Courts moving Canada towards granting mentally ill access to assisted dying, says Lametti
Ahead of a House vote passing the expanded assisted dying legislation, Justice Minister David Lametti says Canada was “always” moving in the “direction” of including mental illness as a sole underlying condition for eligibility. On Thursday evening, the House of Commons passed Bill C-7, in an 180-149 vote. The Liberals and Bloc Québécois were broadly […]
India’s gesture of sending vaccine supplies to Canada suggests ‘long-range view’ of relations, despite irritants
India’s apparent acquiescence to strike a deal with Canada to send two million coronavirus vaccine doses amid heightened competition and demand for vaccine supplies could create an opening to broaden dialogue between the two nations, and may suggest India has a long view of the relationship, despite long-running irritants, say experts. “India has sort of […]
Royals’ reputation hit by bombshell Oprah interview, but opening Constitution a ‘Pandora’s box,’ say experts
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s bombshell interview delivered a reputational blow to the family occupying Buckingham Palace, but it is unlikely to lead to any constitutional changes in Canada’s relationship with the monarchy, say some royal observers and experts. Carolyn Harris, a historian and royal commentator with the University of Toronto, said Queen Elizabeth II’s […]
Ontario court sentences military reservist who breached Rideau Hall to six years in prison
A Manitoba Canadian Army veteran was sentenced to six years in prison for driving his truck through the gates of Rideau Hall in search of the prime minister, a politically motivated attack that he had not shown any remorse for, says an Ontario court justice. In a decision issued Wednesday over Zoom, Ontario Court of […]
Arctic a ‘game-changer’ in Canada-U.S. relationship as region becomes security priority
Canada’s knowledge of and ability to operate in the Arctic is a “game-changer” for its relationship with the United States as the region remains one of the country’s top security threats and as “the last domain” targeted by both Russia and China, says Canada’s top defence official. Discussions about North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) […]
Feds urged to boost electric vehicle incentive program, allow used cars to qualify
Experts and stakeholders are urging the federal government to not only top up the electric vehicle incentive program, but also expand the eligibility criteria to allow used vehicles to qualify so lower-income Canadians can better take advantage of the program. “There’s a ton of evidence electric vehicle [EV] incentives are effective at driving the adoption […]
Digital disruption: how heckling has changed in a hybrid Parliament
Heckling has long been a part of the parliamentary process. But the shift to hybrid sittings has changed how MPs heckle, in ways that are not necessarily better. The House moved to a full sitting format that mixes virtual attendees with physical ones back in September. Though the hybrid agreement lapsed with the adjournment of […]
‘This is the new order, don’t be shy’: Indigenous advisory group charts new path for Canada Energy Regulator
The Canada Energy Regulator’s Indigenous Advisory Committee will provide “clarity” on how to approach consulting and working with Indigenous communities to any industry that has found itself in conflict with those communities in the past over energy project development, says the interim chairperson of the new body. “This is the new order, don’t be shy,” […]
Amid COVID-19, grieving support bill ‘really hit home’ for MPs, says Jeneroux
After a year marked by loss, a private member’s bill aimed at extending the time some Canadians can take off after the death of a loved one has garnered “unprecedented” cross-partisan support and co-operation. Bill C-220, first introduced by Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux (Edmonton Riverbend, Alta.) in February 2020 and reinstated in September after the […]
When will the world see Canada’s grounded top diplomat in person?
Three months into his new cabinet role as Canada’s top diplomat, Marc Garneau has yet to embark outside the Canadian border amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. International trips are a common practice for foreign affairs ministers as they build diplomatic links and strengthen Canada’s global standing. In place of foreign travel, Mr. Garneau (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce-Westmount, Que.) […]
