‘Data, privacy, trade’: ministers tasked with AI file contending with fast, fundamental changes
From new ice forecasting techniques that help improve shipping safety in northern waters, to new tools involved with the reclamation of ancient Indigenous languages, to social media “chatbots” that respond to general questions about immigration and citizenship, the Canadian government is increasingly turning toward automated tools to solve tough problems, improve predictions, and cut down […]
Collaborate and listen: Bloc Québécois hopes to leverage minority Parliament dynamics to make mark
The 2019 election saw the Bloc Québécois’ caucus increase three-fold, elevating it to third-party standing and recognized status in the House, and the team is looking to “leverage” its new circumstances to make a mark in this Parliament, according to the deputy House leader. “The fact that it’s a minority Parliament, we have more leverage […]
AFN national chief Bellegarde calls on ‘all parties’ to find peaceful resolution to rail blockades
PARLIAMENT HILL—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cancelled his Caribbean trip amid criticism over his handling of the anti-pipeline blockades that have shut down large swaths of Canada’s railways, but Indigenous leaders say it’s up to all parties to engage constructively to find a peaceful resolution. “Even amongst the Wet’suwet’en people themselves, they have an obligation themselves […]
House Finance Committee chair warns against big budget spending, as consultations wrap
MPs on the House Finance Committee should be “very careful” not to push for big government spending, says the chair Liberal MP Wayne Easter, as the committee wraps up its pre-budget consultations this week. “I really do believe that we have to be very, very conscious of meeting the government’s target of keeping the debt-to-GDP […]
Down 20 rural seats, Liberals go back to the well on gun control
The Liberals are doubling down on gun control in the minority 43rd Parliament, despite losing most of their vulnerable rural ridings in last fall’s election after passing controversial gun control legislation. An analysis by The Hill Times found the Liberals won 20 fewer rural or partly rural ridings in October than they did in 2015, […]
Trade Committee Conservatives push for six additional House committees to study new NAFTA implementation bill
Conservatives on the House International Trade Committee are pushing for six other House committees to study the implementation bill for the new NAFTA and to submit amendments by early April. Conservative MP Colin Carrie (Oshawa, Ont.) forwarded a motion on Feb. 5 to have the House Committees of Agriculture and Agri-Food; Industry, Science and Technology; […]
Senior Conservatives seething over Conservative Fund’s refusal to share Scheer’s $700,000 over-budget expense details with national council
Some senior Conservatives are seething with anger over the powerful and unelected Conservative Fund’s refusal to share details with the national council of Andrew Scheer’s $700,000-over-budget office expenses last year, saying the lack of transparency is resulting in gossip affecting the leader’s credibility and the party’s ability to raise funds. “This is a strange situation,” […]
‘No question’ feds have duty to start talks, says AFN’s Bellegarde, after days-long demonstrations in support of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde says he is “heartened” to see the federal government is stepping in to meet with First Nations leaders who are standing in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs and who oppose the construction of a $6-billion natural gas pipeline running through northwestern British Columbia because he says Ottawa is […]
Conservative Party to protect all 121 incumbent MPs from nomination challenges until June 2021
All 121 Conservative MPs will be protected from nomination challenges if a federal election is held before June 2021, and MPs are urging the party to take the expiry date off that protection so they can focus on their work in Ottawa during this minority Parliament. “National council has been in discussions on nomination rules […]
Oka Crisis veteran says feds have ‘lost control’ of country-wide solidarity protest in support of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs
Ottawa’s offer to meet with some of those standing in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en nation in its opposition to a natural gas pipeline signals the government’s efforts to avoid a similar conflict to the Oka Crisis, says one Mohawk scholar who witnessed the summer 1990 dispute firsthand. Speaking to The Hill Times on Feb. 13, […]
