Prime Minister Trudeau says ‘sorry’ after ethics commissioner finds he broke conflict of interest rules by vacationing with the Aga Khan
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he accepts “full responsibility” and is “sorry” for not clearing his Barbados vacation with the Aga Khan last year, which Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson’s concluded broke federal conflict of interest rules in a report released Wednesday morning. Mr. Trudeau (Papineau, Que) apologized during a press conference Wednesday afternoon for not taking […]
Independent Senators chief calls budget process ‘opaque,’ ‘unfair,’ demands more money
The Independent Senators Group is asking for a $200,000 budget boost next year beyond the $1.06-million allotted to it, citing an “opaque and unfair” process that members say should be determined by proportionality. The facilitator of the growing Independent caucus says its slated budget won’t be enough to cover its operations. “We believe that proportionality should […]
Senate ethics officer halts Meredith harassment probe pending outside inquiry
The Senate’s ethics watchdog has suspended a two-year investigation into allegations of workplace harassment by former Ontario Conservative Senator Don Meredith pending the results of a probe by another authority. On Dec. 1, a notice on the Senate Ethics Office’s website announced that the inquiry “concerning former Senator Don Meredith, regarding allegations raised in a […]
‘Slower than ideal’: Hill contractors face long delays to pass complex security screens
Employees of private companies that need to pass complex classified screening to work with government face long delays to complete the process, departmental results for the year reveal, which one opposition critic says can impact project costs and job prospects for those looking to do business with the government. Last year only 34 per cent […]
A sign of the times: press gallery members say constitutional changes ensure ‘people don’t fall through the cracks’
Hill journalists, freelancers, and online news organizations will have an easier time getting accredited with the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery if proposed changes pass, aimed at addressing the fractured media landscape and updating the gallery’s constitution which was written before the 24-hour news channels and before the internet. The press gallery’s updated constitution will also […]
‘Saddened and distressed’: political Ottawa reacts to deaths of Apotex’s Barry and Honey Sherman
Three weeks ago, Honey Sherman was on Parliament Hill for a special occasion. The prominent Toronto philanthropist was there to receive a 150th anniversary Senate medal on the floor of the Upper Chamber in recognition of all her volunteer work. During the visit on Nov. 29, Liberal MP Rob Oliphant (Don Valley West, Ont.) said […]
‘If you want to become an MP, you better listen to us’: Bellegarde says First Nations are becoming an electoral force
First Nations people are now voting in federal elections more than ever before and emerging as such an influential force in Canadian politics that candidates of all stripes will have to consider Indigenous issues when running for federal office, says Assembly of First Nations national chief Perry Bellegarde. “The concept of dual citizenship, we’re embracing […]
Constituents support Canada’s hands-off approach on Jerusalem, say MPs
MPs with large Jewish populations in their ridings said constituents mostly agree with Canada’s stance on the question of Jerusalem despite the United States’ controversial decision to formally recognize the city as Israel’s capital. Conservative MP Peter Kent (Thornhill, Ont.) said along with “a lot of phone calls” at his office, the American decision is […]
Politics This Morning: O’Regan to rollout pension for life for veterans; McKenna to unveil recommendations for list of Canadian world heritage sites
Good Wednesday morning, Mark Hickey, commander of Air Task Force-Romania will be doing a one-on-one media interview at 9 a.m. EST to highlight the ATF-Romania’s deployment in support of NATO’s enhanced air policing. The Trudeau government, meanwhile, is rolling out its plan to offer pensions for life for Canadian veterans. Veterans Affairs Minister Seamus O’Regan […]
Politics This Morning: Rex Tillerson comes to Ottawa; Trudeau to meet with new Montreal mayor; Bill Blair talks pot in Winnipeg
Good Tuesday morning, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is comin’ to town. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is meeting with America’s top diplomat behind closed doors in Centre Block at 6 p.m. this evening. It’s Mr. Tillerson’s first visit to Canada as U.S. secretary of state, although he is familiar with the country from his work […]
