The myths about Energy East, just to clear the air
GATINEAU, QUE.—The decision by TransCanada to mothball its proposed Energy East pipeline some days ago risks becoming flotsam in the all-consuming whirl of daily news—from Harvey Weinstein, to Donald Trump’s threats to dump NAFTA, to second-hand Australian jets. But we shouldn’t let the issue fade without hacking away the false claims and apocalyptic predictions surrounding […]
Diversity is our global advantage
It used to be that North America was synonymous with innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. We were young countries willing to take risks, break down class and social barriers and challenge old myths in the hope of building something better. One of the drivers was immigration and opportunity. Brave people from around the world willing to […]
Weinstein story needs to move beyond egregious acts of a single predator
OTTAWA—The ignominious end to Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein has all of us in agreement. This predator got what he deserved. But the larger question remains. How did he get away with it for so long? How was he able to assault so many women with so much impunity? Why did so many people say nothing […]
Why Canada’s Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence is in the wrong department
OTTAWA—First of all, kudos to the Trudeau government for its commitment to the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence (CCCEPE—that name is way too long, however). The $35-million over five years is an excellent start and, although details are wanting, the government sees the new office as a leadership post for Canada’s […]
A tale of two strategies
OAKVILLE, ONT.—Although New Democrats and Conservatives are different in so many ways, they both share a common dilemma: how do you beat an opponent like Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a man who’s abundantly blessed with that most important of political assets—likeability? And, yes, I know Trudeau has hit a few bumps on the road lately, […]
Anatomy of a maverick MP’s rogue vote
For a relatively unknown political commodity, it’s been a big month for Saint John-Rothesay Liberal MP Wayne Long, who has found his way to the centre of two of the biggest stories in Canadian politics: small business taxes and the demise of the Energy East pipeline. But the rookie New Brunswick backbench MP’s hand in […]
Status of government bills
House of Commons S-2, Strengthening Motor Vehicle Safety for Canadians Act (committee) S-5, An Act to amend the Tobacco Act and the Non-smokers’ Health Act (second reading) C-5, An Act to Repeal Division 20 of Part 3 of the Economic Action Plan 2015 Act, No. 1 (second reading) C-12, An Act to Amend the Canadian […]
Independent Senators Group adopts 60 per cent approval threshold for new members
Senators looking to join the quickly expanding ranks of the Independent Senators Group will now be subject to the approval of at least 21 of the group’s existing 36 members, thanks to a new policy governing membership. The policy was instituted during the group’s Sept. 25 meeting, according to former facilitator and Independent Senator Elaine […]
MP trips to U.S. more than triple in first quarter of 2017-18
With NAFTA renegotiations on the horizon, Members of Parliament took more than three times the number of trips to Washington and New York from April 1 to June 30 than the same period the year prior. In the first quarter of the 2017-18 fiscal year, which runs April 1 to Mar. 31, MPs used 16.5 travel […]
Senators, Indigenous activists frustrated by feds’ silence on Bill S-3
The government is reviewing new information on the potential implications of fully removing sex discrimination from the Indian Act, but Indigenous activists reaching out to cabinet to offer their own contributions said they’re not being taken up on their offer. “We wish to offer you the benefit of our expertise and long experience addressing the […]
