APEC and mental health: Canada poised to become regional incubator for advanced research and best practices in mental health innovation
As my colleague Michael Wilson and I reminded the House Finance committee recently, mental disorders are one of Canada’s leading healthcare challenges costing upwards of $51-billion a year. There is an urgent need to address mental wellness here at home and abroad. I’m proud to say that Canada will soon be at the forefront of […]
A primer on House of Commons committee members, agendas
As of now, almost all House committees have elected their chairs but just 16 per cent, or four of the 25 committees are chaired by women, and 40 per cent, or 10 of 25 of committee chairs are rookies. According to The Hill Times review of committee makeups, male and veteran MPs are still dominating the […]
Slate of veteran Hill reporters depart, take on new roles
Many Hill reporters are changing jobs or leaving the Parliamentary Press Gallery—many seizing the timing of a new government and some leaving as a result of cuts—and while there are some new reporters on the Hill, the veterans take away with them experience and institutional knowledge that aren’t easily replaced. “That has an impact [on coverage] whenever you […]
It’s time for action on homeless veterans, now
A recent government report, which found that 2.7 per cent of Canada’s total homeless population using shelters are Canadian Forces veterans, is just the “tip of the iceberg” and a symptom of the government’s failure to provide sufficient support, veterans’ advocates recently told The Hill Times. Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehr also told The Hill […]
MPs party under the stars, B.C. politicos come to town
Last Wednesday was another event-filled evening on the Hill and in the Hill neighbourhood as lobby groups filled the newly-renovated Sir John A. Macdonald Building reception room on Wellington Street and others flocked to the Party Under the Stars at Ottawa City Hall. The Party Under the Stars event, organized by longtime Hill staffer Cheri […]
Time to finally do something about homeless veterans, says Kovacs
Re: “Number on homelessness among Canadian vets just ‘tip of iceberg” say vets’ advocates,” (The Hill Times, Jan. 18, p. 7). I found it curious that none of the individuals interviewed for this article had precise information regarding the number of homeless veterans in Canada, yet all indicated that this problem has existed for many […]
MPs keep up weekly swim at Chateau Laurier pool, challenge Hill reporters to race
Talk about a warm-up. A Thursday early morning tradition of a swim workout by MPs at the pool of the Fairmont Chateau Laurier is being maintained in this latest session of Parliament. The swim starts at 6:45 a.m. on Thursdays and is open to any MP or Senator of any party, said Liberal MP Anthony […]
Legislative primer: here’s what you need to know
PARLIAMENT HILL—MPs return to Ottawa after a six-week break since they met briefly in December and they finally get down to work, three months after last fall’s surprising majority election win for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals. Here’s The Hill Times’ primer on what to expect on some of the major policy files in this session. Legislative […]
Trudeau Cabinet meets ahead of ‘ambitious’ legislative winter agenda, first real test
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his 30 Cabinet ministers are meeting for a three-day retreat in New Brunswick this week to review his government’s activist agenda before Parliament returns on Monday and before the real tough test of governing begins, after winning a majority government on Oct. 19. Prime Minister Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) and his […]
Numbers on homelessness among Canadian vets just ‘tip of iceberg,’ say vets’ advocates: it’s time for action
A recent government report that found 2.7 per cent of Canada’s total homeless population using shelters are veterans is just the “tip of the iceberg” of a long-standing problem among Canadian veterans and a symptom of the government’s failure to provide sufficient support, say veterans advocates. But Canada’s Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehr (Calgary Centre, Alta.) […]
