Jan 30 2022 — Joan Bryden — The Canadian Press — OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is counting on the Bloc Quebecois and the NDP to help his minority Liberal government get things done in the face of what he anticipates will be systematic obstructionism by the Conservatives. In an interview with The Canadian Press ahead of Parliament's return Monday after a six-week break, Trudeau […]
Jan 19 2022 — Joan Bryden — The Canadian Press — OTTAWA — The federal Liberal government appears to be in no hurry to complete a legally required parliamentary review of Canada's law on medical assistance in dying, which is already 18 months overdue. Repeated delays have led some critics to conclude that the government would rather wait for court rulings to force its hand, rather […]
Jan 18 2022 — Joan Bryden — The Canadian Press — OTTAWA — Government House leader Mark Holland is urging the Conservatives to reconsider their rejection of a compromise proposal that would allow MPs to finally see unredacted documents related to the firing of two scientists at Canada's highest-security laboratory. In a letter Tuesday to his Conservative counterpart, Gerard Deltell, Holland reiterates his proposal to allow […]
Dec 23 2021 — Joan Bryden — The Canadian Press — OTTAWA — Another year, another crisis. For Justin Trudeau, it's become something of a routine. Of his six years as prime minister, only one — his first — has been what might be considered a normal year of governing, with the usual ups and downs. His first mandate was upended in the second year by […]
Dec 20 2021 — Joan Bryden — The Canadian Press — OTTAWA — Anthony Rota didn't relish being the first Speaker in more than a century to publicly rebuke a veteran civil servant for doing what he believed was his legally required duty. But as Speaker of the House of Commons, it fell to Rota to do the bidding of the combined opposition parties last June […]
Dec 10 2021 — Joan Bryden — The Canadian Press — OTTAWA — It's one down and two to go with only a week left for the federal Liberal government to win parliamentary approval of priority legislation before an extended Christmas break. The government has managed to win approval for one of three bills it wants to be passed before Parliament takes a six-week holiday break […]
Dec 9 2021 — Joan Bryden — The Canadian Press — OTTAWA — The Conservatives have lost their bid to resurrect a House of Commons order demanding the release of secret documents related to the firing of two scientists at Canada's highest security laboratory. Commons Speaker Anthony Rota ruled Thursday that the order expired, along with all other business before the House, when Parliament was dissolved […]
Nov 25 2021 — Joan Bryden — The Canadian Press — OTTAWA — Members of Parliament are able to work from home again after passing a motion Thursday to resume hybrid sittings of the House of Commons. Liberals and New Democrats joined forces to pass the motion over the objections of Conservative and Bloc Quebecois MPs who had wanted to fully return to normal, in-person operations. […]
Nov 21 2021 — Joan Bryden — The Canadian Press — OTTAWA — Concern over the vaccination status of Conservative MPs was front and centre on the eve of a new session of Parliament after one of them tested positive for COVID-19. Quebec MP Richard Lehoux's diagnosis added urgency to the push by Liberals and New Democrats to continue with a hybrid format in the House […]
Nov 16 2021 — Joan Bryden — The Canadian Press — OTTAWA — Erin O'Toole kicked Sen. Denise Batters out of the Conservative caucus Tuesday — one day after she challenged his leadership. "As the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, I will not tolerate an individual discrediting and showing a clear lack of respect towards the efforts of the entire Conservative caucus, who are […]
Nov 15 2021 — Joan Bryden — The Canadian Press — OTTAWA — After getting off to an arguably slow start since winning re-election on Sept. 20, Justin Trudeau's Liberal government appears poised to go into hyperdrive with next week's resumption of Parliament. The Liberals promised more than a dozen initiatives in their election platform — including the introduction or reintroduction of at least eight bills […]
Nov 5 2021 — Joan Bryden — The Canadian Press — OTTAWA — Constitutional experts say the federal government has a bit of wiggle room to maintain Quebec's 78 seats in the House of Commons — or even add one or two — but it can't guarantee the province's influence in the chamber won't wane over time without a constitutional amendment approved by at least seven […]
Oct 20 2021 — Joan Bryden — The Canadian Press — OTTAWA — Rebel News Network is asking a court to quash $3,000 worth of fines levied against the right-wing media outlet by the commissioner of elections. The fines were imposed earlier this year after an investigation by the commissioner's office into thousands of lawn signs erected by Rebel News during the 2019 federal election campaign […]
Oct 15 2021 — Joan Bryden — The Canadian Press — OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will unveil on Oct. 26 the roster of cabinet ministers who will shepherd his government into a third mandate focused on finishing the fight against COVID-19 and rebuilding the pandemic-ravaged economy. His ministers will then have about a month to settle into their jobs before Parliament is recalled on […]
Oct 15 2021 — Joan Bryden — The Canadian Press — OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will unveil on Oct. 26 the roster of cabinet ministers who will shepherd his government into a third mandate focused on finishing the fight against COVID-19 and rebuilding the pandemic-ravaged economy. His ministers will then have about a month to settle into their jobs before Parliament is recalled on […]