Federal Politics

Families, Children and Social Development Minister Karina Gould stands during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. Families Minister Karina Gould is expected to introduce legislation today to strengthen child care in Canada, which is likely to include an effort to secure a long-term role for Ottawa in the new national daycare system. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Liberals aim to secure long-term role for feds in national child-care system

New legislation introduced, does not make any specific financial promises

Families, Children and Social Development Minister Karina Gould stands during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. Families Minister Karina Gould is expected to introduce legislation today to strengthen child care in Canada, which is likely to include an effort to secure a long-term role for Ottawa in the new national daycare system. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
The Peace Tower is seen on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on November 5, 2013. Veteran journalist Dean Beeby says reporters are abandoning the federal Access to Information Act as a research tool because turnaround times are terrible and getting worse.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Media shunning transparency law due to worsening delays, journalist says

Users complain of lengthy delays, heavily blacked-out documents or full denials

The Peace Tower is seen on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on November 5, 2013. Veteran journalist Dean Beeby says reporters are abandoning the federal Access to Information Act as a research tool because turnaround times are terrible and getting worse.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Social Development Minister Karina Gould says 35,000 families have applied for the new dental benefit for their children since applications opened a week ago. Gould stands during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Social Development Minister Karina Gould says 35,000 families have applied for the new dental benefit for their children since applications opened a week ago. Gould stands during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau participates in a gun violence roundtable at Rexdale Community Centre in Etobicoke, Ont., on Tuesday, July 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tijana Martin

VIDEO: Feds working to get list ‘right’ on gun control, says PM

Critics say firearms legislation not just targeting criminals

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau participates in a gun violence roundtable at Rexdale Community Centre in Etobicoke, Ont., on Tuesday, July 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tijana Martin
The landing page for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit is seen in Toronto, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini

COVID-19 benefits helped economy rebound, but post-payment verification lacking: AG

Auditor general estimates $4.6 billion was paid to people who were not eligible

The landing page for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit is seen in Toronto, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini
Workers unload a shipment of the Moderna COVID‑19 vaccine at the FedEx hub at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on May 20, 2021. Canada’s auditor general is expected to release two highly anticipated reports on the government’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis in 2021, including access to vaccines and pandemic benefits. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

Most unused COVID-19 vaccines will expire at the end of the year: auditor general

Tens of millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines are likely about to…

Workers unload a shipment of the Moderna COVID‑19 vaccine at the FedEx hub at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on May 20, 2021. Canada’s auditor general is expected to release two highly anticipated reports on the government’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis in 2021, including access to vaccines and pandemic benefits. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei, reads a statement outside B.C. Supreme Court, in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. The U.S. Department of Justice is asking a New York judge to dismiss the remaining indictment against the Chinese tech executive. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Four years after Meng Wanzhou’s arrest, U.S. moves to drop remaining indictment

Move is part of deal that saw Meng released in 2021, ending three-year international standoff

Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei, reads a statement outside B.C. Supreme Court, in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. The U.S. Department of Justice is asking a New York judge to dismiss the remaining indictment against the Chinese tech executive. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
National Security Advisor Jody Thomas appears as a witness at the Public Order Emergency Commission, Thursday, November 17, 2022 in Ottawa. The national security adviser to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that senior officials are planning ahead for the possibility of another “Freedom Convoy” protest in early 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

National security officials planning for 2023 ‘Freedom Convoy’ reboot: adviser to PM

‘Different action would be taken ahead of time to prevent the settling in to the extent that we saw’

National Security Advisor Jody Thomas appears as a witness at the Public Order Emergency Commission, Thursday, November 17, 2022 in Ottawa. The national security adviser to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that senior officials are planning ahead for the possibility of another “Freedom Convoy” protest in early 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
A hiker passes through along a trail amidst a grove of poplar trees at the Rouge Urban National Park, in Toronto, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. The federal environment minister is warning that Ottawa will not provide disaster compensation where a province deliberately allows housing to be built in areas prone to flooding. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini

Feds won’t help provinces for disaster compensation if housing built in flood areas

Environment minister’s comments come after Ontario reveals plans to build in ‘Greenbelt’

A hiker passes through along a trail amidst a grove of poplar trees at the Rouge Urban National Park, in Toronto, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. The federal environment minister is warning that Ottawa will not provide disaster compensation where a province deliberately allows housing to be built in areas prone to flooding. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini
Ward Elcock waits to appear before the Commons Public Safety Committee on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Monday October 25, 2010. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

CSIS definition of threat irrelevant to Emergencies Act decision, ex-directors say

