Now is the time for Parliament to take action on improving mental health care in Canada
With Parliament sitting next week for the first time since the summer election, the government is now seized with the important task of drafting their legislative agenda—and what better time to lay out key priorities around mental health care in Canada than in the Speech from the Throne? It is our belief that this minority […]
PPS likely to have eyes on Hill vaccine mandate, with Senate leaders soon to meet
The Parliamentary Protective Service will likely be tasked with checking for proof of vaccination as part of the House of Commons’ new mandate, according to union heads, the details of which are still being ironed out as Senate leaders are soon to meet, with contemplation of a vaccination policy of their own on the agenda. […]
Former Liberal minister makes history in Edmonton mayoral race
Former Liberal cabinet minister Amarjeet Sohi has returned to his municipal political roots. Mr. Sohi, who was the MP for Edmonton Mill Woods, Alta., from 2015 to 2019, was elected Oct. 18 as the new mayor of Edmonton. He won the federal riding in 2015 by a razor-thin margin of 92 votes, besting then-Conservative cabinet […]
Hill vaccine mandates: how it could be done, and where things stand
As Parliament readies to make its return, the question of whether a vaccine mandate will—or can—be imposed on Parliamentarians, staff, and other Hill occupants looms large, with the privileges enjoyed by MPs and Senators raised as a possible impediment. But parliamentary experts who spoke with The Hill Times say it’s the prerogative of the House […]
Government contempt for transparency undermines reconciliation
Public sentiment dictates action after the discovery of residential school children’s grave sites. It’s not, however, going to be easy to try and compensate for Canada’s long on-going official policies and practices that have done so much long-term damage to Indigenous communities, including government contempt for releasing information to the public. In the lead up […]
Experts, opposition MPs divided on NSICOP’s value, as debate over national security docs handling continues
Amid a legal battle over whether the government has to release documents that could contain national security concerns to the House of Commons, some argue a more formal solution to how Parliamentarians can access sensitive documents may be needed, sparking debate over the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians’ future. While opposition parties have […]
Treasury Board’s pretend review of Canada’s Access to Information Act is also a waste of money
OTTAWA—Treasury Board’s statutory review of Canada’s Access to Information Act is late, has had very little public uptake, and is going to cost taxpayers millions. What’s more, Treasury Board has stacked the deck with many government agencies responding in secret. The exercise will cost at least a million dollars and likely much more and this is […]
Public Service Employee Survey results show increase in job satisfaction, awareness of mental health supports amid COVID-19 pandemic
Canada’s federal public service employees reported higher levels of job satisfaction, meaningful recognition for their work, and psychological health in the workplace last year, according to results from the 2020 Public Service Employee Survey. And with new questions added around flexible work hours, mental health supports, and perceptions of anti-racism efforts, the annual survey has […]
Parliamentary privilege at issue as MPs seek documents on Winnipeg lab firings
With MPs growing increasingly frustrated over not receiving requested documents, a fight over parliamentary privilege is brewing with the Special House Committee on Canada-China Relations and Conservative Party demanding documents about the firing of two scientists. Throughout the 43rd Parliament, House committees have requested unredacted documents from the government, but in turn the executive has […]
Industry reps, MP urge swift action on committee calls to help interpreters
The House Official Languages Committee has backed a number of recommendations to improve the working conditions of interpreters supporting Parliament during the shift to virtual, including unanimously urging the government to adopt a new definition of remote interpretation—changes industry reps say they hope to see acted on as soon as possible. “Parliament could be paralyzed […]
