Independent Senator Mobina Jaffer, left, and NDP MP Jenny Kwan both say they’re disappointed by the Liberal government’s appeal, while Conservative MP Peter Kent says it's the right call after the government has failed on the refugee file.
The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, file
‘They are just buying time’: Lawyers weigh feds’ appeal of judgment suspending Canada-U.S. asylum agreement
The appeal means the STCA is in place indefinitely, say lawyers who predict that the question of whether the agreement infringes Charter rights, as recently ruled, will ultimately be put to the Supreme Court to hear.
Canada could have added leverage in trade talks with U.K. as activists push for stronger environmental protections
'The U.K. wants the same deal as the Europeans had—or better. I would sit back and say, 'Tell me what's in it for me?' says trade lobbyist Peter Clark. Software likely to blame for CSC’s ‘unfortunate’ failure to report solitary confinement data, says watchdog
Despite the government’s promise to reconvene the independent review panel, members say they won’t return unless the CSC turns over the data requested to track whether it is complying with the law.Politics This Morning
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Canada continues to diplomatically press China on Hong Kong, two Michaels—is it working?
Since April 21, Canadian officials have highlighted concern over the situation in Hong Kong in more than 25 meetings and calls with the Chinese and Hong Kong governments. Canada long overdue for ‘more populist voices’ to take up cause of ‘expendables’, says economist Rubin
'Now there’s a new imperative. Bring that mask production, or ventilator production, or for that matter, generic drugs—bring that back home,' says economist Jeff Rubin, author of The Expendables. NDP calls for Chagger’s resignation over ‘key role’ in choosing WE Charity
'Minister Chagger has been given multiple opportunities to be truthful with the Canadian people. The documents show she played a key role, but she has not told us that,' says NDP MP Charlie Angus.‘He’s not exactly a household name:’ Erin O’Toole’s ‘well-funded’ team ready for a fall election, say strategists
'Canadian voters will need some time to get to know him and feel comfortable with him, not only as the leader of the opposition, but as the leader of an alternative government,' says strategist Geoff Norquay. Ontario MPP Baber, former senior staffer Lantsman, and former candidate Willson said to be eyeing Conservative nomination in York Centre
‘We expect this to be a hotly contested nomination race, the reason being that York Centre is far from being a "safe Liberal seat,"’ says Rachel Willson, the last Conservative candidate in York Centre. New StatsCan data ‘indispensable’ for understanding systemic anti-Black racism, says professor
StatsCan has released a number of large-scale, disaggregated studies on the Black population in Canada since early 2019.29 of 92 Conservative MPs failed to deliver their own ridings to their endorsed leadership candidate
Caucus endorsements in a leadership election only serve as a public relations tool to suggest momentum, says veteran Conservative political insider Tim Powers.Independent Senator Mobina Jaffer, left, and NDP MP Jenny Kwan both say they’re disappointed by the Liberal government’s appeal, while Conservative MP Peter Kent says it's the right call after the government has failed on the refugee file.
The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, file
‘They are just buying time’: Lawyers weigh feds’ appeal of judgment suspending Canada-U.S. asylum agreement
The appeal means the STCA is in place indefinitely, say lawyers who predict that the question of whether the agreement infringes Charter rights, as recently ruled, will ultimately be put to the Supreme Court to hear.
A fall election has few benefits, so don’t hold your breath for its call
If the return to school is a mighty mess and wave two of the virus hits with force in the fall, the Liberals might get a mighty smack in the chops from a tired, angry, disheartened public.O’Toole’s dilemma
If Erin O'Toole really wants to appeal to non-traditional Conservatives, he will have to cut ties with social conservatives and the far right.A new O’Toole for the main event
There is an explanation for Erin O’Toole’s ideological versatility: politics, like the Olympics, is comprised of many events.
Liberals preparing legislation to extend deadlines for courts, security reviews and more amid pandemic
The law could give Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains more time to give notice of a national security review to a foreign company trying to take over a Canadian business.Senate oversight committees aim to start meeting this week
The Senate’s Finance and Social Affairs committees are preparing to start their studies of the government’s COVID-19 relief effort.Pandemic crisis tests durability of MPs’ parliamentary privileges, say MPs, experts
Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu says MPs have little recourse, other than to file a complaint with the House Speaker, for raising concerns about breaches of privilege.
