‘Not the time for weak words’: MPs, Senators with ties to Ukraine urge action against Russia
With Russia’s military advance and missile fire underway, MPs and Senators with “deep ties” to Ukraine spoke of their horror, sadness, and outrage watching the country under attack, stressing the need for immediate Canadian action in the face of a destabilizing shift in post-war order. The granddaughter of Ukrainian immigrants, Conservative Senator Denise Batters (Saskatchewan) […]
Immunocompromised can’t be left behind as COVID restrictions lift, warns Sen. Griffin
As governments across the country ease public health restrictions, advocates for people with compromised immune systems are reminding policy-makers about the increased risks to people who are especially vulnerable to COVID. P.E.I. Senator Diane Griffin said she is concerned about the possibility that governments, businesses, and most people will revert to pre-COVID habits, leaving people […]
‘No wonder we continue down this path’: Conservative, CSG Senate leaders say use of Emergencies Act stoked division
The federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act created division in an already polarized Canada, argued two Senate leaders as the Red Chamber debated approval of the powers in the hours before they were revoked by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Wednesday afternoon. Earlier that day, Canadian Senators Group Leader Scott Tannas (Alberta) told the Senate, […]
Combatting political polarization a tall order with no consensus craved, say experts
Dial down the rhetoric and turn up the volume on conversation to bridge the seemingly deepening political and community divide, say pollsters, analysts, and politicos, even if some say a consensus on the issues of vaccine mandates and the trucker protest isn’t necessarily possible. “We’ve seen for years now, declining trust in government,” said Brad […]
Attacked for betraying NDP legacy, Singh plays balancing act while supporting Emergencies Act
In supporting the invocation of the Emergencies Act, the NDP is playing a balancing act, but party insiders say it had to be done. The party is facing charges that it broke with its own history when the great majority of NDP MPs voted against the invocation of the War Measures Act during the October […]
Bloc bill seeks to protect Quebec seats as riding redraw gets underway
The Bloc Québécois has begun its push to protect Quebec’s share of seats in the House of Commons through a new private member’s bill from MP Martin Champoux, following leader Yves-François Blanchet’s vow to “unleash the fires of hell” if the province loses a seat through the now-ongoing electoral redistribution process. Tabled on Feb. 8, […]
MPs yet to take advantage of increased transparency in trade negotiation process
MPs on the House Committee for International Trade have yet to take advantage of a greater oversight role by studying three upcoming trade negotiations. International Trade Minister Mary Ng (Markham-Thornhill, Ont.) has tabled notices of intent to enter trade negotiations with the United Kingdom, Indonesia, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Trade objectives […]
Strong start for Poilievre, but room remains for other serious leadership contenders, say strategists
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre may be off to a strong start, but strategists say there’s still plenty of time for other serious contenders to emerge in the party’s upcoming leadership race, which will help define its path forward. Putting his name forward quickly was definitely a good move for Poilievre (Carleton, Ont.), said Garry Keller, […]
Public service union helped residents take back their streets as citizens grew weary of law enforcement lag
As the “Freedom Convoy” that descended on downtown Ottawa and surrounding residential streets moved into its third week, thousands of counterprotesters in the nation’s capital began pushing back, many of whom were upset with the ongoing occupation and the lack of action by police services prior to the invocation of the Emergencies Act. Alex Silas, […]
Freezing accounts tied to convoy protest ‘not retroactive,’ banks unfreezing ‘vast majority,’ says Finance official
Banks have started unfreezing the accounts marked for their suspected support of the so-called Freedom Convoy, a Finance official told MPs, who sought assurances that “terrified” convoy donors would not be targeted for their small donations before the Emergencies Act was brought into effect. The financial measures, intended to choke off the financial support of […]
