Speaker says precedent-setting $7-billion budget vote can go ahead
NDP MP Daniel Blaikie says he’s exhausted almost every procedure in the book to stop a controversial $7-billion budget vote, but after a Monday night House Speaker’s ruling, he’s not sure what else to do. “We are getting to the point where we have done all that we can do. I really have tried to […]
‘Something has to give:’ MPs across party lines push to reform Parliament, loosen party control
MPs in the All-Party Democracy Caucus are canvassing colleagues for feedback on parliamentary reform to see where there’s momentum for change in the wake of a report released this week that found ex-MPs were disillusioned by the level of party control, partisanship, and their lack of independence. Caucus co-chair and Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld said […]
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 […]
Respect provincial laws to ensure the highest standard applies
During the last electoral campaign, the Liberal Party’s platform stated that a Trudeau government would respect provincial and municipal authority before authorizing oil or pipeline projects. “While governments grant permits for resource development, only communities can grant permission.” So the Liberals said—before the elections. In Bill C-69, the government has decided not to take into […]
Minister Duclos promotes press secretary Gauduchon to director
Families, Children, and Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos recently promoted his press secretary, Émilie Gauduchon, to take over as director of communications in his ministerial office. Ms. Gauduchon had stepped in as acting communications director after Mathieu Filion left Mr. Duclos’ office around mid-May, with the change soon after being made permanent. Mr. Filion is […]
The difference between a plan and a wish list
I represent an unusually engaged electoral district. Voters in Saanich-Gulf Islands, B.C., are well-informed and active. Among my constituents is an impressive group of retired scientists, judges, and Parliamentarians, including former cabinet minister Pat Carney. Firmly committed to stopping the Kinder Morgan expansion, she has pointed out that the Liberals do not have an Oceans […]
Fix ‘disconnect’ that leaves parliamentary secretaries out of political-fundraising rules, say Senators
Despite their proximity to decision-making, parliamentary secretaries aren’t covered by the government’s bill regulating political fundraisers—a “loophole” a Liberal Senator who is a former parliamentary secretary says should be addressed in Bill C-50. After two weeks of study, the Senate’s Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee will on the afternoon of June 13 deliberate clause by […]
It’s high time Canada get out of Iraq
OTTAWA—On June 7, Canada’s chief of defence staff, General Jonathan Vance, told reporters that there had a been a major shift in terms of our military commitment in Iraq. At an undisclosed point in time, our special forces operatives stopped training Kurdish peshmerga militia members and began assisting Iraqi government troops. As Vance put it: […]
Hell is empty, boys
The most predictable thing in the world these days is the unpredictability of Donald Trump. With every reversal, 180, and pre-emptive or ad hoc torpedoing, the perpetually volatile actor occupying the White House takes America further from its leadership as a defender of democracy and freedom and transforms its long-standing indispensability into geopolitical radioactivity. Except […]
My love affair with the Library of Parliament
I don’t know how many love affairs have flourished on Parliament Hill over the years, but I want to tell you about one: mine, with the Library of Parliament. I’m very sad because, though this romance is far from over, I’ll likely never see my love again. She’s going to be boarded up in the […]
