Federal Politics

The federal government is introducing a law as early as this week to delay the expansion of its medically assisted dying regime to people whose sole underlying condition is a mental disorder. Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti rises during Question Period, Tuesday, January 31, 2023 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Liberals set to introduce law delaying expansion of medically assisted dying regime

Extension of eligibility to people whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness at issue

The federal government is introducing a law as early as this week to delay the expansion of its medically assisted dying regime to people whose sole underlying condition is a mental disorder. Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti rises during Question Period, Tuesday, January 31, 2023 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada speaks to reporters at the COP15 UN Biodiversity Conference in Montreal, Sunday, December 18, 2022. The federal Liberals will not change Ottawa’s environmental protection law to make it mandatory for every toxic substance to have a pollution prevention plan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Government says there is no need for every toxic chemical to have a pollution plan

Green party proposal for environmental bill amendment voted down

Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada speaks to reporters at the COP15 UN Biodiversity Conference in Montreal, Sunday, December 18, 2022. The federal Liberals will not change Ottawa’s environmental protection law to make it mandatory for every toxic substance to have a pollution prevention plan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, from left to right, B.C. Premier David Eby and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh prepare to march in the Lunar New Year parade in Chinatown, in Vancouver, on Sunday, January 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Singh meeting with Trudeau about private health care ahead of sit-down with premiers

‘The deal will be a failure if it doesn’t include major commitments to hire more health-care workers’

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, from left to right, B.C. Premier David Eby and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh prepare to march in the Lunar New Year parade in Chinatown, in Vancouver, on Sunday, January 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland speaks to the media at the Hamilton Convention Centre, in Hamilton, Ont., on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. The federal government failed to spend tens of billions of dollars in the last fiscal year on promised programs and services, including new military equipment, affordable housing and support for veterans. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

Federal departments failed to spend $38B on promised programs, services last year

Feds say much of the money remains available for future years

Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland speaks to the media at the Hamilton Convention Centre, in Hamilton, Ont., on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. The federal government failed to spend tens of billions of dollars in the last fiscal year on promised programs and services, including new military equipment, affordable housing and support for veterans. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn
New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh listens to a question during an availability on Parliament Hill, Thursday, January 19, 2023 in Ottawa. Singh says he will call on the House of a Commons to hold an emergency debate on the privatization of health care. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

NDP to call for emergency debate in House of Commons over private health care

Singh concerned for-profit facilities will poach doctors and nurses away from hospitals

New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh listens to a question during an availability on Parliament Hill, Thursday, January 19, 2023 in Ottawa. Singh says he will call on the House of a Commons to hold an emergency debate on the privatization of health care. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. The House of Commons resumes today following the winter recess. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Parliamentarians return to House of Commons facing rocky economic year

MPs will sit today for the first session of 2023 after retreating to strategize priorities

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. The House of Commons resumes today following the winter recess. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix pauses while responding to questions during a news conference with his provincial counterparts after the first of two days of meetings, in Vancouver on Nov. 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. health minister Dix ‘delighted’ premiers finally set to meet PM on funding

Provinces want feds to increase share of health-care spending to 35 per cent from 22

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix pauses while responding to questions during a news conference with his provincial counterparts after the first of two days of meetings, in Vancouver on Nov. 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Federal Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, deputy leader Jonathan Pedneault (centre) and David Coon, New Brunswick Green Party leader, attend a news conference in Fredericton, Friday, Jan.27, 2023. May says the party will thoroughly investigate and conduct a “root to branch review” of all of their data retention systems after member information was mistakenly posted online. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Hina Alam

Elizabeth May says Greens will investigate after member information shared online

Party stressed posted information wasn’t anything that can’t be found on Elections Canada

Federal Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, deputy leader Jonathan Pedneault (centre) and David Coon, New Brunswick Green Party leader, attend a news conference in Fredericton, Friday, Jan.27, 2023. May says the party will thoroughly investigate and conduct a “root to branch review” of all of their data retention systems after member information was mistakenly posted online. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Hina Alam
The World Health Organization’s emergency committee, will vote today on whether to maintain the emergency designation. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the WHO, gestures as he speaks to journalists during a press conference at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Martial Trezzini-Keystone via AP

WHO decision on COVID-19 emergency won’t affect Canada’s response: Tam

The WHO’s emergency committee will vote today on whether to maintain the emergency designation

The World Health Organization’s emergency committee, will vote today on whether to maintain the emergency designation. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the WHO, gestures as he speaks to journalists during a press conference at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Martial Trezzini-Keystone via AP
National Council of Canadian Muslims communications director Amira Elghawaby listens to a reporter’s question as leaders of national and Quebec organizations joined the NCCM to call on governments to counter Islamophobia, racism and discrimination, on Parliament Hill on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017 in Ottawa. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced the appointment of Elghawaby as Canada’s first special representative to combat Islamophobia.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Ottawa appoints special representative to combat Islamophobia

Human rights advocate Amira Elghawaby appointed, $5.6 million allocated for her office

