Parliament

ECO Canada employment program helps youth find jobs in natural resource sector

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 5, 2023
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STIP – Green Jobs provides funding to employers in the natural resources sector across Canada, including in remote and Northern communities, to offer youth with work experience and skills training opportunities that contribute to positive environmental outcomes.

Key Points: 
  • STIP – Green Jobs provides funding to employers in the natural resources sector across Canada, including in remote and Northern communities, to offer youth with work experience and skills training opportunities that contribute to positive environmental outcomes.
  • This program hopes to fill these jobs within the natural resources sectors to protect the environment and have a positive environmental outcome.
  • The Youth in Natural Resources Program provides training and funding for young professionals to help them transition into the workforce and gain experience in the natural resources sector.
  • Learn more and apply for the Youth in Natural Resources Program today.

View from The Hill: Dutton would get a lashing if Voice lost, but the implications would be more serious for Albanese

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Monday, June 5, 2023
Government, Human voice, Trauma, Racism, Advertising, PM, Cold climate, Parliament, Indigenous peoples, Life, Face, Constitution, History, 1998 Australian Constitutional Convention, Renewable energy

It doesn’t point to doom for the Voice, but it does suggest the referendum is in a fight of its life.

Key Points: 
  • It doesn’t point to doom for the Voice, but it does suggest the referendum is in a fight of its life.
  • This poll comes in the context of a drift downwards in the “yes” vote in other polling.
  • No one can doubt Anthony Albanese’s deep and personal commitment to the Voice, which will be the most important social issue he promotes this term.
  • On a political level, though, he may calculate that even if his gamble fails, the fallout will favour him.
  • Dutton has the most to lose, so the reasoning goes, whatever the result.
  • One course would be to legislate the Voice regardless, but that could be seen as flying in the face of the vote.

How we can avoid political misinformation in the lead-up to the Voice referendum

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 5, 2023
SBS, Apartheid, Plague, Conversation, Senate, Election commission, Education, Human voice, Politics, House of Representatives, Trump, Commission, Morrison, British High Commission, Human, Emotion, COVID, History, Competence, Language, Government, Parliament, Thought, Indigenous Australians, Country Liberal Party, Intention, Representative, Advertising, Uluru, Risk, Australian Electoral Commission, Hearing, ABC, QAnon, First Nations, Institute, Growth, House, Institute of Public Affairs, Social media, Legislation, Vaccine, Whaling

This is a timely change, as we are seeing an increase of both disinformation and misinformation being spread about the First Nations Voice to Parliament.

Key Points: 
  • This is a timely change, as we are seeing an increase of both disinformation and misinformation being spread about the First Nations Voice to Parliament.
  • Both refer to the spread of political information that is false and misleading.
  • Read more:
    The Voice isn't apartheid or a veto over parliament – this misinformation is undermining democratic debate

What misinformation have we been hearing so far?

    • He claimed the advertisement “Our Vote, Our Future” had “crossed the line” and leans in favour of the “yes” campaign.
    • This is an example of misinformation.
    • This exact slogan has been used by the electoral commission to encourage Indigenous people to enrol to vote in previous elections over the years.

The dangers of misinformation and how to identify it

    • Distrust and scepticism are healthy to a degree, but extreme distrust can fuel harmful conspiracy theories.
    • These conspiracies have placed lives at risk, as shown throughout the COVID pandemic, whereby unfounded medical treatments and fear of vaccines took centre stage in many misinformation campaigns.
    • Identifying misinformation in politics can be complex because it is a space where regular debates occur.
    • Many of those who peddled Trump’s election lies stood to be promoted, or had electoral self-interest in pursuing the line.

How can you protect yourself against misinformation?

