Budget bill, marijuana legalization looming, as opposition parties fuming
The Liberals might be feeling like the Burt Reynolds character in the movie Smokey and the Bandit: “We’ve got a long way to go and a short time to get there,” went the theme song to that important piece of 1970s cinema. After being away for the last two weeks, MPs are back in Ottawa […]
More than 60 per cent of Canadians support idea of prime minister’s Question Period, half are in favour of electronic voting in the House: poll
More than 60 per cent of Canadians polled are in favour of creating a prime minister’s Question Period, while 50 per cent support the idea of introducing electronic voting in the House of Commons—both of which are ideas for reforming the Standing Orders that have been put forward by the Liberal government. In a Forum […]
A history of heckling
It’s a practice everyone is familiar with, and likely, has engaged in themselves. Watching sports? You’ve probably tossed out a few barbs about the competence of the players, or referees. Attended a stand-up comedy show? If it wasn’t you, you’ve probably seen someone try to shout down the comedian onstage, telling them they weren’t funny […]
Proposed PBO changes fall short of promise
Within the 308-page budget bill are proposed changes to the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer that, on the surface, would seem to meet some of the Liberal government’s campaign promises and grant some of the wishes of individuals who have worked within that office. The budget legislation, Bill C-44, among many other things, makes […]
MPs from all sides divided on idea of electronic voting in House
Introducing electronic voting to the House is one of a number of ideas for reform put forward by the Liberal government, but MPs are divided, with some in favour of it for the sake of efficiency while others prefer the tradition of standing for votes. “I really think it’s important for Members of Parliament to […]
Liberal MP Easter says Grits should switch approach on House rule changes to get legislative agenda moving
PARLIAMENT HILL—Frustration is mounting among government backbenchers over the stalemate over potential House rule changes, and the resulting inability of the government to advance its legislative agenda, says one longtime Liberal MP, who adds that it might be time for the government to rethink its approach. “A fairly good number of Liberals that are frustrated—[I’m] frustrated myself—with […]
Access to information reform could compromise ‘quality of decision making’: ex-PCO chief
One of the Liberal government’s plans to make ministers’ offices more transparent could undermine the quality of advice public servants provide to their ministers if not executed carefully, says a former head of the public service. Opening up ministers’ offices and the Prime Minister’s Office to access to information requests, as the Liberals have promised, […]
Filibuster over potential House rule changes ‘a waste of everybody’s time,’ says former Liberal MP
PARLIAMENT HILL—Former Liberal MP Paul Szabo says the ongoing filibuster at the Procedure and House Affairs Committee over the government’s attempt to expedite a study and report on the Standing Orders—the rules that govern MPs and the House—by the summer, without a preset condition of all-party support, is “a waste of everybody’s time.” Mr. Szabo […]
“What do you think of the ideas put forward in the government House leader’s discussion paper on reforms to the Standing Orders?”
Kate Purchase Liberal strategist “In the last election, we promised to bring real change to Parliament, and Canadians elected us with a mandate to deliver on that pledge. Reforms to the Standing Orders—to make the House more efficient, open, and transparent—will help us provide the accountability we promised Canadians. “Changes like adding a new Prime […]
House Affairs Committee work piling up as fillibuster continues over Standing Order reform push
Locked in a filibuster since last month over the Liberal government’s push to study possible changes to the House Standing Orders, “work is piling up” for the Procedure and House Affairs Committee, says NDP MP David Christopherson, vice-chair of the committee. “It’s a mess, and we’ve just got priority on top of priority, and many […]