Vietnamese envoy arrives on repatriation flight, one of many firsts for new cohort of ‘Zoom diplomats’
‘We are Zoom diplomats now,’ says Pham Cao Phong, who, with the South Korean envoy, was the first ambassador in Canada to present their credentials to the Governor General virtually.
ECOWAS a model for regional problem-solving
A collection of West African countries, each with their own problems, have banded together to protect human and civil rights. They succeed more than they fail. Putin and Lukashenko: two sides of same misgovernance coin
Democracies around the world must encourage Lukashenko to show respect for human dignity and peaceful demonstrations, writes former MP David Kilgour.
June lobbying a success with wage subsidy extension, groups say
With 2,002 recorded communications, June saw a dip in lobbying compared to each of the four previous months of 2020, but it was busier than the last sitting month in 2019.Lobby groups push feds to pivot to recovery phase, say more cash needed for key sectors
In May organizations logged 1,998 lobbying reports, with economic development, health, and industry among the most discussed matters.‘We’re all hurting’: culture and sports groups say they need added funds, emergency support extended
The government says it’s developing a new portal in ‘record time’ to help fund arts, culture, and sport organizations, while opposition MPs say a plan for the sector has been too slow.
Scaled-down Remembrance Day Ceremony to mark 75th anniversary of end of Second World War
Plus, the earliest date for a Toronto Centre byelection is on Oct. 12, and Kelsey Johnson is leaving Hill scrums for grad school.
‘Campaigns do matter’: Wexit’s Jay Hill votes in Conservative leadership race, resigns CPC membership
Plus, Canada's chief public health officer and her deputy may take their message to TikTok.
Competing designers named for Canada’s national monument to Afghanistan mission
Plus, Scheer lauds Post Millennial, True North, and Rodger Cuzner comes to the rescue of a stranded former colleague.
That makes four: Conservative MP Finley among MPs ruling out possible fall election run
Plus, respected satirical columnist Allan Forthingham dies at the age of 87.Legendary Hill scribe Richard Gwyn dies at 86
Plus, New Brunswick election set for September in first test of Canadian pandemic voting, and Chantal Chastenay named Canada’s point person in Beirut. South Korean scholar-turned-diplomat sees posting as front-row seat to ‘virtual diplomacy era’
Chang Keung Ryong, a former political science and foreign policy professor, says he’d like to write a book about the gap between theory and practice in diplomacy.
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Caremongering started at home but it shouldn’t end here
The only way out of this global crisis is through multilateralism, international co-operation, mutual support, and solidarity. Without this, the crisis will cut deeper and last longer.
Canada’s economy is stalled, and old-fashioned corporate handouts won’t help us
It is time for our business groups and universities to come up with serious ideas rather than just lobbying for more favours or money.
Refugee access to health care during COVID-19 should not be an afterthought
The racial and ethnic disparities in health care and unequal health burdens of refugee populations put them at disproportionate health risks from COVID-19.
Can Canada make America great again?
If Canada is to politely nudge the American ship of State into safer waters, we will need to step up our influence game among decision makers and the American public.Stronger social policies help all of us, not only the poor
September's Throne Speech should outline how the government will help create a better deal for low-income Canadians, in the short and long term.
Minority rules: 2020’s most influential figures to watch in federal politics
This year’s Top 100 Most Influential List reflects the power brokers who will help shape the terms of how this minority Parliament will shake out.
The return of Parliament is more than an event in the news cycle. It’s a time to look ahead, and to thoughtfully consider the important role each branch of government will play in that future, and in the life of each individual Canadian.
Our worldview, our desire for control, and the way we get information are just three things that new MPs should consider as they orient themselves to life in Ottawa and as elected representatives. But the implications of these three forces matter to everyone who seeks to engage and connect with Canadians.
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Politics This Morning: Probe into workplace harassment allegations facing GG due in fall
Plus, the NDP is calling for the resignation of Youth Minister Bardish Chagger over the 'key role' she played in choosing WE Charity for the troubled student-grant program.
The government should invest at least one per cent of its COVID-19 response in a global response that tackles the spread of the virus and its secondary impacts in low- and middle-income countries.
Thanks to the necessary 'one site' rule that many regions instituted after the pandemic outbreaks, many of these care aides have now been forced to consider retail jobs to supplement their income.
The absence of a Grey Cup game for the first time in a century should be worn by the government, and fans could be resentful if teams fold.
