‘We’re still here’: MP Idlout on bringing Inuktitut to the House
This year’s Throne Speech marked the first time a Governor General has substantially addressed Parliament in a language other than French or English, and for Nunavut NDP MP Lori Idlout, hearing Governor General Mary Simon speak Inuktitut from the floor of the Senate Chamber was an “important” and “special” moment. “I sincerely felt included as […]
Green lobby ready to press on, following environment-focused October
Climate change commitments in the recent Throne Speech have set the tone for even more vigorous environmental advocacy in this parliamentary session, following an October in which the environment was the top subject of discussion between government officials and lobbyists in federal communication reports, according to the national policy manager of the David Suzuki Foundation. “’This […]
‘COVID is just purely an excuse’: Advocates call for auditor general review of access to information regime
With government departments still citing COVID-19 as causing delays in processing access to information requests more than 20 months since the onset of the pandemic, those who use the system are asking why the government can operate as usual, but not the regime that gives it transparency. Experts and advocates are calling for Auditor General […]
‘Further, faster’: Throne Speech presents Liberal plan to tackle COVID-19, climate change, and reconciliation
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s plan to rebuild the country post-pandemic focused on delivering programs to deal with rising living costs, and transitioning the economy to be more sustainable and durable in the face of climate change. “This is the moment to grow a more resilient economy. At the same time, the government will also continue […]
House committees set to be whipped up as MPs settle in
Government House Leader Mark Holland kicked off the new Parliament by setting out a list of bills the Liberals want to see passed in the next four weeks, before the House of Commons rises for a six-week break on Dec. 17, but to do that, the government will need to move fast to strike committees. […]
‘No one-size-fits-all approach’: federal public servants’ return to workplace still a work in progress
Most federal public servants are continuing to work from home more than 20 months into the COVID-19 pandemic that saw physical workplaces in the National Capital Region and across Canada close to all but critical workers. But there has been some movement towards some employees returning to the workplace recently. Only a few weeks into […]
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 […]