Spy directors argue government should redefine national security threats in Emergencies Act

Ward Elcock waits to appear before the Commons Public Safety Committee on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Monday October 25, 2010. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
In this image taken from video, Canadian law enforcement personnel surrounded a residence on the James Smith Cree First Nation reservation in Saskatchewan on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, as they search for a suspect in a series of stabbings. The federal government is to spend $1.2 million to repair and replace houses damaged during the stabbings. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Robert Bumsted

Ottawa to spend $1.2 million to replace and repair homes after mass stabbing

Houses became crime scenes after 11 people died and 18 were injured

In this image taken from video, Canadian law enforcement personnel surrounded a residence on the James Smith Cree First Nation reservation in Saskatchewan on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, as they search for a suspect in a series of stabbings. The federal government is to spend $1.2 million to repair and replace houses damaged during the stabbings. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Robert Bumsted
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives to a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. Trudeau says nothing is off the table when it comes to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s new sovereignty act. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives to a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. Trudeau says nothing is off the table when it comes to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s new sovereignty act. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

VIDEO: Trudeau says nothing off the table when it comes to Smith’s new ‘sovereignty’ act

‘I’m also not looking for a fight,’ he said Wednesday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives to a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. Trudeau says nothing is off the table when it comes to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s new sovereignty act. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives to a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. Trudeau says nothing is off the table when it comes to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s new sovereignty act. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Members of the Canadian Forces work on a CP140 Aurora surveillance plane at the Canadian Forces base in the Persian Gulf, Sunday, February 19, 2017.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

China accused of ‘regularly’ intercepting Canadian military aircraft

Intercepts happened on a number of occasions between September and November

Members of the Canadian Forces work on a CP140 Aurora surveillance plane at the Canadian Forces base in the Persian Gulf, Sunday, February 19, 2017.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks at a press conference, in Edmonton, on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

‘Ottawa is not our ruler’: Alberta government introduces sovereignty bill

‘The (act) will be used as a constitutional shield to protect Albertans from federal overreach’

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks at a press conference, in Edmonton, on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly, front left, responds to questions as Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino listens during a news conference to announce Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy in Vancouver on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. Agriculture commodity groups are applauding the Liberal government’s long-awaited Indo-Pacific strategy and hoping it will lead to more, and better, free trade deals. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadian agriculture groups hope new Indo-Pacific strategy leads to trade deals

$244.1 million earmarked for improving trade between Canada and countries in the region

Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly, front left, responds to questions as Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino listens during a news conference to announce Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy in Vancouver on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. Agriculture commodity groups are applauding the Liberal government’s long-awaited Indo-Pacific strategy and hoping it will lead to more, and better, free trade deals. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux waits to appear before appearing at the Senate Committee on National Finance on October 25, 2022 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Liberals did not show fiscal restraint in fall update: parliamentary budget officer

Parliamentary budget officer Yves Giroux says the federal government did not show…

Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux waits to appear before appearing at the Senate Committee on National Finance on October 25, 2022 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault, announces the ban of single-use plastics, at a beach, on Monday, June 20, 2022 in Quebec City. Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, behind, looks on. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

New stats suggest Canadians already kicking some plastic habits as national ban looms

By Dec. 20, it will no longer be legal to manufacture or import most plastic shopping bags or straws

Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault, announces the ban of single-use plastics, at a beach, on Monday, June 20, 2022 in Quebec City. Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, behind, looks on. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino rises during Question Period, in Ottawa, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. Mendicino is accusing the Conservatives of “whipping up fear” that the Liberal government is outlawing ordinary long guns and hunting rifles.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Conservatives are ‘fearmongering’ over assault-style gun ban: public safety minister

Mendicino: ‘Government has no intention to go after long guns and hunting rifles’

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino rises during Question Period, in Ottawa, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. Mendicino is accusing the Conservatives of “whipping up fear” that the Liberal government is outlawing ordinary long guns and hunting rifles.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Commissioner Paul Rouleau presides over the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Emergencies Act inquiry studies fundamental rights and freedoms at stake in protests

‘What does it mean to say that an assembly is peaceful in nature?’

Commissioner Paul Rouleau presides over the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly, front left, responds to questions as Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendocino listens during a news conference to announce Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy in Vancouver on Sunday, November 27, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Opposition, experts praise new Indo-Pacific strategy but want implementation plan

Strategy promises nearly $2.3 billion in new spending over five years, outlines approach to China

Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly, front left, responds to questions as Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendocino listens during a news conference to announce Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy in Vancouver on Sunday, November 27, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck