Unprecedented federal deficits sustainable in short term, say economists, but ‘exit ramp,’ post-pandemic planning needed now
With an anticipated federal deficit of more than $250-billion this year, the largest projected budgetary deficit on record, some economists say that emergency spending at this level may be sustainable in the short-term, but there is likely more spending to come—and that it’s still too early to judge the future state of the economy now […]
Senate oversight committees aim to start meeting this week
The two Senate committees overseeing the government’s COVID-19 response are aiming to begin meeting virtually this week, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals continue to roll out a relief effort that the parliamentary budget officer says will likely push Canada’s deficit above $250-billion this year alone. The Senate Finance Committee is planning to begin its […]
Ongoing intergovernmental cooperation ‘crucial’ to economic recovery as provinces reopen, say MPs, policy experts
As provincial economies across the country inch closer to reopening after weeks of COVID-19 restrictions, close cooperation between all three levels of government will be critical to Canada’s economic revival, according to MPs and public policy experts, with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities calling for billions of dollars of federal support for cities and communities […]
Ballistic tracing, tougher penalties, joint operations key to slowing cross-border gun smuggling, say former top cops
Ballistic tracing, joint-force operations, and tougher penalties for smugglers are some of the ways Canada can stem the flow of illegal guns across its border with the U.S., say two former police chiefs now sitting in the Senate. The Liberal government has pledged once again to crack down on cross-border gun smuggling as part of […]
‘Silent good’: PHAC appropriate body for pandemic response, but needs reliable resources and more power, say experts
The Public Health Agency of Canada, which is currently navigating the country through the COVID-19 pandemic, is best positioned to lead the national response to pandemics, but health experts and Parliamentarians say it needs more resources and more power in order to deal more effectively with future pandemics. PHAC, created in 2004 under the auspices […]
With political fundraising mostly suspended, some MPs floating idea of reviving per-vote subsidy
While the country is reeling from the health and economic hardships due to COVID-19, MPs say political fundraising will be a tough challenge in the coming months and some are floating the idea of reviving the per-vote subsidy to help deal with the loss of revenue and to keep it in place going forward. “The only […]
Trudeau announces immediate prohibition on 1,500 ‘military-grade assault weapons’
The Liberal government is introducing an immediate ban on 1,500 models and variants of assault-style weapons, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday. Addressing reporters on Friday in the West Block, Mr. Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) said that the government is closing the market to “military-grade” firearms, making it illegal to buy, sell, import, or use these […]
Government will accelerate rural broadband funds, details to come ‘soon,’ says Monsef
As COVID-19 has put a spotlight on the internet access problem in Canada’s rural and remote areas, the federal government and some provinces are working on measures to help speed up rollouts. Maryam Monsef (Peterborough-Kawartha, Ont.), minister for women and gender equality and rural economic development, said in an interview that the federal government will […]
Parliaments using different platforms for different business, PROC hears
MPs tasked with studying the feasibility of holding virtual proceedings during the COVID-19 pandemic will have to weigh the pros and cons of using different platforms, according to international parliamentary experts. Different parliaments around the world have opted for different video-conferencing platforms, such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or a mixture of both, as per their […]
Feds should push for more accountability on Rohingya crisis, as it eyes UN Security Council seat, say former justice ministers
Canada’s push to secure a seat on the UN Security Council will help it advocate for more accountability from the Myanmar military in its actions against Rohingya Muslims, say former Parliamentarians and advocates, but that should not stop the government from supporting existing efforts or pursuing its own. Having the Security Council take up the […]
