Bigger workload, shorter timelines a growing ‘burden,’ says PCO
New priorities created by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his ministers have put the public service’s hub of support for the cabinet under growing strain, according to its annual report. An “increased workload and shorter timelines means an increasingly heavy burden on existing resources and expertise,” says a section of the Privy Council Office’s (PCO) […]
Opposition MPs filibuster House Affairs Committee over Trudeau government’s ‘despicable attempt’ to change way House works
PARLIAMENT HILL—Opposition MPs were filibustering the Procedure and House Affairs Committee on the Hill on Tuesday for more than three hours over what Conservative MP Scott Reid called a “despicable attempt” by the government to ram through sweeping new changes to how the House of Commons operates, including even when it sits. Mr. Reid’s (Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston, Ont.) made […]
Trudeau can fix our broken whistleblowing system: here’s why and how
OTTAWA—The House Government Operations Committee deserves kudos for taking the bull by the horns in its review of Canada’s failed system for protecting government whistleblowers. This week the committee will hear from no less than four experts representing countries that have much better laws: the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Ireland. The comparisons these experts can […]
Senate Liberal, MPs slamming feds for not living up to transparency promises
The government isn’t living up to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s promise to make its information “open by default,” say a handful of Parliamentarians from different parties. MPs and a Senate Liberal are crying foul after being denied information they had requested from Global Affairs Canada; the Canada Revenue Agency; Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada; and […]
Liberal MP Simms tries to expedite House modernization process
The Procedure and House Affairs Committee—tasked with tackling the expansive review of rules that govern the House of Commons—is being urged by committee member and Liberal MP Scott Simms to make a special effort and hold extra sittings, if necessary, to make headway on a study on possible changes to the Standing Orders. Mr. Simms […]
Delays, delays, delays: a constant for government-information seekers
OTTAWA—Delays for months and years are very commonplace in attempts to get access to government records. Cumbersome and, at times, unnecessary lengthy consultations, creaky under-resourced and rigid administrations, and time privileges granted to corporations all contribute to the maxim, “information delayed is information denied.” That certainly has been the case in recent requests to get to […]
Liberals buzzing about a summer cabinet shuffle, fall Throne Speech
PARLIAMENT HILL—Government backbenchers say Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could conduct a major cabinet shuffle this summer followed by a Throne Speech in the fall as Liberals approach the midpoint of their four-year mandate before the next federal election in 2019 and after the Conservatives elect their new leader in May. “You’re halfway through the mandate. You move around some ministers and give […]
Trade policy about more than just reminders to export
Historically, free trade agreements were regarded as self-evidently beneficial; no efforts were needed to prepare Canadians for their effects. Experience, however, has taught us otherwise. Of the 12 free trade agreements to which Canada is a signatory and have come into force, seven of them have seen our merchandise balance of trade worsen with our respective […]
Despite ‘rocky start,’ public service union leaders prefer Trudeau to Harper
The relationship between Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government and unions has been “rocky” so far, but federal public service union leaders say it is better than it would have been if the Conservative government of Stephen Harper had been re-elected in 2015. “We have a respectful working relationship [with the Liberal government],” Robyn Benson, national president […]
Pay up…please? Debt agents struggle to recoup cash for feds
Private debt collectors recovered less than seven per cent of the money they were tasked with tracking down for the federal government between late 2015 and December of last year, with some institutions getting back nothing at all, according to documents made public by the government. Collection agencies clawed back about $23-million in total of nearly […]
