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 […]
Feds set aside $545-million to finance new contracts reached with big unions
After more than a year in office, the Liberal government has reached tentative agreements with several large bargaining units representing thousands of civil servants, though those without deals are signalling they won’t settle until they get exactly what they want. Alain Belle-Isle, a spokesperson for the Treasury Board Secretariat, said in an emailed response to questions […]
MPs, Senators should be briefed on trade deals before they’re inked: Senate committee
On the eve of an expected NAFTA renegotiation, the Senate committee responsible for international trade is calling on the government to brief Parliamentarians regularly on how it’s faring in ongoing trade negotiations. The government should report to the Senate and House trade committees every quarter of the year, keeping them updated on their negotiating mandate and […]
House Government Operations Committee leaps into action to protect whistleblowers, or does it?
OTTAWA—Whistleblower protection advocates across Canada were celebrating last week when the news broke that Treasury Board President Scott Brison had suddenly asked the House Government Operations Committee (OGGO) to conduct a review of the federal whistleblower protection law (the PSDPA). This review, which by law should have taken place five years ago, has been steadfastly blocked […]
