House of Commons of Canada

Senate must pass original version of C-234 for the benefit of farmers and families

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 30, 2023
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In its original form, C-234 permits exemptions for low-emission fuels such as propane and natural gas under the GGPPA.

Key Points: 
  • In its original form, C-234 permits exemptions for low-emission fuels such as propane and natural gas under the GGPPA.
  • Under the Act, similar exemptions already apply to high-emission fuels such as gasoline and diesel.
  • The savings that would be gained under C-234 would be good for farmers and good for families.
  • “It's time for some Senators to stop playing politics with important legislation, start putting farmers and Canadian families first, and pass the original version of C-234.”

Prime Minister announces the appointment of senators

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
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"I am pleased to welcome Joan Kingston, John McNair, Krista Ross, Réjean Aucoin, and Rodger Cuzner as Parliament's newest independent senators.

Key Points: 
  • "I am pleased to welcome Joan Kingston, John McNair, Krista Ross, Réjean Aucoin, and Rodger Cuzner as Parliament's newest independent senators.
  • With today's announcement, there have been 75 independent appointments to the Senate made on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
  • By convention, senators are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister.
  • Candidate submissions are reviewed by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, which provides recommendations to the Prime Minister.

Pierre Poilievre is a career politician: Is that good or bad?

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, October 1, 2023
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Political commentators credit this polling success to the popular appeal of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.

Key Points: 
  • Political commentators credit this polling success to the popular appeal of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.
  • The same political background that makes Poilievre an effective parliamentarian may make him vulnerable to being characterized as out of touch by opposition parties and voters.

Career politicians

    • According to King, career politicians are parliamentarians who devote their professional life to politics, entering politics in their 30s and leaving at retirement age.
    • Poilievre closely matches King’s definition of a career politician.
    • It’s safe to say he’s the textbook definition of a career politician.

The benefits of career politicians

    • Poilievre’s background has obvious advantages to his own career and the success of the Conservative Party.
    • For one, his long career in politics, including as a political staffer, has given him a keen understanding of the legislative process.

The problem with career politicians

    • The most common criticism of career politicians is that they are insulated from life outside of formal politics.
    • Poilievre has likely heard concerns and demands from Canadians inside and outside of his constituency as Conservative leader and MP for Ottawa’s Carleton riding.
    • Prof. Donald Savoie of the University of Moncton has suggested that:
      “Career politicians … bring a narrow skill set to their governance.
    • But they lack the ability to test policy prescriptions against
      experiences gained outside politics.”
      “Career politicians … bring a narrow skill set to their governance.

Out of touch

    • His recent popularity appears to stem from talking about the issues Canadians care about.
    • If Poilievre becomes prime minister, he’ll have a hard time maintaining popularity if he focuses primarily on partisanship.
    • The fact that both Trudeau and Poilievre can be described as out of touch raises broader questions about representation in Canada.

Shutdowns are a uniquely American drama − in the UK, it's just not Parliament's cup of tea

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 28, 2023
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Save for a last-minute spending deal in Congress on Oct. 1, 2023, hundreds of thousands of federal employees will be furloughed and the business of government will grind to a halt.

Key Points: 
  • Save for a last-minute spending deal in Congress on Oct. 1, 2023, hundreds of thousands of federal employees will be furloughed and the business of government will grind to a halt.
  • By some accounts, it would be the 22nd time since 1976 that the U.S. has had to deal with this political paralysis.
  • But it doesn’t have to be like this – and in most countries it isn’t.
  • Other Western democracies experience polarization and political turmoil, too, yet do not experience this problem.

1. Legislative power

    • In the U.K., only the executive branch – the party or coalition in power – has the authority to propose spending plans.
    • Parliament, which consists of members from all political parties, maintains an oversight and approval role, but it has very limited power over the budgetary timeline or to amend spending plans.
    • Yet, the Constitution grants Congress the power of the purse – that is, the power to tax and spend.
    • That gave Congress more power but also offered it more opportunities to bicker and derail the budgetary process.

2. Thresholds to pass a budget

    • Passing the U.S. budget is inherently more complicated, as it requires the support of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
    • In Parliament, however, the two houses – the elected House of Commons and unelected House of Lords – are not equally involved.
    • Additionally, approving the budget in Westminster requires only an absolute majority of votes in the House of Commons.
    • While a simple majority suffices in the House of Representatives, the Senate still has a 60-vote requirement to close debates before proceeding with a majority vote to pass a bill.

3. Political stakes

    • U.S. and U.K. politicians do not face the same high stakes over budget approval.
    • Members of Congress may eventually pay a political price for how they vote on the budget, but there is no immediate threat to their jobs.
    • U.K. governments can actually fall – be forced to resign or call for new elections – if they lose formal votes of confidence.
    • Since confidence is also implied in other major votes, such as over the annual budget proposals, this raises the stakes for members of Parliament.

