No word yet on privacy commissioner appointment process, with Therrien’s term up in two weeks
Federal privacy commissioner Daniel Therrien’s term is up on June 4, and as it stands, there’s no public indication of action on an appointment process to replace him. A former public servant and lawyer, Mr. Therrien was appointed to the role for a seven-year term on June 5, 2014. As set out in the Privacy […]
Liberals play delicate balancing act in response to escalating violence in Israel and Palestine
As the Liberal government responds to escalating attacks in Palestine and Israel, it has to balance two crucial constituencies with diverging interests. In statements raising condemnation and concern for the escalation of violence and the eviction of Palestinians, the government has attempted to position itself supporting both sides of the conflict. That support for Israel […]
As more MPs signal vote against ‘vague’ anti-conversion therapy bill, Green MP Atwin calls claims ‘ridiculous’
Expect the handful of MPs who previously voted against the government’s anti-conversion therapy bill to grow when it comes to its final vote, say opposition MPs who are still unsatisfied with what they call an “overly broad” definition of the practice. Bill C-6 would change the Criminal Code to outlaw conversion therapy, making forced conversion […]
Industry reps, MP urge swift action on committee calls to help interpreters
The House Official Languages Committee has backed a number of recommendations to improve the working conditions of interpreters supporting Parliament during the shift to virtual, including unanimously urging the government to adopt a new definition of remote interpretation—changes industry reps say they hope to see acted on as soon as possible. “Parliament could be paralyzed […]
Work towards pathway for repatriation of Rohingya, urges subcommittee report
Canada should be working with its international allies to figure out a way to repatriate the displaced Rohingya in Bangladesh refugee camps back to Myanmar, recommends a new House subcommittee report. More than 750,000 Rohingya have fled Rakhine State since 2017 in the face of genocide at the hands of the Myanmar military that now […]
Billions in federal funds for housing haven’t made up for past relegation to provinces, say advocates
Social housing in Canada took a significant hit after the feds transferred the administration of such programs to the provinces in the 1990s, and the billions in federal funds allocated since—including $2.5-billion in the most recent budget—have failed to make up for the change in tack, say advocates. Community or social housing is housing subsidized […]
Liberals filibuster opposition’s call to broaden military sexual misconduct study at Defence Committee
For nearly four hours, Liberal MPs filibustered Conservative MP James Bezan’s attempt to broaden the House Defence Committee’s study into sexual misconduct in the military as yet another senior military member faces new allegations. At Tuesday’s meeting, Mr. Bezan (Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman, Man.) renewed calls for Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan’s former chief of staff, Zita Astravas, to […]
Liberals’ ‘quick fix’ to elections law in budget bill ‘unfortunate,’ but not worth going to polls over, says NDP MP Blaikie
Changes to the Canada Elections Act should not have been included in the government’s “omnibus” budget implementation bill, say some critics, while others are calling for a broader study into misinformation rather than the bill’s “quick fix” response to a court decision. Bill C-30, the federal government’s massive budget bill was introduced at first reading […]
Poll shows public supports Red Chamber reforms, say Senators, but Conservative Sen. Plett dismisses results as ‘skewed’ and ‘a waste of money’
A second poll commissioned by an Independent Senator and former pollster suggests Canadians still support changes made to the Red Chamber and its appointment process, though impressions of the institution are worsening. To some Senators, the results make it “clear as day” the reforms should continue, while a Conservative Senator called the survey questions “skewed” […]
Feds risk falling behind on science investment, say policy experts, Naylor, as U.S., U.K., Germany forging ahead
The federal government’s 2021 budget, crafted in the middle of a debilitating pandemic, saw more than $2-billion allocated for the bio-manufacturing and life-sciences sector following a year where scientific capacity played centre stage in the lives of all Canadians. But a number of science policy experts say the federal budget, the first in more than […]