As we reopen our economy and resume social functioning, every government needs to consider the lessons they can harness from what has transpired.The Hot Room Podcast
The Age of O'Toole with Tim Powers
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Politics This Morning
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In a number of countries, governments are undermining the independence and values of public media organizations and pressing them to function increasingly as state broadcasters.
I fear for the future of public discourse if the political agenda is set by the ignorant and the vandals, not the knowledgeable and the civilized. We can’t let democracy become another casualty of the internet. 
If anyone in high political office in Canada thought that our soldiers’ sacrifice in a U.S.-led unwinnable war would earn us a bargaining chip at trade talks, then they do deserve to be turfed from power.
When innovation stops or stalls and graduates from advanced degrees lack opportunities to join industry and drive economic growth, prospects for those businesses and Canadians’ quality of life are at risk.
Failure to act on several important pieces of legislation gives the impression that the Canadian Forces generally, and the military justice system specifically, are not concerned with fulfilling the will of Parliament.
No one can claim that Stephen Poloz broke any rules by accepting appointments to corporate boards right after leaving the Bank of Canada. No cooling-off period applied to his situation, and therein lies the problem.Canada long overdue for ‘more populist voices’ to take up cause of ‘expendables’, says economist Rubin
'Now there’s a new imperative. Bring that mask production, or ventilator production, or for that matter, generic drugs—bring that back home,' says economist Jeff Rubin, author of The Expendables. Five political scientists offer fresh insights into election campaigning in three provinces
Provincial Battles, National Prize? Elections in a Federal State is a study of the 2015 Canadian federal election, with a twist: it examines campaign dynamics in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.Dea exits as PMO issues, parliamentary affairs director
Plus, the Liberal research bureau has a new communications director, and there are a couple of staff departures from the Conservative OLO to note. Federal Diversity Minister Chagger makes some staffing changes
Meanwhile, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair is in need of a new director of communications after Brittany Perreault’s exit. ‘In my experience, few things are less predictable in a minority Parliament than what might trigger an elxn’: election speculation revved up after Blanchet delivers ultimatum, Liberals approach one-year mark
Plus, rookie NDP MP Matthew Green and rookie Grit MP Patricia Lattanzio lean into their city councillor chops during a brief showdown at a House Official Languages Committee meeting, and diplomatic shifts continue over in the Big Apple.Ng, Qualtrough to appear at Finance Committee as WE Charity inquiry continues
Plus, Ottawa Police investigating ugly incident outside Catherine McKenna’s community office, and the International Human Rights Subcommittee to meet to draft news release on Uyghur crisis. As union members face COVID-19 pandemic ‘head on,’ PSAC calls for feds to return to bargaining table
Treasury Board spokesperson Martin Potvin says the government's goal is to take 'constructive steps to keep meeting and to prepare for negotiations when they resume.'‘Critical situation’ in prisons as health-care workers threaten to walk over lack of protective equipment
'The Correctional Service of Canada continues to take a number of preventative measures to restrict the spread of COVID-19 in federal institutions,' according to the office of Public Safety Minister Bill Blair. No more Hill parties, after coronavirus pandemic forces Parliament Hill to shut down
'Politics and the Pen is probably the exact opposite of social distancing. We cram so many people into the ballroom that you can barely keep one to two inches away,' says Jim Armour. Sorbara makes ’em howl at the Métropolitain
Pat Sorbara's new book, Let 'em Howl, offers lessons learned over a more than four-decade career in federal and provincial politics as a high-ranking Liberal backroomer. Venezuela winter elections will be fraudulent, warns envoy, calling for continued support
Last November, Canada officially recognized Orlando Viera-Blanco, a representative of interim president Juan Guaidó, as the country’s ambassador.Recognize Palestine as a state, upgrade diplomatic status, says new representative
Like her predecessor, Hala Abou-Hassira says she’d like to see the Canadian government upgrade her office’s diplomatic status. 
Anne Applebaum dives into democracy with Paul Wells in Writers’ Festival chat on Sept. 6
Historian Anne Applebaum sits down with Paul Wells on Sept. 6 to discuss her new book, Twilight of Democracy, as part of the Ottawa International Writers' Festival. Photograph courtesy of Anne Applebaum
Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna, pictured, as she addresses reporters following an incident at her constituency office involving a man who hurled vulgar slurs at one of her female staffers. He had been told that the office was closed due to the pandemic. The incident has been referred to the RCMP and Ottawa Police. McKenna says these types of misogynistic attacks 'happen far too often' to women in politics. 
