Davis Legree

Davis Legree

Miller’s criticism of CRTC prompts questions of political interference

Canadian Identity Minister Marc Miller’s recent comments about the CRTC have renewed questions regarding political interference with the independent regulator. After Cable Public Affairs Channel Inc. (CPAC) announced it was cutting two original programs — PrimeTime Politics and L’Essentiel — Miller (Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Sœurs, Que.) posted a statement on social media saying he was “thinking of the employees affected by layoffs”...

Davis Legree

Warming Canada-China relations shouldn’t extend to Huawei ban, say security experts, parliamentarians

As thawing bilateral relations between Canada and China produce new trading partnerships on electric-vehicles and agricultural products, it would “not be wise” for Prime Minister Mark Carney to revisit the government’s 5G ban on the Chinese telecoms firm Huawei, according to former Canadian Security Intelligence Service director Ward Elcock.

Davis Legree

‘A catalyst for change’: MPs bullish on Heated Rivalry’s impact on Canadian hockey culture

Liberal MP Rob Oliphant says he is tired of seeing only straight couples being intimate in movies and television shows. It’s partly why his interest was piqued when he saw trailers for the new Crave series Heated Rivalry about two young, closeted male hockey players who develop a secret sexual relationship, while their on-ice rivalry plays out in public.

Davis Legree

‘Anything that can’t go on forever eventually stops’: ‘Enshittification’ author issues stark warning to Ottawa over AI policy

The originator of “enshittification,” an increasingly popular term used to describe decaying digital products and services, is cautioning against the Liberal government’s support for artificial intelligence, which he calls the “money-losingest technology ever seen.” “[The government] should be serious about the future of AI, instead of trying to be buzzword-compliant or following the herd,” said Canadian writer Cory Doctorow, author...

Davis Legree

Opposition MPs, media veterans call for ‘long overdue’ CBC mandate review

As Google, Meta, and other American-owned big-tech firms pervade Canada’s media landscape, Ottawa is considering reviewing the CBC’s mandate in an effort to strengthen cultural independence and further protect the country’s democracy, political players say. And, according to opposition critics, former CBC officials, and cultural advocates, an update is desperately needed. A lot has changed since the federal government last...

Davis Legree

Ottawa set to revive online harms legislation in 2026: government source

The Liberals are preparing to bring forward new standalone legislation to address harmful content found online, reviving a Trudeau-era bill that failed to become law before this past year’s federal election, says a government source. The source, who asked to remain anonymous in order to speak freely, told The Hill Times the government was developing a new version of the...

Davis Legree

Ottawa’s AI strategy could help Canada capitalize on homegrown innovation, say task force members

Several members of the government’s artificial intelligence task force say they are worried Ottawa has already fallen behind in the global race to capitalize on a burgeoning economic driver, but they believe the forthcoming AI strategy may provide an opportunity for Canada to catch up. Louis Têtu, executive chairman of the AI software multinational Coveo, said Canada has long suffered...

Davis Legree

Where is Team Canada? Advisors, premiers feel left out as PMO prepares for CUSMA review

“You could have an incredible political fallout because the prime minister doesn’t have the usual mechanism and folks that could help [him] manage a crisis because he’s all on his own,” said Sen. Hassan Yussuff. “I think the government needs to scramble now to get to get ready [for the CUSMA review].”

Davis Legree

Lights, camera, action: REEL Politics to host film festival at ByTowne Cinema

Calling all politicos and film junkies in the nation’s capital! REEL Politics is set to screen eight political films at Ottawa’s legendary ByTowne Cinema, beginning this fall. The festival will feature a wide range of movies, from the French-language drama Les Ordres to the newly-released documentary Prime Minister, which explores the resignation of New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern.

Davis Legree

From door-knocking to digital: Next Campaign Tech Showcase puts cutting-edge strategies on display

In advance of a widely-anticipated federal election campaign, political strategists, elected officials, and aspiring candidates gathered in Toronto earlier this week for the Next Campaign Tech Showcase. The non-partisan event featured expert panels and tech exhibitors, allowing politicos to see up close the latest technology for strategic campaigning.

Davis Legree

Calling all politicos: Next Campaign Summit to feature speakers on electoral tech and tactics

In two months, the Canadian political world will congregate in Toronto for the Next Campaign Summit, a one-day nonpartisan event devoted to all the latest tech and tactics used in election campaigns across the world. To tee up the summit, iPolitics chatted with Brett Thalmann, a founding partner at Nexus Strategic Consultants and one of the event’s organizers. Thalmann spoke...

Davis Legree

‘There will be no magic meeting’: Lobbyists react to Poilievre’s attack on their profession

Despite Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s call for businesses to “fire your lobbyist,” many in the government relations industry aren’t worrying about their professional futures. In an op-ed for the National Post earlier this month, Poilievre called lobbyists “useless” and “overpaid,” as part of broader message outlining how his government’s policies will not be shaped by Ottawa insiders, but rather by...

Davis Legree

Liberals set stage for vote marathon in House on sustainable jobs bill

The Liberal caucus is preparing for a vote marathon on the sustainable jobs bill that could see MPs sit well into the weekend, according to a senior government source. After facing countless delays and some 20,000 amendments at committee, Bill C-50, which seeks to establish a framework that would guide Canada’s economy towards a net-zero future, is set to come...

Davis Legree

Jonathan Wilkinson: Lover of policy, not politics

Heading into 2023, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson had five distinct priorities. He wanted to improve relationships with the provinces, implement the critical minerals strategy, green the grid, create sustainable jobs, and advance economic reconciliation. While most of those goals are long-term objectives, Wilkinson caught up with iPolitics to provide a progress update. In this interview, he talks...

Davis Legree

Gas-powered vehicles have become like horses and buggies, says Guilbeault

In an exclusive interview with iPolitics, Canada’s environment minister talks about why people need to embrace electric-vehicles, as well as why Ontario is to blame for any delays facing Highway 413.

Davis Legree

Feds considering legislating grocery code of conduct, says ag minister

Ahead of the holidays, Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay spoke with iPolitics about the code, as well as what he thinks of the amended Bill C-234 and who he believes is the funniest person at the cabinet table.