When the Auditor General files a report, it’s rarely good news for the government. That was the case this week when the watchdog’s office reported about the ongoing problems within government call centres for departments that people rely on – Employment and Social Development; Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship; and Veterans Affairs.  While Canadians might reasonably expect their calls would provide ...

The floods gripping parts of eastern Canada just two years after record high-water events hit many of the same locations makes it more difficult to see the sense in those who argue against climate change.  There is no doubt that extreme weather events are happening with greater frequency; that 18 of the 19 warmest years ever recorded occurred in last ...

There’s no doubt tax time can be stressful. Most of us understand there are consequences for cheating on taxes but may not be aware that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) also write off some debt as being uncollectable.  While this doesn’t often make news, the fact that this type of forgiveness was extended on a grand scale this year is ...

The political theatre that overshadowed the delivery of the budget may have helped insulate the government from a more complete reaction to what has been described as an unfocussed attempt to shore up support without allocating enough resources to move important issues toward resolution.  Lost in the commotion was the fact that this is a disappointing budget for Canadians who ...

The last federal budget before this October’s election short-changed Northern Ontario, and mostly missed the mark, according to the NDP’s Northern Ontario MPs, Carol Hughes and Charlie Angus. “This is a disappointing budget for Canadians who need help right now to make ends meet,” said Hughes. “This budget is disconnected from most people’s reality and the challenges we are facing ...

Feb 19, 2019 @ 9:17 It’s no secret that the cost of just getting by is going up for Canadians.  Even when we find a little relief on one front, it seems there is another way to make life more expensive to counteract that.  That’s why more than half of Canadians are $200 or less away from not being able ...

Feb 16, 2019 @ 14:17 The surprise resignation of Jody Wilson-Raybould from cabinet this week caps a string of developments that have rocked the government with respect to their apparent cozy relationship with the Quebec-based engineering firm SNC Lavalin.  What began as the surprise demotion of a senior cabinet member in January blew wide open in February when a Globe ...

This week parliament rose in recognition of the last surviving Mohawk code-talker whose unique language skills helped the allies win World War II.  As the entire chamber celebrated this individual’s remarkable accomplishment, I was struck how our linguistic diversity can be a source of pride that is celebrated in many instances, but can also be a source of contention in ...

Last week’s economic update could have been an opportunity for the government to show it was serious about tackling some persistent issues that can’t seem to gain traction when it comes to federal spending, instead it turned into an early Christmas gift for corporate Canada.  That’s because the government came up with 14.4 billion dollars to write off capital costs.  ...

Two award-winning family doctors that practice in Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing were recognized for their achievements in parliament by MP, Carol Hughes. Hughes’ statement noted their accomplishments and also acknowledged the crucial role family doctor’s play in a community’s well-being. “Dr. Lianne Gauvin from Hearst received the Community Teachers of the Year Award from the Ontario College of Family Physicians which recognizes the ...

Like so many others, I was deeply saddened to learn the details of Tori Stafford’s tragic demise ten years ago when news coverage of her disappearance, murder, and the subsequent trial of Terri-Lynne McClintic and her accomplice shook Canadians to their foundation.  This autumn, we learned that McClintic had been re-designated as a medium security threat and transferred to a ...

Recently, I attended a rally on the steps of Parliament organized by veterans suffering from the long-lasting effects of the anti-malarial drug Mefloquinne. It struck me that this is becoming the new normal as veterans are forced to take their struggles with Veterans Affairs to the government themselves. That this problem persists through successive governments shows that, despite many promises ...

Labour Day is upon us marking the end of school vacations and the inevitable turn towards autumn. While it is easy to focus on the day as a holiday, it is also important to remember that it celebrates numerous campaigns that helped shape our modern workplaces in many significant ways. Those are marked by Labour Day Parades and festivities held ...

Nous avons la chance de vivre dans une région où les aliments locaux sont sains, et rend nos mets si délicieux. La plupart des gens qui en profitent se sentent privilégiés. C’est pourquoi ce printemps, le Parlement a adopté un projet de loi d’initiative parlementaire néodémocrate déclarant le vendredi précédant l’Action de grâces « Journée nationale de l’alimentation locale ». ...