Scheer says he and PBO on same page on $600-million-plus cost estimate of his bill
A new report from the parliamentary budget officer estimates Conservative leader Andrew Scheer’s proposed parental tax credit could cost the federal government as much as $868.6-million in the first fiscal year, if implemented—a figure the Conservatives say was close to their own estimate and shows that their costing process is more accurate than the Liberals’. […]
Canada must tell its allies glorifying Nazis is never okay
OTTAWA—During the last weekend in April, in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, hundreds of demonstrators marched through the streets chanting anti-Semitic Nazi slogans while repeatedly thrusting their right arms forward in the straight-arm Nazi salute. The purpose of the parade was to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the creation of the 14th Waffen SS […]
From rural Ontario to Central America: a Canadian activist’s plea for her spouse in prison in Honduras
I have lived and worked in Honduras as a Canadian human rights defender for nine years. I am also the spouse of political prisoner, Edwin Espinal, who is being held in horrific conditions in a maximum-security prison in Honduras. He has been the target of Honduran state persecution since 2009. Despite efforts to stop the […]
As ISG numbers swell, Senate grapples with how to divvy up caucus budgets
The Independent Senators Group—the largest collective in the Red Chamber—will have some extra money to work with this year, but not as much as the Conservative caucus or the three-person government team. Though they may not agree on how the money should be allocated, Senators from all sides say there should be a deeper examination […]
Questions abound on drug-impaired driving bill as clock ticks down to cannabis legalization
With the Liberals’ summer deadline for legalization of marijuana seemingly set in stone, a bill setting out rules around drug-impaired driving is still raising questions in the Senate committee tasked with studying the legislation. And committee members aren’t making any promises they’ll stand by the government’s proposed timeline. Bill C-46 makes changes to the Criminal […]
Ex-NDP MP Nystrom calls Weir probe ‘flawed,’ as party starts new investigation into MP Christine Moore
As the NDP opens a new investigation into misconduct allegations against MP Christine Moore, some party stalwarts say they don’t think it properly handled its most recent conduct review and dismissal last week of MP Erin Weir from caucus. Other observers, though, say the NDP leader and his team did the best they could, given […]
France at a crossroads as battle over Macron reforms intensifies
OTTAWA—Although Emmanuel Macron used a speech last month to the United States Congress to pointedly criticize American foreign and environmental policy, many will remember the French president’s glitzy state visit to Washington, D.C., above all for the chummy goings-on between him and U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump had made no secret of his affection for […]
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 Reestablishment and Compensation Act C-27, An Act to amend the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 C-28, An Act to amend […]
‘This is a high-stress job that takes years off people’s lives’: MPs reflect on their own well-being after Gord Brown’s death
Conservative MP Tony Clement says his caucus colleague Gord Brown’s death is “just another indication that this is a high-stress job that takes years off people’s lives,” but isn’t sure MPs will meaningfully change their habits. “Every time someone passes away we say the same things to one another, you know, hug your family, strike […]
What all politicians can learn from Gord Brown
OTTAWA—How wonderful to see so many people paying to tribute to the late Member of Parliament for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, Ont., Gord Brown. It speaks to the measure of the man that he continues to be eulogized by a diverse chorus of voices after his death last week. Many of us remain shocked […]
