The Standing Senate Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators deposited its 6th report today with the Clerk of the Senate relating to the June 28, 2019, inquiry report of the Senate Ethics Officer concerning former senator Don Meredith. The full report is available online. Call 613-996-5588.
The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry is recommending regulatory changes that maintain Canada’s brand of quality and safety while expanding its reach to international markets. It recommends updates for the Canada Food Inspection Agency and Canada Border Services. It also recommends investing in research and development and using existing mechanisms to support innovation … Read more
An open letter co-signed by Senators and civil society leaders was sent to Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland (University-Rosedale, Ont.), urging the Government of Canada to take action on the Rohingya Genocide. Call 613-996-2106.
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Larry Smith, issued the following statement: “Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day is an opportunity for all Francophones across the country to celebrate the French heritage that makes our culture unique. As someone who proudly hails from Quebec, I have always been thankful for the rich history of our province and our country. La St-Jean is … Read more
The Special Senate Committee on the Charitable Sector released its final report detailing the strategies and regulatory reforms needed to maximize the impact of this sector in communities both here in Canada and around the world. “Charities and non-profits have the potential to create catalytic and transformative changes in our communities. However, the rules regulating charities … Read more
The federal government must give Canadians the means to share their financial data safely and securely by facilitating what’s called open banking, the Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce said in a report. The report describes the phenomenon of open banking and makes recommendations to the federal government regarding how to bring about reforms … Read more
Noting the importance of Bill C-337, An Act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code (sexual assault) in fostering confidence in the judicial system among victims of sexual assaults, Senator Pierre J. Dalphond introduced a motion on June 17 to allow at last the adoption of the bill. “Time is running out and it would be … Read more
Canada obtained a temporary stay of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association’s constitutional challenge of segregation by promising the Supreme Court that external oversight of segregation decisions under proposed Bill C-83 will occur within five days. The Supreme Court’s decision makes clear that Bill C-83 should not pass without Senate amendments that would ensure external review by … Read more
The Senate Standing Committee on Official Languages released a report that recommends the federal government must centralize the application of the Official Languages Act by designating the Treasury Board as the agency responsible for its coordination and clarify some of the principles and duties outlined in the act as part of a long-overdue modernization of the legislation. This … Read more
The Senate’s Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs finds that more research is needed to assess changes to the policy governing veterans’ access to medical cannabis in a report released on June 12. The subcommittee makes five recommendations, including that Veterans Affairs periodically examine the $8.50-per-gram reimbursement rate. The subcommittee also recommends that the federal government make significant … Read more
