China sanctioned a House of Commons committee—now what?
The Chinese government has sanctioned a House of Commons subcommittee, and no one seems to know precisely what that means. China’s foreign ministry announced on March 27 that it was imposing sanctions on Canadian and U.S. officials. The move was a retaliation to sanctions imposed by Canada, the U.S., and the U.K. earlier that week […]
An ‘assault-plus’: MP, Senator urge action amid rise in hate crimes predating pandemic
A British Columbia MP and a Senator are calling on Ottawa to send a “strong message” to ensure hate crimes are properly tracked, investigated, and prosecuted in the wake of a seven per cent rise in these crimes reported to police, and early data suggesting this is just a ripple compared to a pandemic-related surge […]
Senate committees up and running after long wait
The Senate has authorized its committees to begin meeting regularly and studying any issues related to their general mandate for the three months remaining before Parliament breaks for the summer. Senators agreed during a March 30 sitting to adopt a report from the Senate Selection Committee that laid out a schedule of regular, all-virtual meetings […]
Trudeau Liberals surge ahead over Conservatives, as O’Toole’s favourability dips across the spectrum, poll suggests
The Trudeau Liberals are surging ahead of the Conservatives, with the governing party widening its lead as the national immunization campaign picks up, according to a new Abacus Data survey released Thursday. The survey shared exclusively with The Hill Times suggested that 38 per cent of Canadians would back the Liberals, if an election were […]
Budget watchdog says economic outlook ‘significantly’ improved, but feds’ stimulus plan may be off the mark
Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux predicts the economy could rebound to pre-pandemic levels without the feds’ proposed stimulus package, which could run up to $100-billion, according to a report released Wednesday. That money, first teased in the feds’ fall economic statement, is expected to be fleshed out in the April 19 budget. Without details on […]
BOIE gives OK for MPs to mail constituents abroad, slate of new post-election transition measures
Members of Parliament are now able to send mailings to constituents living abroad, one of a series of rule changes recently approved by the House Board of Internal Economy. The change comes following a request made by an unnamed MP, which prompted the House of Commons administration to look into potential policies to allow MPs […]
‘Game changer’ active transportation fund needs to address pre- and post-COVID gaps: MPs, stakeholders
The federal government’s newly announced money for active transportation projects is partially a response to a spike in demand caused by COVID-19 restrictions, says the minister in charge, while stakeholders say it’s also a long-overdue investment. The National Active Transportation fund has earmarked $400-million to be spent over five years on active transportation projects, which […]
‘They have interfered with the privileges of Parliament’: Foreign Affairs Committee calls on Global Affairs to provide non-redacted documents
MPs are once again calling for government documents requested by a House committee to not be blacked out in advance. For its study on arms exports, MPs on the Foreign Affairs Committee supported a motion to have Global Affairs submit documents on behalf of itself, the office of the foreign affairs minister, the Prime Minister’s […]
New contract for freelance interpreters slated for April release
New contract terms for federal freelance interpreters will be published in April, according to Public Services and Procurement Canada. Contract terms proposed by the department last year led the International Association of Conference Interpreters’ (AIIC) Canadian branch to raise the alarm, with rep Nicole Gagnon, who herself works as a freelance interpreter on Parliament Hill, […]
Drug use isn’t an issue ‘we can arrest ourselves out of,’ says Senator Boniface
Drug use is not an issue “we can arrest ourselves out of,” says Ontario ISG Senator Gwen Boniface, who recently tabled a public bill aimed in part at decriminalizing the possession of illegal substances for personal use, echoing comments she heard from a front-line officer as part of her efforts on the file. Spurred on […]
