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 […]
Opposition House leaders want new special committee to take over Commons rule changes study, vow to continue filibuster against Libs’ plan to ‘unilaterally rewrite’ playbook
PARLIAMENT HILL—Conservative and NDP House leaders want the government to set up a new House committee to study its proposed sweeping changes to parliamentary rules and say they will continue to filibuster the Procedure and House Affairs Committee in the meantime. Conservative House Leader Candice Bergen (Portage-Lisgar, Man.) and NDP House Leader Murray Rankin (Victoria, […]
Feds expect to roll out findings of internal review on Phoenix pay system this summer
Senior-level officials who are responsible for Public Services and Procurement Canada’s problem-plagued Phoenix pay system will find out this summer if they will be receiving performance pay for the time leading up to Phoenix’s rollout, but they are on track to take home similar benefits for this past fiscal year, despite still having 284,000 pay transactions behind […]
House Affairs Committee puts filibuster on pause once again, as House leaders negotiate behind scenes to end standoff
PARLIAMENT HILL—The Procedure and House Affairs Committee paused its filibuster Monday afternoon against the government’s proposed sweeping changes to House rules while the Liberal, Conservative, and New Democrat House leaders talked behind closed doors to end the standoff. Deputy Government House Leader Arnold Chan (Scarborough-Agincourt, Ont.) told The Hill Times that it’s the “best way” for the two sides […]
