Federal silence on Wet’suwet’en tensions a ‘worrisome’ sign of faltering Liberal push on reconciliation, say advocates
As the new Wet’suwet’en blockade enters its fourth week, some advocates say the tensions are revealing gaps in the Liberal reconciliation effort, laying bare the need for new models of Indigenous self governance and respect for land rights. Rose LeMay, CEO of the Indigenous Reconciliation Group, says she’s been “cringing” as she watches the federal […]
Don’t go down ‘rabbit hole’ in Trade Committee’s study of new NAFTA implementation bill, warn trade experts
As the bill to implement the new NATFA moves towards a committee study, trade experts warn against a marathon review of the pact, which they say could lead to greater uncertainty for the Canadian economy. A bill to implement the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)—known as the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) north of the border—will be […]
Newfoundlanders struggling from historic storm in need of federal funds, MPs say
In the aftermath of the biggest blizzard to hit Newfoundland and Labrador in half a century, propelling its capital into a state of emergency, the province’s MPs say the blizzard revealed its resident’s resilience, but the federal government will need to step up for those hardest hit. NDP MP Jack Harris (St. John’s East, N.L.) […]
Revamping Centre Block: virtual tools, new levels of collaboration put to use
Four times larger than the West Block renovation project, the mission to revamp the Centre Block building—and build a new underground facility alongside it—is no small feat, and to tackle it, officials have introduced new technologies and levels of collaboration. It’s a “complex project on multiple levels,” said Jennifer Garrett, director general of the Centre […]
PM convenes Incident Response Group, as feds, provinces ramp-up co-ordinated response to coronavirus
Canada’s co-ordinated response to the novel coronavirus that has so far killed more than 100 in China ramped-up dramatically this week, with a new special advisory committee announced the same day Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convened Canada’s Incident Response Group to discuss the outbreak. The developments have occurred in the midst of one confirmed case […]
Speaker Rota unveils suggestion box, calls on MPs to pitch improvements to House
House Speaker Anthony Rota unveiled a suggestion box on Tuesday near his office in West Block, an idea he adopted after it was proposed by a Conservative MP. Conservative MP Dan Albas (Okanagan-Coquihalla, B.C.), who joined Mr. Rota (Nipissing-Timiskaming, Ont.) in the unveiling, said he had pitched the idea last year to the Speaker when […]
Conservative MP hopes committee’s briefing on coronavirus offers measure of comfort amid fears of outbreak in Canada
With the House Health Committee set to receive a briefing on the government’s response to coronavirus on Wednesday afternoon, one Conservative MP is hoping the meeting will bring a sense of “comfort” for those with questions about Ottawa’s efforts to prevent an outbreak in Canada. Speaking to The Hill Times, Matt Jeneroux (Edmonton Riverbend, Alta.), […]
Feds underestimate revenue loss from tax cuts, PBO says
Ottawa has underestimated the cost of its tax cut by nearly $1-billion, according to a new estimate of the government’s released by Canada’s parliamentary budget officer. In a report released Jan. 28, the PBO estimated that the Liberals’ campaign promise to lower taxes for nearly 20 million Canadians, which took effect Jan. 1, will see […]
Sen. Kutcher says transparency critical, in advising feds on assisting families of Flight 752 victims
In the wake of a national tragedy, political leaders and officials should exhibit transparency and refrain from imposing preconceived notions about what victims’ families may need as they grapple with their grief, says ISG Senator Stan Kutcher, a mental health expert who’s been appointed by the prime minister to advise the government’s emergency task force […]
Gatekeepers for Innovation, Finance, and Environment top lobby target lists
In 2019, the most popular target for lobbyists were cabinet policy advisers who have become fixtures as influential gatekeepers over the past three years in the departments for innovation, finance, and the environment—all key departments connected to Liberal promises and potential funding. Though politicos will often move between ministerial offices, the staff who appeared time […]
