Feds shift to non-traditional workspaces, but not everyone’s happy about it
While the outgoing head of the public service positively portrayed the government’s shift to non-traditional office environments in his final annual report released earlier this month, some public service unions say the changes aren’t conducive to a good workspace, with some employees having no designated desks, leaving little space for personal belongings or accessibility accommodations. […]
Senators work to change Ambrose’s judicial training bill, get it passed before summer break
With a private member’s bill that would improve judicial training on sexual assault stalled in the Upper Chamber, some Senators say they’re willing to sit the few extra hours needed to get the “important” bill through before Parliament rises, but it’s not clear enough Senators agree. The committee tasked with studying the bill has two […]
Standing Order rewrite expected to wrap up in June, says clerk, but Conservatives concerned, and experts say it’s a good move
A complete rewrite of the House of Commons’ sprawling Standing Orders is currently underway, aimed at making the rules that govern the House Chamber more accessible and user-friendly, something experts say is a much-needed and helpful exercise. The package currently being produced by the House administration is a proposal and will be put to MPs […]
Shugart will be tested in clerk’s role ‘very quickly’ in light of SNC-Lavalin controversy, says ex-PBO Page
Incoming Privy Council clerk Ian Shugart will be tested “very quickly” on how to walk the line between serving political masters and staying professionally non-partisan, but he’ll rise to the challenge, said former parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page. PCO clerk Michael Wernick is one of the key actors in the SNC-Lavalin affair, and was accused […]
Design plans for Centre Block’s big renovation to be finalized in 2022, say House officials
Canada’s iconic Centre Block building was emptied for construction about two months ago, but a final design for the building’s renovation won’t be finalized until January 2022, Parliamentarians recently learned. Since MPs, Senators, and staff finished clearing out of the Centre Block in January, workers have been busy decommissioning the building and conducting investigations—prying into […]
Name caucus reps to get MP input on Centre Block rehab, says Board of Internal Economy
MPs weren’t consulted enough in the planning process for the renovation of the West Block, say House of Commons administrative staff, who welcomed the idea of a working group of Parliamentarians tasked with giving feedback to avoid pitfalls in the upcoming revamp of Centre Block. Michel Patrice, the House deputy clerk of administration, told the […]
The time is ripe to grapple with Canada’s big institutional questions
Canadians have just had a crash course in the workings of their national political institutions. What have they learned? Partisan politics rules. Canadians ought not be surprised to learn that political assistants in the Prime Minister’s Office said to one another and to a cabinet minister in a private meeting that “we can have the […]
Horseshoe shape proven lucky for reduced partisanship in parallel U.K. Chamber, House Affairs Committee hears
The shape of a secondary House of Commons Chamber should be considered if Canada is to build one, former United Kingdom House clerk David Natzler told the Procedure and House Affairs Committee, saying the design of the British space seems to bring a more informal and less partisan tone. Established 20 years ago, the U.K.’s […]
PSPC set to award contracts to speed up Phoenix pay processing, says Linklater, as unions protest third anniversary
Later this month, the department overseeing the fix of the government’s Phoenix pay system will award two contracts to companies in the hopes of speeding up the processing of public servants’ problem pay. Public Services and Procurement Canada associate deputy minister Les Linklater, who is in charge of fixing the pay system, told the House […]
NDP MP’s ‘Create Your Canada’ contest catching on as way to engage, educate Canadians
Ten years since its inception, NDP MP Nathan Cullen’s contest to turn a policy pitch from one lucky constituent into a private members’ bill has been catching on among his caucus colleagues as an innovative way to engage, educate, and excite everyday Canadians about the federal legislative process. “We’re watching SNC-Lavalin, how they were trying […]
