‘Damning’ corrections report reflects Senator concerns about human rights gaps in prisons
Unlike some of her peers, as a social worker and human rights activist Nova Scotia Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard had visited prisons long before the committee she chairs launched its sweeping study of inmates’ human rights. But those visits were in the Atlantic provinces, and as the Human Rights Committee moved west in its tours […]
Let’s have an adult conversation about how to improve Canadian health care
It’s important to look to the future needs of the health-care system and ensure that the plans of today meet the demands to come. Canada has an aging population. One in six citizens is a senior today, a figure that within 10 years is predicted to be closer to one in four. An aging population […]
Rebels for a cause: Bernier headlines Rebel Media event in Calgary
People’s Party Leader Maxime Bernier spoke at a far-right media organization’s event on Nov. 10 in Calgary. Mr. Bernier, a self-titled “Albertan from Quebec,” gave the keynote address at Rebel Media’s Rebel Live conference as part of a speaking tour taking him around the country introducing his upstart political party to Canadians. He left the […]
U.S. midterms offer hope for Democrats, but the outlook is anything but certain
WASHINGTON, D.C.—This is a country where a dead brothel owner can still win a seat in the Nevada state legislature. Where mentally troubled people can not only buy guns but have made a habit of shooting numerous innocent bystanders as a way of drawing attention to themselves and their disturbances. Where the president personally endorsed […]
Feds have spent less than half of controversial $7-billion budget fund, critics question lost oversight given ‘unchanged’ spending pace
The Liberals have allocated less than half of the budget spending from a controversial $7-billion fund that outraged opposition MPs, who argued it fundamentally undermined how Parliament scrutinizes government spending. They say the pace of the roll-out shows the revamped system didn’t justify the lost oversight. The government transferred $2.89-billion, or 41 per cent, to departments since […]
Clement has a tough road to redemption, say strategists
Former Conservative MP and Harper-era cabinet minister Tony Clement’s political career is on life support, and strategists of all stripes say it’ll be tough for him to redeem himself in the eyes of voters due to his errors in judgment and the fact he didn’t tell the entire story about his behaviour from the beginning. […]
Former Liberal Party organizer steps in as Trade Minister Carr’s new press secretary
International Trade Diversification Minister Jim Carr has a new press secretary in his office, with former federal Liberal organizer Isabella Brisson-Urdaneta having recently stepped into the role. Up until last month, Ms. Brisson-Urdaneta had spent roughly the past two years working as a senior field organizer for the federal Liberal Party in Quebec, based out […]
UN official warns of ‘dehumanizing’ political rhetoric amid Canada border-crosser debate
Parliamentarians should be careful not to politicize refugees, especially when their levels are “entirely manageable” like in Canada, says a United Nations refugee official. “I hope those responsible in the political sphere are not instrumentalizing the issue of asylum and migration for political gains that have got nothing to do with the issue at stake,” […]
Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador: neighbours that need to talk
OTTAWA—This month’s majority decision of the Supreme Court to reject Newfoundland and Labrador’s request to reopen the 1969 Churchill Falls power contract was not a surprise to anyone who has followed the case. With one exception (Newfoundland Justice Malcolm Rowe), the judges ruled there was no basis on which to reconsider the contract, which locked […]
Liberal changes to foreign aid bill raise ‘red flag,’ say Grit MP, critics, aid groups
A Liberal MP says he’s “skeptical” a provision tucked in the government’s massive budget implementation bill that makes changes to a law governing foreign aid accountability is as harmless as it appears. Opposition critics and foreign aid groups also say the proposed change to the Official Development Assistance Accountability Act found in Bill C-86 is […]
