelled a heated debate in news media circles, but one thing is clear: the devil’s in the details, and right now, there are few. While the journalism community is still grappling with whether there should be funding for journalism at all, and if […]
House should set up permanent Commons committee on digital issues, says NDP MP Angus, after unprecedented international summit
NDP MP Charlie Angus says the House should set up a new and permanent standing committee to tackle digital issues, including online privacy and regulation, in light of growing global concern over how tech giants like Facebook protect personal data and disseminate information online. Mr. Angus (Timmins-James Bay, Ont.) raised the idea during an unprecedented […]
Instead of worrying about Scheer’s performance, Conservatives should be concerned about Bernier as a ‘disrupter’ in next election, says pollster Nanos
Even if Maxime Bernier and his newly launched People’s Party don’t make any significant electoral gains in the House in 2019, they’ll still be “disrupters and a nuisance” for Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, whose party could lose some seats, especially in closely contested ridings if the vote is divided on the right, says leading pollster […]
Part II: The Hill Times’ ongoing series designed to help opposition leaders help themselves
TORONTO—Dear Jagmeet: By now, you would have seen the latest Nanos poll thing, showing your New Democrats at a titch under 15 per cent. By now, too, you have perhaps abandoned the fetal position you have adopted under your desk, which is nowhere near Parliament Hill because, well, you haven’t been elected to a seat […]
In talks to address cuts to francophone services, feds should not be so quick to cast first stone
Doug Ford’s purposeful neglect of Ontario’s francophone minority has sparked howls of outrage, especially from Ottawa. Without question, Ford’s recent decisions—even if he has walked back from them a bit—to relegate the standing of Franco-Ontarians to little more than an expense Ontario can no longer afford should be condemned in strong terms. But federal politicians […]
French is an asset to Ontario, the bigots be damned
OTTAWA—It has been a long couple of weeks for Franco-Ontarians and their supporters. It began with the announcement by Premier Doug Ford that the French language services commissioner would be eliminated and plans for a French-language university would be scrapped, both as cost-saving measures. Considering the Ontario government inherited a deficit from the Wynne Liberals […]
Status of government bills
HOUSE OF COMMONS Second reading: C-5, An Act to Repeal Division 20 of Part 3 of the Economic Action Plan 2015 Act, No. 1 C-12, An Act to amend the Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act C-27, An Act to amend the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 C-28, An Act to amend […]
