Liberal House leader accuses Conservatives of obstruction tactics ‘without purpose,’ Opposition House leader hits back
During a legislative session unfolding in the midst of an ongoing pandemic, the ‘Freedom Convoy’ making landfall just metres outside of West Block, and a particularly rancorous Conservative Party leadership race, 14 government bills ultimately received Royal Assent during the first session of the 44th Parliament, which sat from Nov. 22 to June 23. But […]
Archibald tells AFN ‘the regional chiefs have usurped your authority’ as assembly rejects suspension
The Assembly of First Nations’ corporate structure is “a colonial structure” that needs to be replaced, said National Chief RoseAnne Archibald, as she made the case against the AFN executive’s decision to suspend her pending an investigation into allegations of bullying and harassment made by staff members. “This is being called the biggest crisis in the […]
‘That bar is pretty high’: Reform Act provides ‘counterbalance’ to party leader power despite workplace concerns raised by Rempel Garner, politicos say
Questions raised by Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner about whether the Reform Act violates workplace harassment laws or the House of Commons harassment policy are “complex and have some major uncertain legalities,” but ultimately an MP is not an employee, according to law professor Errol Mendes. Rempel Garner (Calgary Nose Hill, Alta) filed a question […]
Women’s advocacy groups to push feds for easier abortion access in Canada, fearing ‘clawed back’ reproductive rights
Standing up for improved abortion access in Canada is taking on a higher priority for women’s advocacy organizations, who are concerned recent anti-abortion momentum in the U.S. could have reverberations felt domestically. “One of the most serious concerns is that anytime those reproductive rights are clawed back elsewhere, we worry that it’s going to open […]
‘Anti-Trudeau’ movement ‘only just starting to be felt and understood politically’ despite muted Canada Day presence, say strategists, experts
In comparison to the “Freedom Convoy” that descended on Ottawa at the beginning of the year, those who marched through the nation’s capital on Canada Day were met immediately with a heavy police presence in a relatively muted atmosphere. But also unlike the events of January and February, those who demonstrated in Ottawa this time […]
Committee to weigh ‘appearance’ of political interference with government status quo in NS shooting case
Despite two weeks of difficult questions and condemnations for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of his cabinet, analysts and Liberal strategists aren’t convinced that the controversy over the alleged interference in the RCMP’s investigation of the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting is something Canadian voters are actually concerned about. While the Liberals’ political rivals […]
ACORN Canada protests Public Sector Pension Investment Board’s stakes in ‘exploitative financialized housing’
Affordable housing advocates are calling on the Public Sector Pension Investment Board, Treasury Board President Mona Fortier, and public sector unions to review the public sector pension fund’s housing assets, which they say are financing exploitative housing practices by large corporate landlords. Members of the advocacy group ACORN Canada marched to the Montreal headquarters of […]
Record-breaking lobbying activity in May focuses on environment
Environmental advocacy led the way during a record-setting May on Parliament Hill in terms of engagement with public office holders, although Canada’s innovation minister was far ahead of the environment minister when it came to the level of communication with lobbyists. “We were very, very pleased to see that we could be back on the […]
Democracy Watch and citizen advocacy groups prepare opposition to proposed Lobbyists’ Code changes
Democracy Watch says it’s gathering as many signatures as it can of organizations in opposition to rules changes proposed by the federal lobbying commissioner that would ease restrictions on lobbyists, with plans to bring the weight of public pressure to the House Ethics Committee when it reconvenes in the fall. “That’s certainly the position we’ll […]
Tempers flared in final days of Parliament due to ‘Freedom Convoy’ support and ‘pent up demand’ to keep government accountable, say MPs and politicos
Tempers ran hotter than usual as the last parliamentary session abruptly came to a close for the summer break on June 23, indicating a heightened sense of tension in Canadian politics, say some MPs and political observers. Green Party parliamentary leader Elizabeth May (Saanich-Gulf Islands, B.C.) said a more combative U.S.-style political discourse has crept […]
