Dan in Ottawa
Pandemic consequences
Each week, when the House of Commons is in session, I attempt to provide an overview on some of the events going on. Sometimes MPs will know well in advance...
PM lacks confidence
As I write this week’s report, we are in a tense situation in Ottawa as there is a serious threat of a possible fall election. This raises the obvious...
Single-use plastic ban
One of the challenges for any government is what is referred to as “getting your message out.” For example, with so many different media stories in...
What are your priorities?
With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau having prorogued Parliament, a situation was created where the government must now start over in submitting bills and...
Massive failure by PM
Before Prime Minister Justin Trudeau prorogued Parliament in August, it was not set to resume regular sittings until Sept. 21 Once the PM broke his promise not...
PM: Deja vu all over again
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recycled his broken promises into the Liberal government throne speech Wednesday. For those unfamiliar with what a throne speech...
Poor forecast for VHF?
The Okanagan VHF weather transmitter network might be turned off. People who operate a VHF radio will no doubt know that, for many decades, Environment Canada...
MP in shadow cabinet
Erin O’Toole, the new Official Opposition leader, appointed his shadow cabinet this week. I have been honoured to be named as shadow minister for...
Your information isn't safe
In my November 2018 MP report, I focused on newly discovered revelations that Statistics Canada was: “demanding access to certain Canadians personal...
Libs hide EI accounts status
I am writing from Ottawa because the House of Commons special COVID-19 Committee was scheduled to sit this week and we would have the opportunity to hold the...
PM breaks another promise
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asked Governor General Julie Payette to prorogue Parliament. What does this mean? Prorogation is a parliamentary procedure...
PM hiding from Parliament?
Back in May, the Trudeau Liberal government announced its preference for four summer sittings of the House of Commons' special COVID committee. These...
COVID app not perfect
There are times, despite efforts to the contrary, that government at all levels end up running into situations where there is a no-win scenario. Case in point,...
Winery taxes popping?
While it would be relatively easy to cover the latest developments of the WE Charity Foundation, I would rather focus on outcomes of government policies. More...
Response to COVID-19
The House of Commons reconvened briefly this week to allow Parliament to pass Bill C-20: “An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures.” Bill C-20...
WE have a problem
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized this week for not having recused himself from a cabinet decision where he was in conflict of interest. The cabinet...
Fiscal sticker shock
The country wanted a fiscal update, but the Liberal government delivered a fiscal snapshot. There was a growing demand for a fiscal update of the federal...
Happy Canada Day!
Canada Day has long been one of my favourite days of the year. It is the one day where we, as a country, come together to celebrate all that makes us proud...
CERB clawback confusion
Some citizens currently receiving the CERB benefit were shocked and alarmed to receive news this week that they “will not receive a (CERB) payment when...
Heading back in to work
This week, the government announced that the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will be extended by a further eight weeks, which means the benefits will...