Ministry asks $30 per minute for data, despite Brison’s order to drop ATIP fees
The federal immigration ministry is asking up to $30 per minute to process a public request for immigration data, despite the Liberal government’s directive last year to waive extra fees for access to information requests and commitment to making government information open by default. One advocate of government transparency said the $30-per-minute proposed charge thwarts the intent […]
Liberals abruptly shut down House Affairs Committee filibuster after more than 80 hours of stalling tactics, Conservative MP Reid yells ‘that’s bullshit!’
PARLIAMENT HILL—The Liberals shut down the more than 80-hour filibuster at the Procedure and House Affairs Committee on Tuesday morning which was launched a few weeks ago in reaction to the government’s attempts to speed up a study on proposed changes to the House rules and opposition MPs reacted angrily to the move. Liberal MP Larry Bagnell (Yukon), chair […]
Chagger says time allocation to be used ‘more often’ by Liberals to pass legislative agenda
PARLIAMENT HILL—The Liberals say they will now use time allocation to get their legislative agenda moving, after earlier promising not to use the heavy-handed procedural tool to limit debate. “I have an important responsibility to ensure that there is meaningful debate, also that we are advancing that legislative agenda,” Government House Leader Bardish Chagger (Waterloo, […]
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, […]
