Federal Politics Journal

The Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Marc Mayrand, announced today that the registered parties' fourth quarter financial returns for 2009 are now available on the Elections Canada Web site.

The chief agent of a registered party that is entitled to a quarterly allowance must submit a quarterly return on the party's contributions and transfers to the Chief Electoral Officer within 30 days of the end of the quarter.

Read full article: 'Registered Political Parties' Fourth Quarter Financial Returns for 2009 Now On-line'

Prime Minister Harper’s prorogation of the 40th Parliament last December for the reasons he has given sets a dangerous precedent. And the op-ed piece by Paul Benoit in The Ottawa Citizen on January 15th failed miserably in its attempt to refute an earlier article written by 170 university professors who accused the Prime Minister of undermining our system of democratic government.

The Professors were right and Mr. Benoit reflects the problem we have with Harper’s bias towards American philosophies. He works with Hill & Knowlton, one of the largest public relation firms in the U.S. In 2009 Harper’s government paid them over $132,000 for their services as “Management Consultants”. Will that op-ed be part of their next bill?

Harper states the government needs time to recalibrate. He wants time to develop new policies and programs. But that is what Parliament and its committees are designed to do! Why send the MPs and Senators home when the government is looking for new ideas?

Read full article: 'Prime Minister Harper is acting like a ‘King of Olde’'

New Democrat Employment Insurance Critic Yvon Godin (Acadie—Bathurst) is calling on the Minister of Human Resources to help the more than 500,000 unemployed who have still not found work and who have exhausted their employment insurance benefits.

“Without an effective job creation strategy, the unemployed will need government assistance. The government cannot simply offload the problem onto the provinces,” said Yvon Godin. “People who are unemployed and without employment insurance benefits still have to pay their bills and pay rent. Since social assistance benefits are just above the poverty line, there is cause for concern about these families.”

Read full article: 'New Democrats call for extension of EI benefits'

New Democrat Sports Critic Glenn Thibeault (Sudbury) and Deputy Leader Thomas Mulcair (Outremont) called today for a Royal Commission on violence in sports.

New Democrats made this demand on behalf of the millions of people concerned about the increase in disgraceful and violent behaviour in sport, and the inability of professional and amateur leagues to solve the problem.

“It is high time this issue is taken seriously. League authorities need to explain why a savage attack, which would result in charges of aggravated assault anywhere else, warrants nothing but a few game suspensions,” said Thibeault.

Read full article: 'New Democrats call for Royal Commission on violence in sports'

Liberals are working on Parliament Hill today by hosting a roundtable on international development, with an eye to repairing Canada’s global reputation damaged by the Harper Conservatives.

“Under the Harper government, the world has taken a different view of Canada – and it’s not a positive one,” said Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff.

“We once had a proud reputation as the most generous, compassionate and giving nation for coming to the aid of the world’s vulnerable. We need to return to that position of prominence, not out of pride, but because helping our global neighbours in need is the right thing to do.”

Read full article: ' Liberals are working to better Canada’s international development assistance'

Liberal MPs are calling on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to assure Canadians that he won’t change Canada’s long-standing tradition of recognizing women’s reproductive rights and access to contraception as part of his maternal health initiative, and will work in full partnership with the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).

Conservative MP Brad Trost has petitioned the House of Commons to cut Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) funding to the IPFF.

Read full article: 'Liberals ask Harper to keep ideology out of maternal health initiative'

Black History Month is an important opportunity to celebrate the enormous contributions that Black Canadians have made to Canadian society. "This month, all Canadians can take some time to learn about the history of Black people in our country and how their presence and achievements have influenced our culture," said Green Leader Elizabeth May.

February has been officially designated Black History Month in Canada since 1995, growing out of a long history of unofficial celebrations of the contributions of Black Canadians.

Read full article: 'Greens Celebrate Black History Month'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today filled five vacancies in the Senate. The appointments are another step toward implementing the Government’s tackling-crime agenda and respecting the will of the democratically-elected House of Commons.

