Liberal leadership speculation a distraction, Trudeau should shut it down firmly, say Liberal MPs, political insiders, and pollsters
If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is definitely planning to lead his party in the next election, he should put an end to the speculation about the leadership election, or it could become a serious distraction for the government at a time when the country is dealing with the serious health and economic challenges of COVID, […]
House sitting ‘make or break’ for O’Toole’s leadership, say Conservatives
Conservative MPs, former senior Tories, and political insiders view the upcoming House sitting to be a litmus test for Erin O’Toole’s leadership. If he survives until the summer recess, it will be harder for his opponents to bring him down after that point and he will most likely lead his party in the next election, […]
National housing strategy investments ‘not enough’ to increase housing supply, says CMHC
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s president says its latest housing market assessment shows the Canadian housing market has reached a “very high degree of volatility.” “The main problem is that supply is not keeping pace with housing demand and [Canada] has the fastest population growth of any G7 nation,” Romy Bowers, CMHC’s president and […]
In defiance of O’Toole, Saskatchewan MPs vote to back Batters in regional caucus: source
The Conservative Party’s Saskatchewan caucus voted Thursday night to stand behind Senator Denise Batters staying in the regional group, a source says, months after leader Erin O’Toole booted Batters from the national caucus in November. In a special meeting on Jan. 20, the 14-member Saskatchewan regional caucus voted in favour of Batters, according to a […]
Ottawa on the hook for $4-billion tied to abandoned mines’ cleanup in the North
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada is responsible for $4-billion in environmental liabilities for mines abandoned by private operators in the territories, according to the federal government’s public accounts for 2020-21. This figure represents the amount required to bring 162 contaminated sites back up to current minimum environmental standards. But in extreme cases the remediation […]
‘Against the flow’: critics question move by Canada’s Pension Plan Investment fund to keep supporting big polluters
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, which manages an investment fund of approximately $541.5-billion for more than 20 million contributors and beneficiaries of the CPP, is making both an ethical and financial mistake, according to one Bloc MP, by continuing to invest in high-emitting businesses as long as those businesses commit to decarbonizing over the […]
Lobbyists concerned potential rule changes could hinder volunteer opportunities in campaigns
Lobbyists are raising red flags in the wake of proposed changes to the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct, which they say could restrict their ability to volunteer in even minor roles on political campaigns during elections. “There are bad apples in any profession, and so it’s no different in our profession. There has to be a […]
‘In a perfect storm right now’: labour supply, record immigration complicate daunting housing supply problem, say experts
The minister responsible for tackling the country’s twin problems of housing affordability and supply is staring down “a bit of a perfect storm right now” as Canada grapples with a combination of construction labour shortages, ongoing supply chain issues, and record levels of new immigrants, says the head of a provincial builders’ association. Minister of […]
‘We should respect each other’: South Africa says notification not given before travel ban imposed
It’s not just the decision to implement a controversial travel ban on southern African nations, which since has been revoked, but the way in which Canada went about announcing the plan, that irked South Africa’s envoy in Ottawa. Outgoing South African High Commissioner Sibongiseni Dlamini-Mntambo said she learned that Ottawa was imposing the ban not […]
Three years on, Canada delays naming an ambassador to the Holy See
More than three years after Canada’s last full-fledged ambassador to the Holy See left his post, Ottawa has yet to name a replacement. The lack of appointment has led to the diplomatic posting becoming one of Canada’s longest vacancies without a new ambassador. The prolonged vacancy comes at the same time as the Liberal government […]