4. Distinctive appropriation rules

    • Finally, rules about appropriation also set the U.S. apart.
    • For many decades, federal agencies could still operate despite funding bills not being passed.
    • But it is not a problem that the U.K. experiences because of its distinct rules on appropriation.
    • So-called “votes on account” allow the U.K. government “to obtain an advance on the money they need for the next financial year.”

Federal government should remove GST on residential energy

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 28, 2023
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Heating is a fundamental necessity in Canada.”

Key Points: 
  • Heating is a fundamental necessity in Canada.”
    The CPA has been recommending that the federal government make the GST zero-rated for residential energy since 2021.
  • Currently, residential energy is subject to the GST.
  • “We saw the hardships homeowners faced in paying residential energy bills last winter.
  • The federal government, working with the provinces, can take an important leadership role by eliminating the GST from residential energy bills.

Métis Nation within Alberta Citizens elect new President and Citizens' Council, formally becoming the Otipemisiwak Métis Government

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 22, 2023
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With this election, the constitution that MNA Citizens ratified in a province-wide referendum comes into force, formally transitioning the Métis Nation of Alberta to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government.

Key Points: 
  • With this election, the constitution that MNA Citizens ratified in a province-wide referendum comes into force, formally transitioning the Métis Nation of Alberta to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government.
  • The Otipemisiwak Métis Government Constitution establishes a Citizens Council consisting of a President, Women's Representative, and Youth Representative (each elected province wide) and 22 District Representatives (each elected by the MNA Citizens in their respective districts).
  • With that election now concluded, the MNA has formally transitioned to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government.
  • Today, the Métis Nation within Alberta becomes the Otipemisiwak Métis Government.

Author, ambassador, commentator, critic? It's not always easy to earn a crust as a former PM

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
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Few Australians are losing sleep over how Scott Morrison is going to earn a crust after politics.

Key Points: 
  • Few Australians are losing sleep over how Scott Morrison is going to earn a crust after politics.
  • His continuing presence on the opposition backbench serves as a distraction from the present and reminder of the past.
  • Unfortunately, that past keeps intruding on the present – most recently, in the form of the robodebt royal commission report.
  • Leaving aside the independently wealthy Malcolm Turnbull, Morrison is the first prime minister originally elected to parliament under the post-2004 superannuation arrangements for politicians.
  • Of course, former prime ministers receive many other goodies, such as office facilities and free travel, but that does not earn them a living.
  • He has been shopping himself around and seems to imagine a future on the lecture circuit.
  • That is potentially a nice little earner for an ex-leader, as Tony Blair and Bill Clinton have shown.

The Prime Minister announces the appointment of senators

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 6, 2023
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I am pleased to welcome them as Parliament's newest independent senators and look forward to continue working with all senators as we build a better future for everyone."

Key Points: 
  • I am pleased to welcome them as Parliament's newest independent senators and look forward to continue working with all senators as we build a better future for everyone."
  • With today's announcement, there have been 70 independent appointments to the Senate made on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
  • By convention, senators are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister.
  • Candidate submissions are reviewed by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, which provides recommendations to the Prime Minister.

New amendments to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act receive Royal Assent

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
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"These amendments to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act will support Indigenous communities to advance self-determination and socio-economic development.

Key Points: 
  • "These amendments to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act will support Indigenous communities to advance self-determination and socio-economic development.
  • The First Nations Fiscal Management Act first received Royal Assent on March 23, 2005, and came into force on April 1, 2006.
  • The First Nations Fiscal Management Act is optional legislation that provides First Nations governments with authority over financial management, property taxation and local revenues, and financing for infrastructure and economic development.
  • Since the adoption of the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, 348 First Nations have chosen to participate under the Act.

Statement by Canada’s Building Trades Unions on Sustainable Jobs Legislation

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 15, 2023
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The legislation is aimed at addressing Canada’s transition to a carbon neutral economy, legislation Canada’s Building Trades Unions has been anticipating and advocating for.

Key Points: 
  • The legislation is aimed at addressing Canada’s transition to a carbon neutral economy, legislation Canada’s Building Trades Unions has been anticipating and advocating for.
  • “Canada’s Building Trades Unions welcome Bill C-50 tabled today in the House of Commons.
  • That is why Canada’s Building Trades Unions are pleased that this Government is conducting meaningful consultation with labour on the transition to net-zero, through the Sustainable Partnership Council included in today’s legislation, to ensure workers are front and centre during this transition,” stated Sean Strickland, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions.
  • “Canada is executing its plan to become the clean energy and technology supplier of choice in a net-zero world.