The many reflections of Pierre Poilievre
Described by political strategists both as “no bullshit” and as spouting bullshit, there’s no denying that Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre is a prominent and divisive figure as a finance critic, figurehead for criticism of the Liberals, and according to some, a person who would have a good shot at the party’s leadership. Poilievre was first […]
Bill targeting mandatory minimums doesn’t go far enough for some, too far for others
The federal government’s recently resurrected effort to scrap many mandatory minimum sentences is garnering criticism from left and right alike, but most experts agree that some progress here, if imperfect, is better than nothing. Justice Minister David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, Que.) introduced Bill C-5, a reiteration of Bill C-22 from the previous Parliament, in the House […]
Feds dive deeper into NAFTA playbook with retaliatory trade threats over looming EV tax credit
With Canada threatening the U.S. with retaliatory tariffs and the suspension of some concessions agreed to in the new NAFTA, it’s back to the old playbook for the federal government. On Dec. 10, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland (University-Rosedale, Ont.) and International Trade Minister Mary Ng (Markham-Thornhill, Ont.) sent a letter to […]
‘We need fairness, we need equity’: striking workers at AG’s office call on feds to implement wage grid
On strike for two-and-a-half weeks now, more than 160 employees in the Audit Services Group working at the Office of the Auditor General are calling on the government to address pay equity issues and establish a wage grid that would bring them in line with comparable groups within the public service. The group, which is […]
BOIE gives House green light to hire eight new committee support staff
With a new standing committee in the mix this Parliament, and committee activity otherwise on the rise year over year, House administration has the green light to hire eight new clerks and technical staff to support the work of committees. Following push back from Conservatives at the House Board of Internal Economy (BOIE), five of […]
Afghan Special Committee helps keep evacuation in much-needed spotlight: retired major-general
With the launch of a new House Special Committee on Afghanistan, veterans of Canada’s contribution to the Central Asian nation hope that the group spotlights vulnerable Afghans who are still trying to find safety after the Taliban takeover. The Special Committee that was formed with opposition support had its first meeting on Dec. 13, during […]
Feds pledge billions to ‘finish the fight’ against COVID as fiscal update projects deficit at $144.5-billion
With the country now projected to face a deficit of $144.5-billion, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the slightly-better outlook than offered in the last budget shows Canada is entering a “final pivot” to “finish the fight against COVID-19” as Ottawa earmarks billions in “very carefully targeted” spending. In a 96-page document released Tuesday, Freeland (University-Rosedale, […]
Politics This Morning: Freeland’s fall update coming this p.m.
Good Tuesday morning, Finance Minister CHRYSTIA FREELAND will deliver the government’s fall economic (fiscal?) statement (update?)…Whatever it’s called this year, she will be giving it at 4 p.m. in the House of Commons today. There may not be a lot of new spending in there: some politicos who spoke to Politics This Morning earlier this […]
‘A crisis of broken trust:’ defence minister apologizes to victims of military sexual misconduct for repeated federal failures, and promises ‘deep and transformational’ culture change
Successive governments have failed to “stamp out” the “scourge” of sexual misconduct in the military’s ranks that has led to the suffering of “countless” veterans and members and has tarnished the institution’s moral authority, according to Defence Minister Anita Anand Anand. During the Dec. 13 formal apology on behalf of Canada, Anand (Oakville, Ont.) repeatedly […]
Opposition parties ‘carefully reviewing’ proposal to end standoff over Winnipeg lab documents
Opposition parties are back to weighing their options to resolve a standoff with the Liberal government, following a failed bid in the House last week to resurrect an order demanding the release of secret documents related to the firing of two scientists from Canada’s highest-security infectious disease laboratory at the beginning of the year. “New […]
