While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Catherine Morrison.
OTTAWA -- The secretary of state for the Canada Revenue Agency is pushing back against some of the auditor general report's recent findings and argues that Canadians get timely, accurate info from the agency.
OTTAWA -- The federal government says it's working on a long-term strategy to address problems at the Canada Revenue Agency as the agency's 100-day plan to improve its services reaches its end point next week.
More than 27,000 federal public servants were paid at least $150,000 in the last fiscal year, a document tabled in Parliament shows. It says more than 20,000 employees received compensation -- salaries, bonuses, benefits and overtime pay -- of between $150,000 and $199,999 in 2024-25. The document, prepared by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, shows that nearly 5,000 employees...
OTTAWA -- More than 27,000 federal public servants were paid at least $150,000 in the last fiscal year, a document tabled in Parliament shows.
The federal government is in the process of sending information on its planned early retirement program to almost 70,000 employees as it works to reduce the size of the public service. Mohammad Kamal, director of communications for the Office of the President of the Treasury Board, says letters are being sent to roughly 68,000 public servants who may be eligible...
OTTAWA -- The federal government is in the process of sending letters with information on its planned early retirement program to almost 70,000 employees as it works to reduce the size of the public service.
The government is pledging another $235 million in funding for Ukraine, with National Defence Minister David McGuinty and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announcing Canada's latest commitments. McGuinty says Canada will work with NATO allies to purchase a package of critical military capabilities sourced from the United States valued at around USD $500 million. Canada's contribution to the Prioritised Ukraine...
OTTAWA -- The government is pledging another $235 million in funding for Ukraine, with National Defence Minister David McGuinty and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announcing Canada's latest commitments.
Treasury Board president Shafqat Ali on Monday denied having any knowledge about discussions to potentially order public servants to return to the office full time in 2027. Ali was responding to questions from reporters after the Canadian Association of Professional Employees president Nathan Prier wrote to Ali to ask about rumours of the impending change. "I'm hearing from news outlets...
OTTAWA -- Treasury Board president Shafqat Ali on Monday denied having any knowledge about discussions to potentially order public servants to return to the office full time in 2027.
OTTAWA -- A federal union has sent a letter to the Treasury Board president asking for clarity in response to reports the federal government may soon order public servants to work in-office five days per week.
Members of the federal Liberal caucus maintained Friday that their party remains united in the wake of Steven Guilbeault's resignation from cabinet — but NDP MPs say they see signs that B.C. Liberal MPs are under political pressure. Guilbeault quit cabinet on Thursday to protest Ottawa's new pipeline pact with Alberta, which leaves open the possibility of overturning the coastal...
The federal government has launched a public registry to keep Canadians in the loop on its growing use of artificial intelligence. The registry lists more than 400 areas where AI is currently being explored, developed, implemented or deployed within the government, including early research projects and tools for operations and service delivery. A Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat news release...
OTTAWA -- The federal government has launched a public registry to keep Canadians in the loop on its growing use of artificial intelligence.
OTTAWA -- Members of the federal Liberal caucus maintained Friday that their party remains united in the wake of Steven Guilbeault's resignation from cabinet — but NDP MPs say they see signs that B.C. Liberal MPs are under political pressure.
OTTAWA -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is urging Ottawa to terminate the West Coast oil tanker ban as the federal government prepares to unveil the details of a new energy pact it has been negotiating with the province.
The federal Office of Public Service Accessibility is in limbo months after it produced a document accusing the government of falling behind on supports for public servants with disabilities. The document, obtained by The Canadian Press through information access law, says the government is lagging on plans to accommodate employees with disabilities. Prepared by the Office of Public Service Accessibility...
OTTAWA -- The federal Office of Public Service Accessibility is in limbo months after it produced a document accusing the government of falling behind on supports for public servants with disabilities.
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt said premiers had a "productive" meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday, mainly to discuss the federal budget and progress on tariff talks with the United States. Noting the impact of U.S. tariffs on New Brunswick, Holt told reporters the group spoke about the plight of the softwood lumber industry and Carney indicated a...
OTTAWA -- New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt said premiers had a "productive" meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday, mainly to discuss the federal budget and progress on tariff talks with the United States.
OTTAWA -- More than 600,000 small businesses will share $623 million in carbon price rebate payments before the end of the year, the final payment they will receive following the end of the consumer carbon price last spring.
OTTAWA -- Government records show the federal government spent more than $19 billion on external professional and special services in 2024-25 -- an increase of almost $2 billion from the previous year and almost $8.5 billion since 2020.
Government records show the federal government spent more than $19 billion on external professional and special services in 2024-25 -- an increase of almost $2 billion since last year and of about $8.5 billion since 2020. The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat says the increase in spending on professional and special services is largely due to higher spending on engineering...
OTTAWA -- Government records show the federal government spent more than $19 billion on external professional and special services in 2024-25 — an increase of almost $2 billion since last year and of about $8.5 billion since 2020.
Eight fewer departments and agencies are being asked to slash their budgets at least 15 per cent over the next three years, a move one economist says shows Ottawa's cost cutting exercise was not "thought through." Earlier this year, Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne directed most ministers to find ways to cut their departments' program spending by 15 per cent over...
OTTAWA -- Eight fewer departments and agencies are being asked to slash their budgets at least 15 per cent over the next three years, a move one economist says shows Ottawa's cost cutting exercise was not "thought through."
OTTAWA -- The brother and father of an Ottawa man whose wife and four children were killed in a gruesome mass stabbing last year are asking the federal government for help as they face immigration challenges.
OTTAWA -- Federal public service unions are condemning the government's proposed amendments to collective bargaining rules -- though they admit they know little at this point about what those changes could entail.
