Journal from isolation: what happens now?

In hindsight, I chose a poor time to take a vacation. My wife and I flew to a resort in Cancun, Mexico, on the morning of March 10, to get some much-needed R&R while my parents watched our children, aged four and (almost) two. As we packed our bags the evening before we left, the […]
Feds asking travellers from abroad to self-identify coronavirus symptoms amid concerns over screening efforts

Canada’s border services officers are now asking travellers arriving in Canada from abroad to declare whether they have any of the symptoms associated with coronavirus and to self-isolate for at least 14 days upon arrival. In a tweet Monday morning, the Canadian Border Services Agency announced “new enhanced measures” that would be in place at […]
Trudeau facing ‘confluence of extremely challenging problems’ in ‘unprecedented’ situation, say pollsters

The daunting set of challenges for the Trudeau government in the first few months of its second mandate—the downing of Ukrainian Flight 752 by an Iranian missile that killed all 176 onboard including 57 Canadians, the Wet’suwet’en solidarity blockades, the coronavirus pandemic crisis, the meltdown in equity markets potentially leading to a recession, the cancellation […]
Chinese envoy calls on Canada to take ‘concrete steps’ to resolve Meng extradition issue

China’s ambassador in Ottawa says Canada needs to take “concrete steps” to improve the Canadian-Chinese relationship, but would not say if China shares that responsibility. In an interview at the Chinese embassy on March 12, Cong Peiwu said Canada should “address” the case of detained Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou and when that “outstanding issue” is […]
‘It’s a lot of work’: Conservative leadership candidates scrambling to meet final race entry deadline

With the clock ticking for all interested candidates to meet the requirements to be officially approved for the Conservative leadership contest, candidates are scrambling and pulling out all the stops to raise $300,000 and secure 3,000 signatures from party members by March 25. “Well, clearly, it’s a lot of work,” said Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu […]
Coronavirus pandemic shuts down Parliament Hill, all committee travel, parliamentary functions cancelled

PARLIAMENT HILL—From cancelling town halls to abandoning work trips to suspending Parliament until April, the threat of coronavirus has upended federal politicians’ plans and social interactions, forcing them to retreat from many of their engagements as the world grapples with the unpredictable fallout of the pandemic and the prime minister works from home for the […]
Reeling from oil price war, pandemic fears, Kenney says Alberta will press Ottawa for relief measures

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney called for politicians to “park our parochial and partisan interests” on Thursday, while offering a preview of the measures his government will be petitioning Ottawa for as his province contends with the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. Amid the rapidly evolving situation around the coronavirus outbreak, which forced the cancellation of […]
Interparliamentary group puts freeze on international travel amid coronavirus fears

The body responsible for approving parliamentary associations’ trips has decided to put a freeze on international travel plans for the coming months as fears grow over the spread of the coronavirus. In a press release on Wednesday, the Joint Interparliamentary Council, which has both Senators and MPs as members, said that it has ordered a […]
Canada ‘very far’ from quarantining measures, says Trudeau, as feds announce $1-billion coronavirus fund

PARLIAMENT HILL—The federal government announced a $1-billion fund Wednesday aimed at mitigating the spread of the coronavirus. Speaking to reporters assembled in the National Press Theatre, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) said, “We have a responsibility to make sure Canada is ready for all scenarios.” The package of measures includes $500-million in support to […]
Deadline looms for low-profile CPC candidates, who say party needs more fresh faces and ideas

The Conservative Party needs a new face, fresh ideas, and to stop rehashing old feuds, according to some of the lesser-known leadership candidates who say the frontrunners, former cabinet ministers Peter MacKay and Erin O’Toole, are operating by the old playbook. Beyond Mr. MacKay, Mr. O’Toole (Durham, Ont.), and two-term Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu (Sarnia—Lambton, […]