City bends rules to burden struggling area near the Hill with huge homeless shelter
OTTAWA—The House of Commons regularly reverberates with paeans to equality, the aspirations of Canadians seeking to better themselves, and fairness for all. Yet only a few miles down the street in Ottawa, these values are being largely ignored in an effort to stick the city’s poorest neighbourhood with an enormous institutional shelter so that tourists […]
Of Jagmeet Singh and ‘othering’
Re: “Singh’s group loyalty challenges, and why we should be worried about that,” (The Hill Times, Nov. 13, p. 9). Nothing is advanced by calling a party and factions a tribe and sub-tribes. Under the heading “Cultural tribalism,” the article’s description of New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh as markedly “different,” I believe, is an […]
Phoenix could be a big problem for the Liberals in 2019, say critics, union reps
The Phoenix pay system mess could prove to be a problem for the Liberals at the ballot box in 2019, says opposition MPs and union representatives, as the auditor general confirmed Tuesday it would take years to solve. According to auditor general Michael Ferguson’s report, the government’s $540-million earmarked to fix Phoenix will not be […]
PM’s summer home upgrades, security to cost $1M
The RCMP and National Capital Commission are requesting more than $1-million to renovate the prime minister’s country escape in the Gatineau Hills. The Harrington Lake home needs new windows and doors, heating, cooling, and security upgrades as well as masonry work, according to the supplementary budget estimates recently tabled in the House of Commons. The starting date for […]
Our continued prosperity depends on an expanded and effective immigration system
Canada’s population is aging, its workforce shrinking, and productivity is declining. If we do not take steps to reverse these trends now, Canada will not have the human resources to sustain the very things that we cherish as a country—our health care and education systems or the outstanding quality of life we are fortunate to […]
“Talks continue on the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal. Is this a good deal for Canada? Why or why not?”
Cameron Ahmad Liberal strategist “The prime minister recently returned from two summits in Asia, both excellent opportunities for Canada to reiterate its commitment to a strengthened economic partnership with Asia-Pacific nations rooted in mutual respect and open dialogue. “While in Vietnam, our government demonstrated leadership on advancing open and progressive trade and advocating for Canadian interests […]
NDP planning historic, secret vote in House to keep private member’s bill from sinking
NDP MP Sheila Malcolmson is looking to dust off a never-before-used parliamentary manoeuvre in an effort to keep her private member’s bill on abandoned vessels from fading into legislative oblivion. Ms. Malcolmson (Nanaimo-Ladysmith, B.C.) plans to become the first MP in Canadian history to trigger a vote by secret ballot in the House over an […]
Canada needs to address water pollution from tailings ponds
FORT MCMURRAY, ALTA.—It was extremely disappointing to read the Government of Canada’s response, earlier this month, to accusations that it was sitting idly by while oil sands tailings ponds were leaking contaminants into rivers and lakes in northern Alberta. High concentrations of toxins have been detected in groundwater and surface water. But the government argued […]
Indigenous Services Minister Philpott hires a new special adviser
Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott welcomed Kathy Kettler to her new ministerial office and political staff team earlier this month to serve as a special adviser. Ms. Kettler was previously a senior policy adviser who focused on mental wellness with the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) in Ottawa, a national representational organization advocating for the rights and […]
Plenty of flash from the Liberals, but where’s the beef?
TORONTO—A good marketing plan combined with creative promotion have always been the essential ingredients for success. Whether in business or politics, if you can’t promote your product you are doomed to fail. If put your plan behind the face of an articulate and good-looking individual, success is guaranteed. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his team […]
