A federal climate panel that recommended Canadians walk or take the bus to work billed more than $180,000 in flights from Brazil to the United Arab Emirates, records show. The Net Zero Advisory Body promised “bold vision” in lowering greenhouse gas emissions: "There is no debate. The climate is changing." READ MORE
Prime Minister Mark Carney will spend more on the Privy Council Office than his predecessor, new records show. Carney had promised to “work relentlessly to cut waste.” READ MORE
The Department of Canadian Heritage is purchasing only Canadian-made paper flags for July 1 under cabinet's Buy Canadian policy. Federal departments in the past used Chinese suppliers for items including maple leaf pins given to new citizens at swearing-in ceremonies: "The requirement is limited to Canadian services." READ MORE
MPs have approved the appointment of former British Columbia Chief Electoral Office Anton Boegman as head of a new federal registry to unmask foreign agents. Boegman promised quick action: "I promise I will work tirelessly." READ MORE
The Senate has passed a bill compelling the Canada Revenue Agency to annually report on all Income Tax Act convictions and estimated value of money lost to tax evasion. “Canada needs to study the effectiveness of the Agency,” said Senator Percy Downe (P.E.I.), sponsor of the bill: "If you hide your money overseas, your chances of being caught are very low." READ MORE
Near Ottawa City Hall at the corner of Cooper and Cartier Streets lived an unforgettable prime minister, Charles Tupper. His grand home like so much of the city’s architectural heritage is gone. Yet Tupper is oddly immortal. He once punched a man who interrupted his Bible reading. His autograph lists on eBay for $4,950. READ MORE
They don’t make British Columbia premiers like they used to. Richard McBride was the first to build his own navy, the first to create a university. “Any complaints?” he asked voters. McBride was so sentimental that, when confronted by a petitioner with a son in the penitentiary – “He is only a boy, Mr. McBride, and meant no harm” – he gave the woman $20. He was a glad-handing spendthrift who cheerfully accepted a case of Old Curio Whiskey from lobbyists, and told British Columbians: “Let everyone wear a smile.” In Boundless Optimism biographer Patricia Roy captures the forgotten genius and sinfulness of this flawed man who campaigned by stagecoach and ruled for three terms. READ MORE
The Charter Of Rights in Canada is all about minority rights, not majority rights. The idea that Parliament wants to deal with all these difficult issues is simply a fiction. There’s been a lot of criticism of so-called judicial activism. This is but one example. They said we were reckless. I realized the sky was not going to fall. I mean, there are times when the courts have to act. To me it was an issue we didn’t need to go on debating indefinitely.
