More transparency needed on Canada’s sanctions on Russia, say critics
With Canada positioning its sanctions regime as one of the main pillars in confronting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, an NDP MP and a sanctions expert say more needs to be known about who and what has been penalized. Canada has sanctioned 954 Russian individuals and 257 entities since 2014, as well as 424 Belarussian individuals […]
Federal departments eyeing mid-September return to office, but unions pushing back
Two and a half years into a COVID-19 pandemic that has dramatically altered workplace arrangements, some federal departments are moving to implement return-to-office policies, in many cases looking for employees to return two days per week starting Sept. 12. But as the seventh wave of the pandemic continues, and with many employees working productively from […]
Survey suggests Translation Bureau’s existing interpretation resources could be better used, says AIIC
Almost half of responding Translation Bureau-accredited freelance interpreters have taken zero or very few assignments with the bureau in the last six months, according to a new survey by the International Association of Conference Interpreters—findings rep Nicole Gagnon says show the House of Commons’ pilot project to test the use of external providers is “needlessly […]
Parliament is subject to the law of the land, rule of law
OTTAWA—When Parliamentarians are elected, they acquire the universally accepted immunity or privilege of freedom of speech, which is designed to protect the interests of the institution. They are thus protected while performing their constitutional role in Parliament. Beyond the walls of Parliament, like every other citizen, they are subject to the law of the land: […]
Tory House leader rails against interpreter pilot project defended as necessary amid service strain
A union and an association representing Hill interpreters are lambasting the House of Commons’ decision to launch a pilot project testing the use of remote and external interpreters, and Conservative House Leader John Brassard is adding his voice to the chorus of those arguing it will threaten the quality of bilingualism on the Hill. During […]
‘An idea whose time has come’: expand Hill precinct, says Fergus
Parliamentarians have an opportunity to make the Parliamentary Precinct safer by securing the area from those who would “sow chaos” and expanding the area under the jurisdiction of police who protect the Hill, while still retaining public access, says Liberal MP Greg Fergus. “It’s a reality that we have to face up to, that sometimes […]
PSAC declares impasse in negotiations with feds over wages, as unions, feds navigate inflation, ‘hybrid work’ model
The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the country’s largest federal public service union, has declared an impasse in collective bargaining negotiations with the government on behalf of 120,000 workers, with national president Chris Aylward honing in on the government’s wage offer as the “tipping point” leading to the standoff. The government’s offer was an […]
Stretched thin: Resources to support committees strained amid virtual format, late-night sittings
Support resources on the Hill, particularly interpretation services, have been stretched thin amid continued hybrid virtual proceedings and the addition of late-night sittings, leading to a wave of committee meeting cancellations last week. Conservative House Leader John Brassard says he sees “one simple solution” to the problem: putting an end to hybrid proceedings. “The pressure […]
PPS asks for ‘substantial increase’ to address Parliament Hill security
The physical security of the Parliamentary Precinct amid “an evolving threat environment” has prompted a request for nearly $10-million more for the Hill’s security team for the fiscal year. “This year’s the first in three years we’ve asked for a substantial increase,” Eric Savard, Parliamentary Protective Service (PPS) chief financial officer, told members of Procedure […]
Government should waive cabinet confidentiality on Emergencies Act deliberations
In the latter years of Stephen Harper’s Conservative government, transparency was—well, not really a thing. In fact, the group Canadian Journalists for Free Expression gave the former prime minister the lowest grade possible for its transparency evaluation, an F-, for the last two years he held office. As the Trudeau government continues its tenure, one […]
