Near majority of Canadians back legal pot but it doesn’t look like a vote-getter in 2019: poll
Canadians are divided on legalizing recreational marijuana, with nearly half supporting the sale and distribution of the illicit substance, however most say it won’t influence whether they vote Liberal in 2019, according to a new poll. The Campaign Research survey, conducted Sept. 8 to 11 and released first to The Hill Times, found that 49 per […]
Politics This Morning: New trade pact with European Union goes into effect; Trudeau to address UN General Assembly
Good Thursday morning, Canada’s long-discussed trade agreement with the European Union is finally going into effect. International Trade Minister François-Philippe Champagne is joining representatives from Canadian and European business interests in Montreal to commemorate the first day of the provisional application of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, known popularly as CETA. The far-reaching agreement […]
Singh has small lead in NDP leadership race, but Angus tops among small sample of party members: poll
Ontario MPP Jagmeet Singh has the backing of a slim plurality of Canadians in the NDP leadership race, but veteran MP Charlie Angus remains the top choice of party members who will ultimately pick the winner, a new public opinion poll suggests. However, most Canadians aren’t keeping track of the leadership vote, with only a […]
Why Foreign Affairs Minister Freeland’s the top player on NAFTA talks, and Trade Minister Champagne’s not
It’s “highly unusual” to have a trade minister tasked to manage all files except the relationship with Canada’s largest trading partner, but observers say the tactic is fitting given the major NAFTA talks, general trade shakeup under U.S. President Donald Trump, and an outgoing star minister best suited for the job. The North American Free […]
How reworking NAFTA will affect intellectual property in Canada
Whatever changes made to intellectual property policy through the ongoing reworking of NAFTA will certainly affect biotechnology companies. Some Canadian analysts say Canada should take an offensive approach to the IP chapter because it already complies with global standards. The third round of North American Free Trade Agreement renegotiations is set to take place in […]
Two Senators once denied Indian status fight bill so others can gain rights
Long before Senator Lillian Dyck became the first First Nations woman to sit in the Upper Chamber, white Parliamentarians signed laws stripping women of their Indian status and the ability to confer that legal identity to their descendants. The Saskatchewan Senator can trace discriminatory Canadian legislation through her lineage, an imposed heirloom she passed to […]
With key tax credit under microscope, biotech firms say it should stay, be improved
As the federal government starts reviewing a tax credit key to the biotechnology sector, some industry representatives say they’re happy with it but would like to see its eligibility expanded, whereas others think documentation standards are too high. The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED, pronounced “shred”) program allows companies in Canada to get a […]
Public Services brings in May-Cuconato as a Phoenix ‘fixer’
Public Service and Procurement Canada has hired veteran bureaucrat and former Hill staffer Danielle May-Cuconato to help fix the problem-plagued Phoenix pay system. She was named the assistant deputy minister of the government department’s new Pay Stabilization Project on Sept. 7, the department confirmed. Ms. May-Cuconato, a seasoned bureaucrat and former Liberal Hill staffer, is […]
Woo, Saint-Germain running unopposed for Independent Senators Group leadership on joint ticket
Senators Yuen Pau Woo and Raymonde Saint-Germain are offering themselves as a one-two punch in the race to choose new leaders for the Independent Senators Group, soon to be the most numerous group in the Upper Chamber. The two Senators sent a letter to their colleagues in the ISG Sept. 6 announcing a joint run […]
Senate needs ‘written standard’ to restrict bills being killed, amended: retired Sen. Baker
The Senate should draft a written standard to inform new members about the traditional limitations on their power, says retired Senator George Baker, citing the increasingly-independent Senate’s push to amend legislation more often. “The Senate doesn’t have the jurisdiction to defeat legislation that is thoroughly dealt with in the House of Commons, voted on, and […]
