Defence Minister Bill Blair while testifying under oath misled the China inquiry, records suggest. Documents disclosed by lawyers marked the second time Blair’s explanation for the mishandling of security matters was contradicted: "It is evidence that a minister of the Crown gave under sworn testimony." READ MORE
Voters are resigned to illegal foreign money influencing federal elections, says in-house research by Elections Canada. More than two-thirds of electors say they suspect illegal foreign campaign contributions are commonplace: 'What impact if any do you think it will have on the outcome of the next federal election?' READ MORE
New evidence shows a former legislator came under federal surveillance for working on behalf of a foreign government to “influence” Parliament. Neither the ex-parliamentarian, party affiliation or the foreign government were named by the Commission on Foreign Interference: "This one is new?" READ MORE
Liberal-appointed senators are protesting quick passage of a Bloc Québécois bill on dairy quotas. The Bloc has warned Bill C-282 must be signed into law by October 29 or it will “bring down the government.” READ MORE
A federal labour board faces years’ worth of hearings into complaints Covid vaccine mandates discriminated against federal employees’ religious beliefs. The Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board put an end to in-person hearings to help clear the backlog of grievances: "Scheduling an oral hearing for every religious accommodation case would amount to an impossible burden." READ MORE
Poet Shai Ben-Shalom writes "I examine the icons on my new smartphone. An old camera; a rotary phone; a windup alarm clock; a postal envelope.." READ MORE
It is an immigrants’ story like no other. British Columbia’s Kootenay region was for years a quiet, peaceful land of alpine valleys and crystal streams, peopled by Catholic loggers and miners, New Democrats and Social Creditors – “blue collar”, one MP called it. Suddenly, the Vietnam War happened. Sociologist Kathleen Rodgers in her compelling narrative tells what happened next. From 1965 thousands of U.S. draft evaders crossed the border to settle in the Kootenays, cursing U.S. militarism and actually building communes with names like New Family and Harmony’s Gate. “Some focused on ‘free love,'” Rodgers notes. There had never been anything quite like it. True, Canada has been a haven for American draft dodgers since the U.S. Civil War, and northern migrations are nothing new. It was the century-old influx of Montana cowpunchers and Utah Mormons that even today gives southern Alberta its unique view. READ MORE
I can tell from talking to someone whether they’re driven or not – very quickly, just by attitude. That’s something I learned from my days in competitive sport that translated into my political career. The things you learn in competitive sport are the same attributes you need as a Member of Parliament. I’ve found MPs generally are high achievers. In kayaking, you don’t win every race. Check the facts. Many MPs I know, especially Conservatives from Ontario, lost an election before we were elected. I can just name them off.
