Friday, July 4, 2025

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Friday, July 4, 2025 | Latest Paper

What’s up PROC? Committee filibuster over prorogation study passes 40-hour mark

The Procedure and House Affairs Committee has been at a standstill for the last two months, with a filibuster over an attempt to have Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and others, testify as part of its study on the government’s report on prorogation now past the 40-hour mark, a longevity NDP MP Daniel Blaikie says has […]

New contract keeps distance interpreting definition deemed problematic by association

New contract terms for federal freelance interpreters are out, and while one proposed aspect flagged as problematic has been reversed, a definition of distance interpreting that’s been criticized as likely to open up the workforce to greater health and safety risks has been maintained. “Because they’re putting it down in the contract for the very […]

New contract for freelance interpreters slated for April release

New contract terms for federal freelance interpreters will be published in April, according to Public Services and Procurement Canada.  Contract terms proposed by the department last year led the International Association of Conference Interpreters’ (AIIC) Canadian branch to raise the alarm, with rep Nicole Gagnon, who herself works as a freelance interpreter on Parliament Hill, […]

With great financial power comes great responsibility

On Friday, March 12, the second hour of debate concluded on my private member’s bill, C-231, An Act to amend the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Act (investments). The Canada Pension Plan fund, valued at about half a trillion dollars, has the kind of financial firepower that can literally move markets with its investments. Where […]

Not open to interpretation: virtual Parliament exacerbates pre-existing issues with vital service

Parliament’s shift to hybrid virtual proceedings as a result of COVID-19 has led to a spike in injuries for Hill interpreters, and in turn, has exposed and exacerbated pre-existing shortfalls with the “essential” service—shortfalls that MPs, industry advocates, and others are looking to address. “It [COVID] has certainly exacerbated the underlying issue of the challenges […]

Artificial intelligence another avenue for government to thwart transparency

OTTAWA—Artificial intelligence (AI) applications in use at federal agencies are rarely publicly known or sufficiently scrutinized. Yet the algorithms in play to either assist or replace the judgment of human decision-makers can make predictions, recommendations, and decisions that can significantly impact individuals and public policy. One example recently brought to light: the Globe and Mail […]