Dan in Ottawa
Is Parliament a priority?
When the Canadian Emergency Reponse Benefit (CERB) program was launched, government of Canada civil servants estimated the total costs of the program would be...
Weakened accountability
This has been a highly unusual time in Ottawa. Last week the leader of the Bloc Quebecois threatened the Liberal government. What was the threat? That the Bloc...
At risk of CERB claw back
In my report last week, I referenced media reports on public servants being directed to ignore potential cases of fraud for the Canadian Emergency Response...
Should we ignore fraud?
There are now currently 7.7 million Canadians collecting the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) across Canada. This CERB benefit program was one that...
Strong opinion on gun ban
I do not normally issue a “spoiler alert” in my weekly reports. However, this week I will focus on the recently announced semi-automatic rifle ban...
Changes to your taxes
Normally at this time of year I would be referencing the April 30 deadline to file your personal income tax. Instead, I will be outlining the changes that have...
Confusion over student aid
This week, not unlike last week, and the week before, the government has announced another “Emergency Assistance” program. This latest program is...
Team Canada approach best
In many ways, the ongoing responses coming out of Ottawa resembles the movie Groundhog Day. In this case, the government makes a major program announcement only...
Proud of West Kelowna
Most elected officials learn to develop a thick skin as criticisms and personal insults/attacks are an unfortunate by-product of public office. This situation...
Ottawa's new plan
After some delay, Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced more information about the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program, this week. The new proposal...
Do you need help?
As I write this, we have just finished a special, all-night session of Parliament, passing Bill C-13 — An Act respecting certain measures in response to...
Virus problem is spreading
When I first wrote about COVID-19 three weeks ago, there were 33 confirmed cases in Canada: 20 in Ontario 12 in British Columbia One in Quebec. Last week,...
World faces a pandemic
It has been seven days since my report on the COVID-19 virus. Since then, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that the virus outbreak is now a...
Should you have the right to know if COVID-19 is in your town?
Although the House of Commons is not sitting this week, the prime minister announced that he is assembling a “COVID-19” cabinet committee to help...
Covered in case of cancer
One of the challenges with so many different events occurring in Ottawa is that some become overlooked. This occurred last week as the third party opposition...
Pipeline: who to listen to?
In Ottawa, the issue drawing the most debate are the illegal blockades in several areas around Canada, relating to the approval of the $6-billion, 670 kilometre...
Liberal energy inequality
This week the House of Commons is adjourned to allow for MPs to be back home in our ridings where we can meet with local citizens and other groups and...
Minority gov'ts don't last
It is interesting to note that this minority parliament is the 14th minority in Canadian history. Many of Canada’s previous minority governments have...
Liberal plan faces audit
With Parliament now actively underway, the new dynamics of having a minority government are beginning to become more defined. Back in late December, despite the...
Airport security changes fly
One of the subjects that has been raised in many recent media headlines is renewed concerns of the expanded rights of United States border agents working in the...