    • When you hear commentary around the Voice, be on the lookout for language that may be used to elicit strong emotional responses, instead of encouraging logical thinking.
    • Words such as “apartheid”, “divided” or even “racist” may be used intentionally to elicit strong emotions.
    • However, there are resources available that can help with navigating this referendum and making an informed choice:


    As the referendum date approaches, and each of the campaigns seek to persuade you, remember some claims may evoke emotions, or surprise, and their motivations may not always be truthful. A healthy dose of scepticism, and a search for the truth, will help you to find your own voice in this important referendum.

Tanzania has moved its capital from Dar after a 50-year wait - but is Dodoma ready?

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, June 4, 2023
Pressure, Statehouse, Travel, Housing, Education, Health, Method, Health care, Water supply, History, Person, Government, Parliament, Apathy, Population, Efficiency, Time, Growth, Financial management, House, Socialism, Population growth, Airline, Management, Construction, Tourism, Renewable energy

Tanzania designated Dodoma as its new capital in place of the seaside city of Dar es Salaam following a public referendum 50 years ago.

Key Points: 
  • Tanzania designated Dodoma as its new capital in place of the seaside city of Dar es Salaam following a public referendum 50 years ago.
  • Since then, the country has made small steps towards this goal – including the relocation of Parliament in 2017 – but Dodoma remained the national capital only in name.

What’s the background to Tanzania’s capital city relocation?

    • To take advantage of Dar es Salaam’s protected harbour, the German government chose Dar es Salaam as the capital of German East Africa rather than the well-established port of Bagamoyo a mere 60km north.
    • The first president of Tanzania, Julius Kambarage Nyerere, announced the planned move from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma in 1973.
    • It was decided that Dar es Salaam would continue to serve as the nation’s principal port and commercial capital.
    • Dodoma was a capital nobody desired, and some called it a political hoax or a white elephant project.

Why was the relocation necessary?

    • Moving the capital aimed to redistribute some of the population and ease pressure on resources and public services in Dar es Salaam.
    • The rate of population growth in Dar es Salaam region has decreased from 5.6% in 2012 to 2.1% in 2022.
    • Uneven development: Tanzania’s development was heavily concentrated in Dar es Salaam and other coastal regions.

Why has it taken so long?

    • Despite the clear benefits, the relocation process has been slow due to a combination of political, economic, and logistical factors.
    • But the 50-year journey culminated on 20 May 2023, with the opening of the new State House building in Chamwino, Dodoma.

What challenges does Dodoma face as the new capital?

    • Two districts in Dodoma region, Dodoma and Chamwino, comprise the new capital city with roughly 765,179 and 486,176 people respectively.
    • Service provision in Dodoma has been improving but still lags behind Dar es Salaam.
    • It is anticipated that by the end of 2023, more than 1,500 officials will have moved to Dodoma as part of the relocation.
    • Despite these efforts by the government, Dodoma might not be fully ready to handle a massive population influx from other regions.

What can Tanzania learn from other African countries?

    • The country can also learn from South Africa’s approach of developing more than one city as a capital.
    • Tanzania should continue to invest in the development of Dar es Salaam as an economic hub and maximise its growth potential.
    • By considering these lessons, Tanzania can ensure a successful transition, and promote long-term growth and development in Dodoma and the whole country.

Prime Minister announces appointment to the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 2, 2023
Intelligence, Small business, Intelligence Committee, Democracy, Senate, Commons, Communication, The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Quebec, Whitehorse, Yukon Legislative Assembly, Royal assent, Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, Parliament, Committee, Security Intelligence Service, Government of Canada, Annual report, House, Female, Commerce, Communications Security Establishment

The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians is a committee that includes representatives from all recognized parties in the House of Commons and from groups in the Senate.

Key Points: 
  • The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians is a committee that includes representatives from all recognized parties in the House of Commons and from groups in the Senate.
  • "Today, I announced the appointment of Senator Duncan to the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians.
  • With Senator Duncan's appointment, the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians now includes:
    The Honourable Patricia (Pat) Duncan, Senate
    The Committee was first created under the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians Act, which received Royal Assent on June 22, 2017.
  • The Secretariat of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians assists the Committee in fulfilling its review mandate.

