The Liberal Party last night lost a byelection Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called “an important moment” for Canada. Montréalers voted Bloc Québécois in a once-safe Liberal seat: "I can’t wait for the conversations we’re having in LaSalle-Émard-Verdun." READ MORE
Opposition parties seek a wider ethics probe of political appointees to federal boards. Conservative MP Rick Perkins (South Shore-St. Margarets, N.S.) yesterday told the Commons industry committee there was a “culture of conflict” as shown by dozens of breaches of the Conflict Of Interest Act at a single agency: "Expose them and let the public and parliamentarians decide what should happen." READ MORE
China inquiry chief Marie-Josée Hogue yesterday said she is restricted by the Inquiries Act from unmasking foreign spies on Parliament Hill. The Commission on Foreign Interference must not “jeopardize any other investigation,” said Hogue: "I am aware of the political climate." READ MORE
Subsidized media must scrutinize the Conservative Party, Government House Leader Karina Gould yesterday told reporters. Her remarks followed a colleague’s comment that cabinet was “happy to help” CBC-TV counter Conservative criticism: "Make sure we are holding (Pierre Poilievre) to account." READ MORE
Tariffs on Chinese electric cars, steel and aluminum offer only a “short reprieve” for industry, the Commons trade committee was told yesterday. The tariffs take effect October 1: "This is basically a short reprieve, a temporary reprieve." READ MORE
A federal judge has upheld one of the steepest fines ever levied for breach of migrant labour regulations. An Alberta contractor was fined $153,000 and banned from the Temporary Foreign Worker Program for five years after failing a spot inspection: "The process was fair." READ MORE
Federal auditors cite Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault’s department for poor oversight of millions spent on green subsidies. Management of taxpayer funds was so sloppy it represented “potential legal and reputational damage,” said a report: "We observed significant issues." READ MORE
I didn’t have any trouble with Tommy but I knew many people who did. He could be an unreasonable person and a son of a bitch. My oh my, he could be a hard man to work for. He was no saint. Most saints in the classic lexicon of saints are quiet, gentle people without a backbone. Douglas was not this type. He knew who his enemies were. This was a fighter and he was willing to fight. A friend tells the story of driving with Douglas on a gravel road, late for a meeting, and the car in front wouldn’t let them by. Douglas leans out the window and tries to get the plate number, uttering a few choice words. He had to be pulled back into the car.