Nova Scotia MP Chris d'Entremont surprised many on Tuesday when he left the Conservative caucus to join the Liberals, bringing the government caucus to within two votes of a majority. While switching parties between elections -- a practice known as floor crossing referring to physically crossing the floor of the House of Commons to sit with a different caucus --...
OTTAWA -- Nova Scotia MP Chris d'Entremont surprised many on Tuesday when he left the Conservative caucus to join the Liberals, bringing the government caucus to within two votes of a majority.
Canada's federal public service unions vowed on Wednesday to "fight" planned job cuts, arguing they will undermine services for Canadians. Tuesday's federal budget outlined a plan to lower program spending and administration costs by about $60 billion over the next five years. It also says the government intends to have 10 per cent fewer federal employees by 2029 -- a...
OTTAWA -- Canada's federal public service unions vowed on Wednesday to "fight" planned job cuts, arguing they will undermine services for Canadians.
Canada's top bureaucrat is warning the budget's spending reduction target is a "big number" that will mean cuts to programs and jobs in the public service. Tuesday's federal budget outlined a plan to lower program spending and administration costs by about $60 billion over the next five years.
Ottawa -- Canada's top bureaucrat is warning the budget's spending reduction target is a "big number" that will mean cuts to programs and jobs in the public service.
OTTAWA -- The federal government intends to slash the public service by 10 per cent by the end of the 2028-29 fiscal year -- eliminating about 40,000 jobs -- as it strays from its election promise to cut the number of federal employees solely through attrition.
OTTAWA -- The federal government intends to slash the public service by 10 per cent within the next three years -- eliminating up to 40,000 jobs -- as it strays from its election promise to cut the number of federal employees solely through attrition.
OTTAWA -- The federal government intends to slash the public service by 10 per cent over the next three years -- eliminating up to 40,000 jobs -- as it strays from its election promise to cut the number of federal employees solely through attrition.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre addressed young Canadians at an event in Toronto tonight, arguing that the Liberals are sacrificing their future. Speaking at a podium with a sign that says "Jobs. Homes. Hope.," Poilievre criticized Prime Minister Mark Carney and his government, highlighting that the prime minister has yet to make a deal with U.S. President Donald Trump to end...
OTTAWA -- Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre addressed young Canadians at an event in Toronto tonight, arguing that the Liberals are sacrificing their future.
OTTAWA -- The federal government has spent more than $15 million fighting a class-action lawsuit filed by Black public servants, documents filed in Parliament show.
OTTAWA -- The federal government is announcing the upcoming budget will include new money to support women's participation in leadership roles and to provide security for LGBTQ communities during Pride events.
OTTAWA -- A senior official working at the Canada Revenue Agency says the agency is looking to artificial intelligence and better training to help call centre agents provide more accurate answers to taxpayers.
he Conservatives are pressing the federal government over the rising cost of living as new reports show more Canadians are turning to food banks and community organizations. A new Food Banks Canada report says monthly visits to food banks came close to 2.2 million in March 2025, five per cent higher than the year before and nearly double the rate...
OTTAWA -- The Conservatives are pressing the federal government over the rising cost of living as new reports show more Canadians are turning to food banks and community organizations.
OTTAWA -- Canadians who file their personal income taxes incorrectly after getting inaccurate information from the Canada Revenue Agency have no legal recourse, says a tax lawyer.
OTTAWA -- Canada's auditor general is taking a deep dive into military recruitment and cybersecurity as her office releases a new round of reports today.
A top aide to former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper has lashed out at Pierre Poilievre over his leadership of the Conservative party and his recent comments attacking the RCMP's treatment of Justin Trudeau. In a recent interview with a YouTube channel called Northern Perspective, Poilievre called the leadership of the RCMP "despicable" and said many of former prime minister...
OTTAWA -- Two senior officials working at the Canada Revenue Agency say the agency surpassed its target for answering more calls from Canadians ahead of schedule.
OTTAWA -- Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says the RCMP covered up what he calls scandals involving former prime minister Justin Trudeau, which he says would have otherwise led to criminal charges.
OTTAWA -- Federal Industry Minister Melanie Joly says financial relief is coming soon for Canada's tariff-struck softwood lumber sector.
OTTAWA -- The association representing professional interpreters is warning that Ottawa's planned new procurement rules could convince many of them to shun work for the federal government.
Sergio Marchi says when he asks students in his university course on politics how many of them are interested in a career in public life, he's surprised if two or three of them raise a hand. Marchi, who served as minister for international trade from 1997 to 1999 and later as ambassador to the World Trade Organization and the United...
OTTAWA -- Sergio Marchi says when he asks students in his university course on politics how many of them are interested in a career in public life, he's surprised if two or three of them raise a hand.
OTTAWA -- Tanille Johnston, a social worker and city councillor for Campbell River, B.C., has launched her bid for the federal NDP leadership.
OTTAWA -- The CEO of Canada Post says he supports the government's plans to shore up the Crown corporation's finances.
OTTAWA -- The CEO of Canada Post says he supports the government's to shore up the company's finances
The number of students working for the federal government fell almost 20 per cent between 2024 and 2025. Data provided by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat shows 9,120 students were employed in the federal public service at the end of March 2024. A year later, in March 2025, that number had fallen to 7,370. Employees on leave without pay...
OTTAWA -- The number of students working for the federal government fell almost 20 per cent between 2024 and 2025.
Public Services and Procurement Canada says its plan to sell off or lease surplus office space has been derailed in part by the government's push to increase the number of days public servants have to work in the office. A ministerial transition binder prepared for Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement Joel Lightbound says "recent developments" have undermined...
OTTAWA -- Public Services and Procurement Canada says its plan to sell off or lease surplus office space has been derailed in part by the government's push to increase the number of days public servants have to work in the office.