Appointed are Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu (QC), Bob Runciman (ON), Vim Kochhar (ON), Elizabeth (Beth) Marshall (NL) and Rose-May Poirier (NB). These appointments give the Government a plurality of seats in the Upper House.

Read full article: 'PM names five outstanding Canadians to Senate'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today underlined the importance of Newfoundland and Labrador’s construction industry in building Canada’s future prosperity as Canada prepares to implement the second phase of its Economic Action Plan.

“In executing the first phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the importance of the men and women of the construction industry in Newfoundland and Labrador, and throughout the country, cannot be overstated. As we prepare to launch the second phase, that role will become no less essential,” said Prime Minister Harper in a speech to the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association.

Read full article: 'PM pays tribute to those building Canada’s future'

« On pouvait malheureusement s’attendre à ce que le gouvernement fédéral ne respecte pas l’avis des experts en matière de lutte aux changements climatiques, mais jamais on n’aurait pu penser que le gouvernement ne respecterait même pas ses propres objectifs, déjà largement insuffisants par rapport à ceux établis par le protocole de Kyoto », a commenté aujourd’hui le porte-parole du Bloc Québécois en matière d’environnement et député de Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, Bernard Bigras.

Le député du Bloc Québécois se dit ainsi consterné par l’annonce par le ministre fédéral de l’Environnement, Jim Prentice, des intentions de son gouvernement d’adopter une cible de réduction de 17 % d’ici 10 ans de ses émissions de gaz à effet de serre, avec 2005 comme année de référence. Cet objectif d’une réduction des émissions de l’ordre de 20 %, avec l’année de référence de 2006, constitue un recul en rapport avec l’objectif que les conservateurs ont véhiculé jusqu’ici.

Read full article: 'Ottawa abaisse encore une fois ses objectifs de réduction des GES'

New Democrat consumer protection critic Glenn Thibeault is disappointed that consumers will have to pay for the shortcomings of their government once again.

As Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s 60-day consultation period on his government's voluntary credit card and debit card code of conduct drew to a close yesterday, several business groups lobbied for businesses to be allowed to charge consumers an extra fee to cover rising transaction fees.

Read full article: 'Consumers pay price for government inaction'

Following the outpouring of generosity towards the Haitian earthquake relief effort, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff called on the federal government to extend last year’s tax deadline for charitable donations that benefit Haiti.

“Canadians have been touched by the sheer magnitude of this crisis, and have given generously to help our friends in Haiti,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “But the need for immediate humanitarian assistance remains staggering, while the task of rebuilding Haiti looms. We should do everything we can to encourage more giving.”

Read full article: 'Liberals propose 2009 tax year eligibility for Haiti quake donations'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced changes to the Ministry in preparation for a Speech from the Throne and the implementation of Phase II of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

“Just as it was this past year, our priority in the new session of Parliament will continue to be rapid and effective implementation of Canada’s Economic Action Plan to benefit communities, workers and businesses,” said the Prime Minister. “Investments in infrastructure and initiatives to protect existing jobs and create new ones must continue. At the same time, we must look ahead to future challenges. These include restoring a balanced budget once our economy is fully recovered and building our economic future.”

Read full article: 'Prime Minister announces changes to the Ministry'

À l’occasion de l’ouverture du caucus du Bloc Québécois tenu à Québec, le chef du Bloc Québécois, Gilles Duceppe, s’est fait un devoir d’exiger et d’obtenir du Canada qu’il propose, qu’il contribue à définir, à financer et à mettre en œuvre un plan de reconstruction d’Haïti dès la rencontre de Montréal, le 25 janvier prochain.

Read full article: 'Plan Marshall de reconstruction d’Haïti : le Canada doit prendre le leadership'

Registered political party fourth quarter allowances for the 2009 fiscal year have been paid. These allowances are based on the results of the 40th general election of October 14, 2008.

Registered political parties that meet voting thresholds in a general election are eligible to receive quarterly allowances. The current annual allowance, adjusted for inflation, is $1.999 per valid vote ($1.75 x 1.142). This annual allowance is paid in quarterly installments.


Read full article: 'Registered Political Parties Receive Fourth Quarter Allowances'