Speedy delivery of financial benefits to Canadians key to Trudeau’s handling of COVID-19, says a leading pollster
Canadians will judge Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s performance on the COVID-19 pandemic crisis based on how quickly the federal government can deliver benefits to the people, says a leading pollster. “There will be a high level of impatience with how fast they [government support initiatives] can be implemented,” said Nik Nanos, chief data scientist and […]
Senate leaders point fingers as deal to oversee government COVID-19 spending falls apart
Senate leaders are laying blame on each other after a motion to create two committees to oversee the government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis was shut down in the Chamber on March 25. Senators voted not to allow the introduction of a motion by Independent Senators Group Leader Yuen Pau Woo (British Columbia) that, if […]
‘More of a social work role’: MPs on balancing constituency work with emotions of electorate during COVID-19
Some MPs and constituency staffers are balancing the need to share fast-moving daily updates on the government’s relief measures with reassuring and helping stressed-out constituents amid the pandemic. Green MP Jenica Atwin (Fredericton, N.B.) said in a phone interview Friday that she and her team have been carrying the “heavy burden” of keeping voters informed […]
Federal lobbyists registry sees crop of new COVID-19 filings, as groups grapple with pandemic
Since mid-March, more than 35 organizations have updated their federal lobbying filings, signalling plans to have a say in the government’s evolving coronavirus response, with some offering help and others urging action as the crisis threatens to devastate companies and industries. There have been 57 new or updated filings added to the federal registry that […]
Canada’s chief public health officers take centre stage amid COVID-19 crisis
Chief public health officers across the country now have a public profile never before seen in this country, thanks to their position as the scientific and medical voices of reason during the COVID-19 crisis. Federal officers such as Dr. Theresa Tam and Dr. Howard Njoo, and provincial chief doctors, including British Columbia’s Dr. Bonnie Henry […]
Trump administration’s proposal to deploy troops to border could damage bilateral relationship, says Freeland
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland pushed back on Thursday against the Trump administration’s proposal to deploy troops near the Canada-U.S border amid the COVID-19 pandemic, saying there is no public health justification to militarize the area. Speaking to reporters Thursday afternoon at the government’s daily briefing with reporters, Ms. Freeland (University-Rosedale, Ont.) said Ottawa “strongly […]
Ottawa should trigger Emergencies Act amid COVID-19 crisis, says retired general and former Liberal Andrew Leslie
The federal government should use the Emergencies Act to start coordinating a cross-country response to the COVID-19 crisis, says Andrew Leslie, the former commander of Canada’s Army and MP who served as the Liberal government’s chief whip for part of the last Parliament. The Emergencies Act, last revised in 1988, gives the federal government broad […]
Unhappy with some of committee’s decisions, Conservative Party’s powerful national council could take over leadership process, say senior Conservative sources
The Conservative Party’s powerful national council could take the reins from the leadership organizing committee in setting the process for the race due to some of the controversies over the committee’s decisions, say senior Conservative sources. Sources familiar with behind-the-scenes conversations among national councillors have told The Hill Times that the appointed Leadership Election Organizing […]
Parties, politicos split on fundraising approach in era of COVID-19
As the federal government continues to roll out relief measures in response to the growing number of COVID-19 cases, political parties are adapting their approach to fundraising by either suspending activities or reconsidering their appeals, and politicos remain split on whether efforts should be halted. In response to the outbreak, the Liberal Party has suspended […]
COVID-19 relief aid for affected workers to come week of April 6, says Morneau
Finance Minister Bill Morneau says those who lack the financial resources and support to weather the pandemic and have been temporarily laid off can expect to receive the first flow of aid in a little over a week’s time. Speaking at press conference on the Hill, Mr. Morneau (Toronto Centre, Ont.) said those who qualify […]
