Liberals’ policy convention a ‘litmus test’ of Grit membership, a time for leadership to listen, say Libs
When more than 2,500 Liberals sweep into Halifax for their last national policy convention before the 2019 election, Grits say the party’s senior leadership should look to the gathering to gauge, engage, and mobilize the base for the next general campaign. They also say the party’s top brass has to listen. While not likely to prompt […]
Difference between a green economy and business-as-usual isn’t the economy; it’s the environment
What Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna have been saying for more than two years now is true—Canada can take action on climate change and have a strong economy. The two can go hand in hand. However, the path to a low-carbon economy is paved with strong climate policies, […]
Trudeau government in ‘home stretch’ of mandate, political insiders suggest a reset with Throne Speech, summer cabinet shuffle
With the next election only 19 months away, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should focus on governing and hit the reset button this summer by proroguing Parliament, shuffling his cabinet, and starting the fall session with a new Throne Speech, say political insiders. “At some point during this summer, the prime minister should be meeting with […]
B.C. needs strategy to tackle rising costs of climate change
Climate change is most often thought of as a future threat, but as many of us know, its impacts are being felt more and more every day. The consequences of major spring flooding and summer wildfires on both sides of the Rockies in the past few years are telling: natural disasters are happening more often, […]
Experts warn of ‘long-term political consequences’ for Liberals if Trans Mountain pipeline fails, but Trudeau says pipeline will happen
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who met with B.C. Premier John Horgan and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley for more than two hours on the Hill on Sunday, says the government will start negotiating with Kinder Morgan to “remove the uncertainty” over the fate of the $7.4-billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project and promised the pipeline will happen, […]
Pipeline politics pit profits against planet
TORONTO—The proposed Trans Mountain heavy-oil pipeline from Alberta to the Pacific Coast has law, economics, and the Constitution on its side. It has been approved by the National Energy Board and okayed by the federal government which, under the constitution, has the ultimate authority in such matters. First Nations along the right of way may […]
Research and technology won’t feed starving southern resident orcas
More funding was announced by Fisheries and Oceans Minister Dominic LeBlanc on March 15 for initiatives to protect southern resident killer whales, the iconic orcas off the southern coast of British Columbia that are slowly starving to death. While funding for technology and research is important, a cash infusion alone won’t feed the 76 orcas […]
Humboldt tragedy hits home for MPs
Speaking through tears, Conservative MP Kevin Waugh recalled bumping into Brody Hinz, a statistician for the Humboldt Broncos Saskatchewan junior hockey team, last November in Ottawa. The 18-year-old was one of the 15 people killed in a Friday evening bus crash carrying the hockey team. “Here’s a kid that was probably me 37 years ago. […]
Harassment stats flat, mental health middling among federal employees: survey results
As an employer, the federal government isn’t doing enough to stop harassment within the public service, says a union leader, after results of a large-scale survey of federal employees indicate that workplace harassment has stayed consistent over the past few years. “In my mind, if the government’s doing its job to reduce harassment in the […]
Perreault promoted to PMO lead speechwriter after Armstrong departs for Morneau’s office
Brittany Perreault has been promoted to be senior manager of speechwriting in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office, taking charge of the team previously headed by Jeni Armstrong. Former lead speechwriter Ms. Armstrong left the Prime Minister’s Office on March 29 to join Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s team as a senior communications adviser as of April […]
