Charest campaign yet again denies Harper is against former Quebec premier’s leadership campaign bid
Media reports continue to suggest that Stephen Harper will oppose Jean Charest’s Conservative leadership election bid, but a senior strategist for the former Quebec premier’s campaign strenuously denies the stories, arguing that the former prime minister will not influence the outcome of the leadership election. “I will believe it when I see it,” said Michael […]
What’s up with gas? Explaining the global and local politics behind the price at the pump
In the wake of rising oil and gas prices, Conservative politicians have been urging the government to decrease its dependence on oil imports and ramp up Canadian production, but Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says the opposition is “playing politics.” Gas prices have been climbing steadily for months now, but in the last two weeks, Canadians […]
Canada’s push for Russian accountability at the ICC faces an uphill battle
As Canada joins the chorus of support for the International Criminal Court’s investigation of possible war crimes committed by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine, the probe is unlikely to deter Russian action with little means for the world bench to hold Moscow to account. Along with 38 other member states of the International Criminal […]
Convoy support could help Poilievre’s leadership bid, but populist support can cut both ways
He was first off the mark to declare his candidacy for the federal Conservative Party and has been polling well among Tory supporters, but Ottawa-area MP Pierre Poilievre’s climb to the party’s pinnacle could face not only new challengers in the race—most notably from former federal Progressive Conservative leader Jean Charest—but pushback from his own […]
Pandemic measures easing in House Precinct, public allowed back starting in April
The House of Commons will once again be open to visitors next month, as part of a broader easing of measures introduced nearly two years ago to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the Parliamentary Precinct. House Speaker Anthony Rota (Nipissing-Timiskaming, Ont.) announced the changes on March 10, saying the Commons Board of Internal Economy, […]
Anti-corruption advocates call on feds to expedite registry tracking dirty money, warn 2025 target too far off
MPs, Senators, and anti-corruption advocates are urging the federal government to speed up plans to set up a national beneficial ownership registry, to make it more difficult for Canada to be used as a place to park dirty money. The U.K. government has fast-tracked similar legislation through its Parliament, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson citing […]
Justice Committee review of sex work law underscores ongoing ideological clash
As the House Justice Committee wraps up its review of the country’s laws surrounding sex work, partisan divides remain entrenched. Conservatives express support for the existing act as a means to stop sex trafficking, which exploitation advocates argue is necessary, while a Liberal MP says they’re looking for balance on a piece of legislation sex […]
With calls to remove ambassadors, Canada risks curbing response to Russian invasion
As the Conservative Party urges the federal government to cut ambassadorial ties with Russia, the move could hamper Canada’s ability to respond to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, say current and former diplomats. Ottawa’s diplomatic response to the crisis has already been weakened with its mission in Ukraine being forced to operate out of Poland due […]
Conservatives, Bloc cite interpreter challenges to push for end to hybrid sittings
Amid continued discussion of the challenges, and injuries, being experienced by interpreters covering events with remote participants, Conservative Whip Blaine Calkins, backed by his Bloc Québécois counterpart, is calling for an early end to the House of Commons’ hybrid sitting arrangement. During the House Board of Internal Economy’s (BOIE) March 3 meeting, Calkins (Red Deer-Lacombe, […]
Basic income could help tackle some roots of extremism, but not all, experts say
Two Parliamentarians seeking to bring about a guaranteed liveable basic income in Canada are calling for the Emergencies Act committee to consider the benefits of such a system in addressing extremism as part of its upcoming review—something experts and advocates say could help, to some degree. In a joint Feb. 28 press release from NDP […]
