Federal Politics

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks in Windsor, Ont., on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. The ongoing affordability crunch and the threat of a looming recession will be front and centre as the federal Liberal cabinet holds a post-holiday cabinet retreat this week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nicole Osborne

Federal cabinet set for 3-day retreat in Hamilton ahead of Parliament’s return

Trudeau says they’ll be looking at issues of affordability

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks in Windsor, Ont., on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. The ongoing affordability crunch and the threat of a looming recession will be front and centre as the federal Liberal cabinet holds a post-holiday cabinet retreat this week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nicole Osborne
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs, second from right, speaks during a press conference with, from left to right, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and Prince Edward Island Premier Dennis King in Moncton, N.B. on Monday, August 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Premiers are united in push for more health funding from Ottawa: Ford

Provinces want Ottawa to increase its share of health-care costs to 35 per cent

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs, second from right, speaks during a press conference with, from left to right, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and Prince Edward Island Premier Dennis King in Moncton, N.B. on Monday, August 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
A general view of Karama camp for internally displaced Syrians, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022 by the village of Atma, Idlib province, Syria. The lawyer for six Canadian women and 13 children being held in Syrian camps says the federal government has agreed to help bring them home.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Omar Albam

Canada to repatriate six women, 13 children from Syrian detention, lawyer says

The Canadians are among the many foreign nationals in Syrian camps run by Kurdish forces

A general view of Karama camp for internally displaced Syrians, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022 by the village of Atma, Idlib province, Syria. The lawyer for six Canadian women and 13 children being held in Syrian camps says the federal government has agreed to help bring them home.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Omar Albam
New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh listens to a question during an availability on Parliament Hill, Thursday, January 19, 2023 in Ottawa. New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh says it will be a deal-breaker if the Liberal government doesn’t introduce a pharmacare bill in Parliament this year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

No pharmacare bill this year would be a deal-breaker, says NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh

Liberal government says it remains committed to creation of a national pharmacare program

New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh listens to a question during an availability on Parliament Hill, Thursday, January 19, 2023 in Ottawa. New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh says it will be a deal-breaker if the Liberal government doesn’t introduce a pharmacare bill in Parliament this year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Cenovus CEO Alex Pourbaix announces a multi-year initiative focused on Indigenous communities near the company’s oil sands operations in northern Alberta, at a news conference in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020. The CEO of one of the biggest oilsands companies in Alberta says transitioning its workforce for a net-zero emissions workforce isn’t about cutting jobs but creating them. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Oilsands execs say a ‘just transition’ isn’t a worry — it’s their next big ‘boom’

MEG Energy CEO Derek Evans said his worry about the transition isn’t job cuts, it’s a labour shortage

Cenovus CEO Alex Pourbaix announces a multi-year initiative focused on Indigenous communities near the company’s oil sands operations in northern Alberta, at a news conference in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020. The CEO of one of the biggest oilsands companies in Alberta says transitioning its workforce for a net-zero emissions workforce isn’t about cutting jobs but creating them. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre holds a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. Experts say reforming Canada’s bail system to keep certain offenders behind bars will not reduce crime, but it will lead to more people waiting in jails — contrary to what Poilievre says. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Pierre Poilievre’s claims on bail reform not backed by evidence, experts say

Analysts says no evidence suggests a ‘tough on crime’ approach to bail increases public safety

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre holds a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. Experts say reforming Canada’s bail system to keep certain offenders behind bars will not reduce crime, but it will lead to more people waiting in jails — contrary to what Poilievre says. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh speaks to reporters in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. The federal New Democrats are kicking off their three-day caucus retreat today. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

NDP leader says Liberal government is waging war against the working class

Singh accused the prime minister of not doing enough to combat inflation and rising grocery prices

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh speaks to reporters in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. The federal New Democrats are kicking off their three-day caucus retreat today. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, holds a media availability on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on December 13, 2022. Anand says the federal government will provide 200 armoured vehicles to the Ukrainian military. Anand announced the contribution during a visit to Kyiv today, where the minister also met her Ukrainian counterpart. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Ottawa commits 200 more armoured vehicles to Ukraine as allies debate sending tanks