Press release - MEPs endorse plan to provide more ammunition for Ukraine

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 2, 2023
Face, EPP, Member of the European Parliament, ASAP, European Commission, Parliament, RO, Map, Council, European, Armed Services Procurement Act, Legislation, Arms industry

The Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) aims to accelerate the delivery of ammunition and missiles to Ukraine and to help member states restock their arsenals.

Key Points: 
  • The Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) aims to accelerate the delivery of ammunition and missiles to Ukraine and to help member states restock their arsenals.
  • The European Commission will identify, map, and continuously monitor the availability of these defence products, their components, and the corresponding raw materials inputs.
  • The effectiveness of this regulation will be evaluated by mid-2024, taking into account the evolution of the security context.
  • MEPs will now start negotiations with Council, with the aim of reaching a political agreement, which MEPs would then vote on in plenary in July.

Press release - MEPs want better protection for quality agricultural products

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 2, 2023
Online, Food, European Parliament, S&D, G.I., European, Commission, EPP, Farmer, Geographical indication, Member of the European Parliament, European Commission, Parliament, DE, Certification, EUR, Conference on the Future of Europe, Council, Agriculture, GI, News, Conference, EUIPO, Asset management, EU

Geographical indications -intellectual property rights that identify products having qualities, characteristics or a reputation due to natural and human factors linked to their place of origin- should be better protected online, MEPs say.

Key Points: 
  • Geographical indications -intellectual property rights that identify products having qualities, characteristics or a reputation due to natural and human factors linked to their place of origin- should be better protected online, MEPs say.
  • An alert system monitoring the registration of domain names should be set by the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) for this purpose.
  • Parliament demands that GIs should be better protected in processed products.
  • According to MEPs, the Commission has unique agricultural expertise and should therefore continue administering the GIs system, rather than the EUIPO.

Press release - Parliament wants to make EU textiles and clothing industry greener

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 2, 2023
People, Sustainability, 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse, Habit, European Parliament, S&D, Commission, Microplastics, Member of the European Parliament, European Green Deal, Waste framework directive, Recycling, Parliament, DE, Disaster, Collection, EU Strategy for the South Caucasus, Western world, Clothing, Conference on the Future of Europe, Textile, Environment, Conference, Legislation, Cryptocurrency, EU

On Thursday, Parliament adopted recommendations for the EU strategy for sustainable and circular textiles, with 600 votes in favour, 17 against and 16 abstentions.

Key Points: 
  • On Thursday, Parliament adopted recommendations for the EU strategy for sustainable and circular textiles, with 600 votes in favour, 17 against and 16 abstentions.
  • The text calls for textile products sold in the EU to be more durable, easier to reuse, repair and recycle.
  • Their production should respect human, social and labour rights, the environment and animal welfare throughout the supply chain.
  • MEPs also want EU and national measures to put an end to “fast fashion”.

Press release - MeToo: MEPs call for more to be done to tackle sexual harassment in the EU

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 2, 2023
Review, Violence, MeToo movement, Crime, Awareness, European Parliament, European, COVID-19, Member of the European Parliament, Migration Advisory Committee, Parliament, MEP, EP, Harassment, Legislation, Private investigator, Nursing, EU

On Thursday, MEPs adopted the report by 468 votes in favour, 17 against and 125 abstentions.

Key Points: 
  • On Thursday, MEPs adopted the report by 468 votes in favour, 17 against and 125 abstentions.
  • Parliament calls on member states to pro-actively introduce legislation and policies that tackle sexual violence and harassment.
  • MEPs want a common EU approach, reiterating their call for the EU to identify gender-based violence as a new area of crime and for sexual harassment to be a criminal offence.
  • Sexual and psychological harassment cases in Parliament are still under-reported, MEPs point out, because victims do not use the existing channels for multiple reasons.