Federal Politics

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland adjusts her notes during a joint news conference in Ottawa, on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Liberals ready to release update on federal finances, outlook for Canadian economy

Finance Department has sent signals that the update won’t have a long list of new spending measures

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland adjusts her notes during a joint news conference in Ottawa, on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens to questions in Ottawa, on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Trudeau won’t rule out federal intervention in Quebec teacher hijab case

Bill 21 bans those in positions of public authority from wearing religious symbols on the job

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens to questions in Ottawa, on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam speaks during a technical briefing on the COVID pandemic in Canada, Friday, January 15, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Canada’s public health system needs renewal, chief officer Dr. Theresa Tam says

‘We were not prepared to face a public health emergency of the magnitude of COVID-19’

Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam speaks during a technical briefing on the COVID pandemic in Canada, Friday, January 15, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Minister of Defence Anita Anand rises during Question Period, Friday, December 3, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Minister apologies to victims of military sex misconduct, says Ottawa failed them

Apologies part of the federal government’s $600-million settlement on multiple class-action lawsuits

Minister of Defence Anita Anand rises during Question Period, Friday, December 3, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
A program in Victoria’s Camosun College is giving automotive technicians the skills the need to work on electric vehicles. (Photo courtesy of Camosun College)

Mandate to enforce EV sales quotas needed by end of next year: Guilbeault

Road transportation accounts for one-fifth of Canada’s total greenhouse-gas emissions

A program in Victoria’s Camosun College is giving automotive technicians the skills the need to work on electric vehicles. (Photo courtesy of Camosun College)
Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Mark Holland speaks during a news conference on November 22, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Liberals raise doubts of high number of vaccine exemptions among Conservatives

House leader calls for Conservative transparency about number of unvaccinated elected officials

Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Mark Holland speaks during a news conference on November 22, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The federal government has confirmed legislation making conversion therapy illegal. Angelo Octaviano said he is proud to be his true self, at a gathering of LGBTQ Prince Rupert community members, supporters and allies to celebrate Pride month on June 19. (Photo: supplied, Kyle Hilliard)

Senate gives speedy passage to bill banning conversion therapy

Bill expected to receive royal assent as early as today

The federal government has confirmed legislation making conversion therapy illegal. Angelo Octaviano said he is proud to be his true self, at a gathering of LGBTQ Prince Rupert community members, supporters and allies to celebrate Pride month on June 19. (Photo: supplied, Kyle Hilliard)
Anthony Rota is escorted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative leader Erin O’Toole to the Speakers chair after being elected as the Speaker of the House of Commons Monday, November 22, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Board exceeded its authority in imposing vaccine mandate for Commons: Speaker

Anthony Rota says only the House itself can make a decision to restrict access

Anthony Rota is escorted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative leader Erin O’Toole to the Speakers chair after being elected as the Speaker of the House of Commons Monday, November 22, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole questions the government during Question Period in the House of Commons, Thursday, November 25, 2021 in Ottawa. Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole will once again allow his caucus to have a free vote on a government bill seeking to ban conversion therapy. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Liberals thank Conservatives who championed conversion therapy ban as it passes House

MPs unanimously adopted a motion presented by a Conservative MP to fast-track the passage

Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole questions the government during Question Period in the House of Commons, Thursday, November 25, 2021 in Ottawa. Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole will once again allow his caucus to have a free vote on a government bill seeking to ban conversion therapy. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Gemma Hickey poses for a photograph in Toronto, Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021. Federal Ministers are preparing to announce the publication of a new bill which would ban practices designed to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity, commonly called “conversion therapy”. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tijana Martin

Canada introduces beefed-up bill banning conversion therapy outright

Previous bill only banned conversion therapy for children and unconsenting adults

Gemma Hickey poses for a photograph in Toronto, Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021. Federal Ministers are preparing to announce the publication of a new bill which would ban practices designed to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity, commonly called “conversion therapy”. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tijana Martin
Green Party Interim Leader Amita Kuttner poses for a photograph in Vancouver, on Thursday, November 25, 2021. Kuttner, a nonbinary astrophysicist who is an expert in black holes, was appointed Wednesday by the Greens’ Federal Council to lead the party until a new leader is elected next year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Amita Kuttner says party must stop infighting, focus on environmental issues

Newly named interim leader of the Green Party of Canada aims to heal fractures

Green Party Interim Leader Amita Kuttner poses for a photograph in Vancouver, on Thursday, November 25, 2021. Kuttner, a nonbinary astrophysicist who is an expert in black holes, was appointed Wednesday by the Greens’ Federal Council to lead the party until a new leader is elected next year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Centre Block of Parliament Hill is pictured in Ottawa on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Liberals, NDP pass motion to resume hybrid format in House of Commons

O’Toole calls Liberal move ‘hypocrisy of the highest order’

The Centre Block of Parliament Hill is pictured in Ottawa on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Newly elected Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis adjusts her mask as she arrives for the first party caucus since the federal election, in Ottawa, Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

MP to fight Liberal plan to axe charity status for anti-abortion pregnancy centres

Former Conservative leadership contender Leslyn Lewis calls plan an ‘illiberal, anti-women policy’

Newly elected Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis adjusts her mask as she arrives for the first party caucus since the federal election, in Ottawa, Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
A pumpjack works at a well head on an oil and gas installation near Cremona, Alta., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Emissions reduction fund poorly designed, misleads on emissions cuts: audit

$675-million Onshore Emissions Reduction Fund not working, review finds

A pumpjack works at a well head on an oil and gas installation near Cremona, Alta., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health Carolyn Bennett at a news conference after the federal cabinet was sworn in, in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. Some provinces are pushing back against an election promise by the Liberals to offer a new mental heath transfer. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Provinces take issue with proposed federal mental health transfer

Despite differing approaches to mental health care, neither Alberta, nor B.C. favour the program

Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health Carolyn Bennett at a news conference after the federal cabinet was sworn in, in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. Some provinces are pushing back against an election promise by the Liberals to offer a new mental heath transfer. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Amita Kuttner, the new interim leader of the Green Party of Canada. (Amita Kuttner/Facebook)

Astrophysicist Amita Kuttner chosen as interim leader of Green Party of Canada

Expert in black holes, youngest and first trans person to lead a federal political party

Amita Kuttner, the new interim leader of the Green Party of Canada. (Amita Kuttner/Facebook)
Chrystia Freeland Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance speaks at the Toronto Global Forum in Toronto, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Liberals introduce bill with targeted pandemic aid for businesses, workers

Proposal: $300 per week to workers off the job because of a pandemic-related lockdown

Chrystia Freeland Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance speaks at the Toronto Global Forum in Toronto, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
A page makes preparations in The House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Conservatives say virtual Commons proceedings allow government to dodge scrutiny

Hybrid proposal that will allow virtual representation being tabled today

A page makes preparations in The House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon delivers the Throne Speech in the Senate in Ottawa on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

COVID-19 recovery top priority in throne speech, but GG provides little detail

Government vows to work on myriad health-care issues highlighted or exacerbated by health crisis

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon delivers the Throne Speech in the Senate in Ottawa on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon delivers the Throne Speech in the Senate in Ottawa on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Governor General centres ‘lifelong journey’ of reconciliation in throne speech

‘I encourage you to seek out the truth, and to learn about the lived realities’

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon delivers the Throne Speech in the Senate in Ottawa on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld