Mandatory vaccines ‘politically risky’ and ‘a last resort,’ say experts
Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said last week that he expected the provinces and territories to soon begin discussions about introducing mandatory vaccination policies as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 paralyzes parts of the country. “What we see now is that our health care system in Canada is fragile, our people are tired, and the […]
Paul Martin to talk about global turmoil; Marc Roy has a new gig; Indiescreens announced; and Philipupillai joins HT’s newsroom
On Jan. 25, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. (Eastern Time), Canada’s 21st prime minister Paul Martin, who led the country from 2003-2006, will join a conversation with former New Brunswick premier Brian Gallant to talk about “Navigating a Difficult World.” The event is meant the mark the ninth anniversary of the group running it, the venerable […]
House Finance Committee sets sights on ‘deep-seated,’ serious inflation issues as Conservative MPs press for fiscal restraint
In the face of rising inflation and supply chain shortages across the country, two Conservative MPs on the House committee overseeing budget consultations are proposing lowered fiscal spending in the upcoming federal blueprint, while a Liberal MP cautions ending financial supports for Canadians too soon would be a mistake. A Bloc Québécois MP says the […]
Local opposition to waste storage sites tests government, industry resolve on nuclear power
After more than a decade and evaluating 22 different sites across Canada, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization has narrowed its search for a long-term storage site for high-level nuclear waste down to two finalists. But with the final decision expected in 2023, NDP MP Brian Masse says its “divide-and-conquer” approach has fed local opposition that […]
‘We’ll have to put the light on it’: politicos and privacy experts urge investigation into PHAC’s collection of cellphone data
The Public Health Agency of Canada’s plan to continue using “de-identified” cellphone data to track Canadians’ pandemic travel patterns lacks transparency, accountability, and needs to be put under closer scrutiny, according to privacy experts and a Conservative and Bloc Québécois MP. Last month, the agency (PHAC) revealed that it collected and used mobility data, such […]
Holocaust distortion, glorification of Nazi collaborators must be met with Canada’s condemnation, say advocates and experts
In the face of a rising tide of anti-Semitism and Holocaust distortion, experts and advocates are calling on the Canadian government to take a strong stance against the glorification of those who were complicit in the Shoah. In recent years, there has been increased glorification of Eastern European nationalist leaders and soldiers, some of whom […]
Locked down and locked in: federal inmates face renewed isolation as COVID outbreaks sweep prisons
Facing an “isolation within isolation,” as federal prisons lockdown in the face of another wave of COVID-19 outbreaks, prisoners are caught in a state of suspension, where progress on correctional plans, and accordingly, the ability to apply for parole and be released, is halted as well, experts say. These inmates are facing up to 23 […]
Feminism on the rise in Canada, but experts say more policy action needed to match
Feminism is on the rise in Canada, according to a recent poll commissioned by Independent Senator Donna Dasko, and while gender representation within political parties is improving, concrete policy action still leaves a lot to be desired, experts say. The poll, commissioned by Dasko (Ontario) from the Environics Institute for Survey Research (related to the […]
Expect continuity in Canada’s foreign policy and national security corridors after DM shuffle: analysts
While two new principal national security and foreign policy advisers to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are starting in the Privy Council Office as part of an immense shuffle in the senior civil service, no sharp policy turns are expected. The shuffle of 18 senior public servants announced on Jan. 5—coupled with the retirement of 10 […]
Feds report $326.1-million in lost revenue, public money, property in 2020-21
The federal government reported a total of $326.1-million in lost federal revenue, public money, and public property due to fraud, accidents, or offences in 2020-21, up 34.7 per cent compared to 2019-20, according to the most recent Public Accounts. While COVID-19 played a part in some of these losses—from stolen PPE to unfulfilled procurement contracts […]
