O’Toole’s pivot to the centre and carbon pricing calculated risks to win next election, say pollsters
By introducing policies like carbon pricing and pivoting to the political centre, Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole is taking a calculated risk to expand and build his party’s winning coalition for the next election, but it remains to be seen if this will pay off at the polls, say pollsters. “He’s made a big gamble,” said […]
Billions for pensioners gets all-party support, but seniors hold highest net worth
The government’s 2021 budget promised billions for seniors, and opposition MPs are calling for more, but data from Statistics Canada suggests that not all seniors need the help. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s (University-Rosedale, Ont.) first budget set aside $12-billion over five years to increase payments to seniors over the age of 75 through the Old […]
Economists applaud BoC’s decision to pare back QE, with economic recovery en route
Canada’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 recession is exceeding expectations so far, according to some of Canada’s top economists, who say that the Bank of Canada’s recent decision to taper its first-ever foray into quantitative easing is a necessary step in the right direction. More work needs to be done in the months ahead to […]
Hajdu says feds ‘won’t hesitate to replace’ COVID-19 testing contractor amid complaints
Health Minister Patty Hajdu had some choice words for a Toronto company the feds struck a deal with to analyze COVID-19 tests for returning travellers to Canada—a group for which there have been more than 180 complaints filed so far. Speaking to the House Health Committee on Friday, Ms. Hajdu (Thunder Bay-Superior North, Ont.) acknowledged […]
Feds’ measures to address sexual misconduct have been ‘inadequate,’ says Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says government measures to combat sexual misconduct in the military over many years have all been inadequate, and that a review is necessary to determine what “formalized, powerful processes” will be sufficient to “transform” military culture. Mr. Trudeau’s (Papineau, Que.) comments during his regular Friday presser come one day after Defence […]
StatsCan still on hunt for local enumerators in rural, remote areas
Canada’s national statistics agency says it’s still on the lookout for local enumerators in rural and remote areas to help administer the upcoming census, which is days away, a reflection of some of the challenges it’s had to anticipate and adjust for due to the worsening pandemic. Statistics Canada had to shift its approach, putting […]
Sajjan pledges external reporting system for military sexual misconduct, but says review must come first
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says the Liberals will create an external reporting system for military members subjected to sexual misconduct that will be independent of both the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence—but adds more review is needed to fulfil the longstanding request from victims in order to “get it right.” Former […]
‘Didn’t feel right’ to staff committee meetings, Senators say, citing ‘grim’ Ontario COVID cases for two-week cancellation
The Senate leaders last week agreed to halt all committee meetings, save for National Finance for at least two weeks, citing staff safety amid “grim” numbers as Ontario tightened restrictions to stem a record COVID-19 third wave. Canadian Senators Group Leader Scott Tannas (Alberta) said the groups were “in tune” with the April 21 decision […]
‘Impulsive decision’ to share nude photo is ‘precedent setting,’ says strategist
While Parliamentarians inadvertently getting caught on camera may be “bound to happen” during virtual House proceedings, the incident involving Liberal MP Will Amos sets a precedent for how Hillites react in such moments, say some observers. In an affair that caught international headlines this month, Mr. Amos (Pontiac, Que.) appeared nude in a screenshot circulated […]
Joel Etienne wins Tory nomination in York Centre
Joel Etienne will be the Conservative Party’s candidate in York Centre, Ont., in the next election, after winning a nomination contest for the riding early this week. Mr. Etienne defeated Julius Tiangson in the nomination election, which was conducted online. Voting took place from April 25 to 27. York Centre is located in the northern […]
