Canada returns to ‘complex’ spending system, after ‘failed’ attempts at reform
Two years after the Liberal government brought in controversial reforms to Canada’s financial planning system, the old timeline has returned that misaligns the budget and the approval of the bulk of parliamentary spending—a system its critics say is an “embarrassment” that requires “fundamental” change and opposition input to avoid the problems in the last reform […]
‘Data, privacy, trade’: ministers tasked with AI file contending with fast, fundamental changes
From new ice forecasting techniques that help improve shipping safety in northern waters, to new tools involved with the reclamation of ancient Indigenous languages, to social media “chatbots” that respond to general questions about immigration and citizenship, the Canadian government is increasingly turning toward automated tools to solve tough problems, improve predictions, and cut down […]
Senators asked to study limits of parliamentary privilege for harassment investigations
The Senate Rules Committee will be asked to study the limits of when Senators can claim parliamentary privilege during a harassment investigation, as some did during the Senate ethics officer’s investigation into disgraced former senator Don Meredith. The committee will have an April 30 deadline to report its findings back to the Senate. As of […]
Let’s work together to make pharmacare a reality: NDP MP Davies
In this minority Parliament, Canada’s New Democrats plan to push universal pharmacare to the top of the agenda. We are calling on all parties to help us fast-tack this long-overdue expansion of our public health-care system because Canadians cannot afford to wait. Today, one in five Canadians—some 7.5 million people—either has no drug coverage at […]
In minority Parliament, Lamoureux suggests no House votes on Mondays and Fridays, a dual Chamber, and more power for MPs
MPs could be given more power, they could stop voting on Mondays and Fridays, and there could be a two-House Chamber to complement the work of the Commons, says Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux, parliamentary secretary to the government House leader, and the one who’s leading the charge to modernize the House in this minority Parliament. […]
PCO, Canada’s high commissioner to U.K. likely consulted in royal couple’s plans to move here part time, say experts
As the Royal Family scrambled to navigate the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s announcement they were planning to pare down their royal duties and move to Canada part time, one expert says Canada’s high commissioner to the U.K. Janice Charette would “likely be a key person” in any early discussions including Canadian officials, with a […]
‘He has a lot of work to do’: elusive collective agreement, Phoenix damages loom large for new Treasury Board president
As Canada’s largest federal public sector union remains without a new collective agreement, PSAC national president Chris Aylward says newly appointed Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos “has a lot of work to do” with 140,000 public sector workers still without a contract. But Canada’s former top bureaucrat suggests Mr. Duclos may be a “bit of […]
Parties agree to NDP’s push for representation on steering committees
The Liberals and opposition parties have agreed to give the NDP representation on all steering committees, an ask that the Conservatives’ whip says had delayed the process of setting up committees. The House on Wednesday voted by “unanimous consent” to strike the Procedure and House Affairs Committee, also known as PROC, the body responsible for […]
Veterans’ benefits lead in supplementary spending ask of nearly $5-billion
The federal government’s budgetary spending is up 7.3 per cent so far this fiscal year over last, as laid out in the recently released first supplementary estimates of 2019-20. The supplementary estimates (A) for this fiscal year were tabled by new Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos (Quebec, Que.) on Dec. 5. These estimates, the first […]
In Speech from the Throne, a nod to Western alienation, promise to enshrine Indigenous rights
SENATE CHAMBER—In an effort to strike a conciliatory note after being reduced to a minority, the Liberal government is promising to “apply a spirit of collaboration” as it works to carry out its priorities, including introducing a middle-class tax cut as its “first act” and setting Canada on the path to carbon neutrality by 2050, […]