National Council of Canadian Muslims communications director Amira Elghawaby listens to a reporter’s question as leaders of national and Quebec organizations joined the NCCM to call on governments to counter Islamophobia, racism and discrimination, on Parliament Hill on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017 in Ottawa. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced the appointment of Elghawaby as Canada’s first special representative to combat Islamophobia.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Via Rail executives are set to address a federal committee about the delays that plagued travellers’ over the holidays. The Crown corporation has apologized for the widespread delays passengers experienced between Dec. 23 and 26, after a winter storm swept through Ontario and Quebec. A man walks by a Via Rail schedule board at central station in Montreal on December 26, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Via Rail tells MPs passengers stuck on train for 18 hours were in ‘unique’ situation

Ottawa investigating widespread delays and cancellations that plagued Canadians over the holidays

Via Rail executives are set to address a federal committee about the delays that plagued travellers’ over the holidays. The Crown corporation has apologized for the widespread delays passengers experienced between Dec. 23 and 26, after a winter storm swept through Ontario and Quebec. A man walks by a Via Rail schedule board at central station in Montreal on December 26, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Canadian Forces Leopard 2A4 tanks are shown at CFB Gagetown in Oromocto, N.B., on September 13, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Smith

Canada donating four Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine

‘These tanks will allow Ukraine to liberate even more of its territory and defend its people’

Canadian Forces Leopard 2A4 tanks are shown at CFB Gagetown in Oromocto, N.B., on September 13, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Smith
The Canadian border crossing is seen in Lacolle, Que. on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Border agencies in Canada, U.S. detail how new Nexus trusted-traveller plan will work

Change to take effect in the spring could involve U.S. interviews in certain Canadian airports

The Canadian border crossing is seen in Lacolle, Que. on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, joined by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, speaks to the media at the Hamilton Convention Centre, in Hamilton, Ont., ahead of the Liberal Cabinet retreat, on Monday, January 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

Trudeau, premiers to meet in February to move health care talks along

Meeting intended to solidify the steps needed to reach a deal

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, joined by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, speaks to the media at the Hamilton Convention Centre, in Hamilton, Ont., ahead of the Liberal Cabinet retreat, on Monday, January 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn
A Canadian passport sits on a suitcase in Ottawa on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. Social Development Minister Karina Gould says Service Canada has “virtually eliminated” the backlog of thousands of passport applications. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Canada’s passport application backlog now ‘virtually eliminated,’ minister says

Pandemic caused a nearly two-year lull in passport applications

A Canadian passport sits on a suitcase in Ottawa on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. Social Development Minister Karina Gould says Service Canada has “virtually eliminated” the backlog of thousands of passport applications. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance Randy Boissonnault speaks to the media at the Hamilton Convention Centre in Hamilton during the second day of meetings at Liberal Cabinet retreat, on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

Fiscal room tightening as economy teeters, associate finance minister says

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland delivered an economic update to the cabinet Tuesday

Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance Randy Boissonnault speaks to the media at the Hamilton Convention Centre in Hamilton during the second day of meetings at Liberal Cabinet retreat, on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, along with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, arrive at the Hamilton Convention Centre, in Hamilton, Ont., ahead of the Liberal Cabinet retreat, on Monday, January 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

Passport backlog update expected as federal cabinet retreat enters second day

Offices unable to deal with passport renewal applications as COVID-19 restrictions eased last year

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, along with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, arrive at the Hamilton Convention Centre, in Hamilton, Ont., ahead of the Liberal Cabinet retreat, on Monday, January 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh (left) tours the Campbell River Food Bank with North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney during Singh’s visit to the ridingon Jan. 23. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror

Jagmeet Singh talks affordability, housing and food security during Island visit

Federal NDP leader visits Campbell River and the Comox Valley

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh (left) tours the Campbell River Food Bank with North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney during Singh’s visit to the ridingon Jan. 23. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends the Lunar New Year parade, in Vancouver, on Sunday, January 22, 2023. Trudeau and his ministers are gathering at a Hamilton hotel today to begin a three-day cabinet retreat. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

New health deal a focus as Trudeau and cabinet begin three-day retreat in Hamilton

Trudeau says more money will come when he sees accountability from provinces on how it will be spent

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends the Lunar New Year parade, in Vancouver, on Sunday, January 22, 2023. Trudeau and his ministers are gathering at a Hamilton hotel today to begin a three-day cabinet retreat. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Kim Shore, co-founder of Gymnasts Gymnasts for Change Canada, centre, participates in a news conference on sexual misconduct allegations at Gymnastics Canada along with Conservative Karen Vecchio, right, in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Educators call for federal inquiry into “widespread abuse” in Canadian sports

Maltreatment complaints have exploded in Canada, with concerns being raised in multiple disciplines

Kim Shore, co-founder of Gymnasts Gymnasts for Change Canada, centre, participates in a news conference on sexual misconduct allegations at Gymnastics Canada along with Conservative Karen Vecchio, right, in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
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