Announcement overshadowed somewhat by question of whether Canada will also send tanks

Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, holds a media availability on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on December 13, 2022. Anand says the federal government will provide 200 armoured vehicles to the Ukrainian military. Anand announced the contribution during a visit to Kyiv today, where the minister also met her Ukrainian counterpart. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Representatives from Canada’s alcohol industry say mandatory warning labels are not needed on booze containers as suggested in guidance that greatly reduces the amount Canadians should be drinking due to health risks including seven types of cancer. Bottles of British Columbia wine on display at a liquor store in Cremona, Alta., on Feb. 7, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

New alcohol guidance focuses on continuum of risk, suggests warning labels

Report updates Canada’s guidelines set in 2011, when two drinks a day were considered low risk

Representatives from Canada’s alcohol industry say mandatory warning labels are not needed on booze containers as suggested in guidance that greatly reduces the amount Canadians should be drinking due to health risks including seven types of cancer. Bottles of British Columbia wine on display at a liquor store in Cremona, Alta., on Feb. 7, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Canada’s special interlocutor for unmarked graves at former residential schools, Kimberly Murray says the fight is not over to obtain records needed to answer “hard questions,” including who the missing children were, how they died and where they are buried. Murray speaks at a news conference in Ottawa June 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Residential school records needed to answer ‘hard questions’: special interlocutor

National Truth and Reconciliation report detailed at least 4,100 deaths at the institutions

Canada’s special interlocutor for unmarked graves at former residential schools, Kimberly Murray says the fight is not over to obtain records needed to answer “hard questions,” including who the missing children were, how they died and where they are buried. Murray speaks at a news conference in Ottawa June 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivers a keynote address on the Canada-Mexico relationship and North American competitiveness at the Centro University in Mexico City, Mexico, Wednesday Jan.11, 2023. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government is looking “carefully” and “quickly” at a letter from Canada’s premiers calling for a fix to the country’s bail system. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Trudeau says Ottawa looking at bail reform after letter from premiers demands action

Poilievre says repeat offenders pose the biggest risk to public safety

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivers a keynote address on the Canada-Mexico relationship and North American competitiveness at the Centro University in Mexico City, Mexico, Wednesday Jan.11, 2023. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government is looking “carefully” and “quickly” at a letter from Canada’s premiers calling for a fix to the country’s bail system. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
At a three-day retreat in Ottawa this week, New Democrat members of Parliament are expected to focus discussions on getting more wins out of their confidence-and-supply agreement with the federal Liberals. NDP MP Jenny Kwan speaks during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, May 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

As NDP gathers to talk strategy, MPs vow to keep Liberals at their word on pharmacare

‘We’ll absolutely be watching very carefully to see where the government is at’

At a three-day retreat in Ottawa this week, New Democrat members of Parliament are expected to focus discussions on getting more wins out of their confidence-and-supply agreement with the federal Liberals. NDP MP Jenny Kwan speaks during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, May 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Provincial Health Department workers stop traffic that has crossed the Confederation Bridge in Borden-Carleton, P.E.I., Sunday, March 22, 2020. The premier of Prince Edward Island is asking the federal government to lower the tolls for the Confederation Bridge to make the trips to the mainland more affordable. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

P.E.I. premier asking Ottawa to reduce tolls for Confederation Bridge and ferry fares

Tolls for cars now $50, King wants them cut to $20 to encourage travel.

