Rookie Conservative MP Michael Ma (Markham-Unionville, Ont.) last night abruptly defected to the government caucus, bidding his newfound Liberal colleagues a "merry Christmas." The floor-crossing was announced as the Commons adjourned for a six-week recess: "Happy holidays and a great 2026." READ MORE
Canada Post is seeking a second emergency loan from cabinet and will require years to pay back more than a billion already borrowed, CEO Doug Ettinger yesterday told MPs. An initial $1,034,000,000 line of credit approved last January 24 has run out, the Commons government operations committee was told: "We’ve exhausted that." READ MORE
The Department of Health paid out more than $6.6 million in ineligible claims under its Canada Dental Care Plan, records show. It follows disclosure the overall cost of the program is projected to go 50 percent over budget this year: "An error was identified." READ MORE
Artworks that vanished from a multi-million dollar federal collection included jewelry, records show. The Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations said jewelry disappeared from an unnamed regional office 30 years ago but was only made public now: "Have you contacted police?" READ MORE
Cabinet approved a five-figure pay raise for an appointee under investigation for workplace misconduct, records show. Marie Chapman of Bedford, N.S., CEO of the Museum of Immigration, yesterday was accused of office bullying like referring to employees as “sluts.” READ MORE
Attorney General Sean Fraser says he will spend the winter consulting faith leaders on a proposal to prohibit hate speech under the pretext of religious instruction. It follows a 2023 incident in which a Montréal activist called for death to Jews while reading a Quran prayer: "There’s a number of faith leaders who’ve reached out." READ MORE
Most federal agencies spent more, not less, on travel last year while cabinet claimed to save taxpayers’ money, new records show. Then-Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland promised a 15 percent reduction in travel spending as proof the government was “fiscally responsible.” READ MORE
When I think of my father Chung Fan Siu, I recall his constant struggle with nicotine addiction. He smoked for over 70 years. It is Dad’s life, and his eventual death, that I recall when I speak of the dangers of cigarette smoking. We could have had Dad with us a lot longer than we did, if not for the cigarettes. My mother grew to hate cigarettes. She banned smoking in our home, and Dad would huddle outside to have a cigarette. I remember it was an ongoing battle.
