Questions remain over political party data practices after recent testimony, says expert Colin Bennett
Little has been learned and questions remains after the recent and unprecedented House committee appearance by representatives from Canada’s major political parties, who spoke about and took questions on parties’ collection, use, and protection of personal data, says University of Victoria professor and privacy expert Colin Bennett. “A lot of it [the testimony] was expected. […]
‘Too early’ for TSB to remove transport of flammable liquids by rail from watchlist, says Lac-Mégantic MP
Five years after the catastrophic Lac-Mégantic rail disaster that killed 47 people, the Transportation Safety Board has removed the transportation of flammable liquids by rail from its watchlist, but the MP who represents the devastated town says he thinks the decision was made too soon. The TSB watchlist is a list of “key safety issues” […]
Two working groups to be set up to address dairy subsidies and the sector’s future
Successive trade deals have left the Canadian dairy sector fearing the country’s dairy market is being used as a bargaining chip, and in response, the Canadian government has announced the launch of two working groups, in partnership with dairy interest groups, to assess the sector’s future. International competitors have gained about 10 per cent of […]
Imprisoned Saudi blogger’s family visits Parliament Hill
Human rights activist Ensaf Haidar, the wife of jailed Saudi dissident Raif Badawi, and their children, visited NDP MP Hélène Laverdière on the Hill last week to champion his case. Mr. Badawi was arrested in 2012 and faced the charge of “insulting Islam through electronic channels.” In 2013, he was sentenced to seven years in […]
New policy adviser, Ontario desk among recent staff hires in the Prime Minister’s Office
There are a few new faces in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office, including former McKinsey & Company manager Bud Sambasivam. Mr. Sambasivam is now busy at work as a policy adviser in the PMO, after joining the top office in early October. Before then, he was a manager with McKinsey & Company in Calgary. Born […]
‘Recreational marijuana is now officially legal in Canada. What do you think of the roll-out so far?’
Cameron Ahmad Liberal strategist “Consumption rates of recreational marijuana among Canadian youth are among the highest in the developed world. Every year, billions of dollars pour into the pockets of organized crime due to the failed policy of prohibition. Experts agreed that the government should develop a new system to protect young people and our […]
Here’s the trouble with PM’s debate plan
It is not necessary to doubt the independence of former governor-general David Johnston to find that the optics of his nomination as Canada’s first debates commissioner were less than optimal. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not consult the opposition parties on the choice of a debates referee nominee. The Liberal government set the criteria that […]
Next election remains Trudeau’s to lose
TORONTO—Justin Trudeau and Andrew Scheer are agreed on one thing, at least: the next election is going to be nasty. The 2019 election will be decided less than a year from now. So, the two main party leaders say it’s going to be down and dirty. Should we believe them? Not really. If you think […]
Canada’s good climate cop
OAKVILLE, ONT.—As I watch the politics of “climate change” unfold, on both the national and international level, I see it evolving into a game of “Good Climate Cop” versus “Bad Climate Cop.” Playing the part of “Bad Climate Cop” is the United Nations, which recently came out with a report painting an alarmingly dismal picture […]
Trudeau rebate bumps support for carbon pricing above 50 per cent, poll suggests
The Liberal promise to return directly to Canadians revenue from the upcoming carbon tax has shifted public opinion to give the Grits a slim edge in support and has “mollified” some opponents, according to a poll following last week’s announcement. After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed the Liberals’ plan for provinces that opted not to […]