Provincial Health Department workers stop traffic that has crossed the Confederation Bridge in Borden-Carleton, P.E.I., Sunday, March 22, 2020. The premier of Prince Edward Island is asking the federal government to lower the tolls for the Confederation Bridge to make the trips to the mainland more affordable. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
Today, federal public servants are beginning the transition to return to in-person work. Pedestrians make their way along Sparks Street Mall in Ottawa on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

As federal workers return to the office, some decry lack of direction, long commutes

Purpose of new hybrid work model is to increase collaboration between colleagues

Today, federal public servants are beginning the transition to return to in-person work. Pedestrians make their way along Sparks Street Mall in Ottawa on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser responds to a question during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. As Canada plans to significantly ramp up its immigration levels in the coming years, some policy experts are worried about potential effects on health care, housing and the labour market. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Liberal minister says Canada needs more immigration as targets get mixed reviews

As Canada plans to significantly ramp up its immigration levels in the…

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser responds to a question during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. As Canada plans to significantly ramp up its immigration levels in the coming years, some policy experts are worried about potential effects on health care, housing and the labour market. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
President of the Treasury Board Mona Fortier speaks in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. Fortier says that if federal public servants refuse to return-to-office by the end of March management will be left to assess each situation on a case by case basis.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Penalties for public servants who won’t go back to office to be handled individually

Federal employees still working from home will begin to transition back starting Monday

President of the Treasury Board Mona Fortier speaks in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. Fortier says that if federal public servants refuse to return-to-office by the end of March management will be left to assess each situation on a case by case basis.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A member of the First Nations Indigenous Warriors raises his fist toward the doors at Winnipeg City Hall, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. A leading human rights group says Canada is failing to address long-standing abuses, delivering a scathing rebuke of what it calls the federal government’s inadequate climate policy and violations of the rights of Indigenous people and immigration detainees. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Daniel Crump

Rights group releases scathing report on Canada’s violations of Indigenous rights

Multiple criticisms levelled in Human Rights Watch annual ‘World Report’

A member of the First Nations Indigenous Warriors raises his fist toward the doors at Winnipeg City Hall, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. A leading human rights group says Canada is failing to address long-standing abuses, delivering a scathing rebuke of what it calls the federal government’s inadequate climate policy and violations of the rights of Indigenous people and immigration detainees. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Daniel Crump
Luggage bags are amassed in the bag claim area at Toronto Pearson International Airport, as a major winter storm disrupts flights in and out of the airport, in Toronto, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. From long hours waiting on hold to sleepless nights on airport floors and desperate scrambles to rebook flights and find missing bags, it was a holiday travel season that no one had on their wish list — but that thousands of people got. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

Airlines, airports, transport minister to testify on holiday travel mess at committee

Leaders from country’s major airports and airlines are also among witnesses set to appear

Luggage bags are amassed in the bag claim area at Toronto Pearson International Airport, as a major winter storm disrupts flights in and out of the airport, in Toronto, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. From long hours waiting on hold to sleepless nights on airport floors and desperate scrambles to rebook flights and find missing bags, it was a holiday travel season that no one had on their wish list — but that thousands of people got. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
A protester carries a piece of wood simulating a weapon during a protest demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry in the Petion-Ville area of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Oct. 3, 2022.The Canadian Armed Forces have sent armoured vehicles to Haiti that were purchased by Port-au-Prince. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly and Defence Minister Anita Anand say the equipment will help the Haitian National Police to try containing a gang crisis.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Odelyn Joseph

Canada delivers more tanks to Haiti as police try pushing back Port-au-Prince gangs

Port-au-Prince has been held hostage for months by violent, feuding gangs

A protester carries a piece of wood simulating a weapon during a protest demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry in the Petion-Ville area of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Oct. 3, 2022.The Canadian Armed Forces have sent armoured vehicles to Haiti that were purchased by Port-au-Prince. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly and Defence Minister Anita Anand say the equipment will help the Haitian National Police to try containing a gang crisis.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Odelyn Joseph
A customer loads lumber into the back of a pickup truck in Maple Ridge, B.C., on Friday, June 12, 2020. Canadians are now eligible for a tax credit that will help pay for renovations to build a secondary suite for family member who is a senior or an adult with a disability.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Federal tax credit for multi-generational home renovations now available to Canadians

Credit will provide a 15 per cent tax refund on expenses of up to $50,000

A customer loads lumber into the back of a pickup truck in Maple Ridge, B.C., on Friday, June 12, 2020. Canadians are now eligible for a tax credit that will help pay for renovations to build a secondary suite for family member who is a senior or an adult with a disability.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
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