Federal Politics

Terry Beech and his family arrive for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reorganized his front bench Wednesday in a massive federal cabinet shuffle, he also created a single new job: minister of citizens’ services. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

What is citizens’ services, and what should be expected from its new minister?

Focus of new post is getting stuff done and delivering goods and services to Canadians

Terry Beech and his family arrive for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reorganized his front bench Wednesday in a massive federal cabinet shuffle, he also created a single new job: minister of citizens’ services. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

New cabinet shifts focus to economy and housing ahead of next election

Poilievre blamed rising inflation, crime rates and a lack of affordable housing squarely on Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
<div>Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is handing over the federal housing file to Sean Fraser, who was previously immigration minister. Fraser arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang</div>

New housing minister says closing door on newcomers won’t solve housing crunch

‘The answer is, at least in part, to continue to build more stock’

<div>Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is handing over the federal housing file to Sean Fraser, who was previously immigration minister. Fraser arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang</div>
Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of First Nations Child and Family Caring Society holds a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has approved a $23.4-billion settlement agreement for First Nations children, youth and families harmed by the federal government’s underfunding of child welfare services.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Human Rights Tribunal approves $23B First Nations child welfare settlement

Those who qualify for the settlement will receive at least $40,000, court approval needed

Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of First Nations Child and Family Caring Society holds a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has approved a $23.4-billion settlement agreement for First Nations children, youth and families harmed by the federal government’s underfunding of child welfare services.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Journalist and politican Pat Carney of Saturna Island, British Colunbia, stands with Governor General David Johnston after she was invested into the Order of Canada as member during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Friday, September 16, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand

Former senator, MP and journalist Pat Carney is dead at the age of 88

Carney was the first female Conservative MP and senator from B.C.

Journalist and politican Pat Carney of Saturna Island, British Colunbia, stands with Governor General David Johnston after she was invested into the Order of Canada as member during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Friday, September 16, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand
Carla Qualtrough, then minister of employment, workforce development and disability inclusion, speaks on Parliament Hill on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

B.C.’s Qualtrough handed tough portfolio as Canada’s new sports minister

Former employment minister replaces Pascale St-Onge in a portfolio in crisis

Carla Qualtrough, then minister of employment, workforce development and disability inclusion, speaks on Parliament Hill on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is getting ready to shuffle his cabinet today, as he sets the groundwork for a team that will likely lead the Liberals into the next election. Trudeau rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

UPDATE: Trudeau announces major cabinet shake-up, 7 new ministers

Liberal say shakeup is a renewed focus on the economy and affordability

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is getting ready to shuffle his cabinet today, as he sets the groundwork for a team that will likely lead the Liberals into the next election. Trudeau rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Paul Bernardo arrives at the provincial courthouse in the back of a police van in Toronto in a November 3, 1995 file photo. The federal Conservatives say Canadians angry over Bernardo's move to a medium-security prison have a Liberal government law to blame.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

How Paul Bernardo’s prison transfer renewed old legal debate over two words

Liberal legislation to ‘least restrictive’ restored language that had been there from the beginning

Paul Bernardo arrives at the provincial courthouse in the back of a police van in Toronto in a November 3, 1995 file photo. The federal Conservatives say Canadians angry over Bernardo's move to a medium-security prison have a Liberal government law to blame.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra speaks at a news conference on proposed changes to air passenger rights, in Ottawa, on Monday, April 24, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

4 federal ministers won’t seek re-election, cabinet shuffle coming Wednesday

Trudeau has been holding private meetings in the capital this week

Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra speaks at a news conference on proposed changes to air passenger rights, in Ottawa, on Monday, April 24, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Ottawa is restricting the conditions under which it will allow subsidies to the fossil fuel industry. A pumpjack draws out oil from a well head near Calgary, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Ottawa reveals conditions for allowing future fossil fuel subsidies

Environment minister releases six rules that are to shape how Canada supports the industry

Ottawa is restricting the conditions under which it will allow subsidies to the fossil fuel industry. A pumpjack draws out oil from a well head near Calgary, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Mental Health Minister Carolyn Bennett says the government is putting $156 million over three years toward a new three-digit suicide-prevention hotline, which is expected to launch Nov. 30. Bennett rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, June 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Mental health minister puts $156M toward fall launch of 988 crisis hotline

Free trained responders will be available to help starting at the end of November

Mental Health Minister Carolyn Bennett says the government is putting $156 million over three years toward a new three-digit suicide-prevention hotline, which is expected to launch Nov. 30. Bennett rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, June 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks two-year-old River Beatty, and his mother Catherine at the Boys and Girls clubs in Kingston, Ont., on Thursday July 20, 2023. Families eligible for the Canada Child Benefit are receiving their July payments today, which includes a hefty cost-of-living adjustment. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg

Canada Child Benefit hailed for reducing poverty, families get payment boost

July payments Thursday will include a hefty cost-of-living adjustment

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks two-year-old River Beatty, and his mother Catherine at the Boys and Girls clubs in Kingston, Ont., on Thursday July 20, 2023. Families eligible for the Canada Child Benefit are receiving their July payments today, which includes a hefty cost-of-living adjustment. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg
Paul Bernardo is shown in this courtroom sketch during Ontario court proceedings via video link in Napanee, Ont., on October 5, 2018. The Correctional Service of Canada is set to unveil the results of a review into the controversial transfer of notorious serial killer Paul Bernardo to a medium-security prison. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Greg Banning

Bernardo to stay in medium-security prison as corrections defends transfer

Corrections commissioner said transfer ‘sound and followed all applicable laws and policies’

Paul Bernardo is shown in this courtroom sketch during Ontario court proceedings via video link in Napanee, Ont., on October 5, 2018. The Correctional Service of Canada is set to unveil the results of a review into the controversial transfer of notorious serial killer Paul Bernardo to a medium-security prison. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Greg Banning
A transport truck carries cargo containers from the Centerm Container Terminal at port in Vancouver, on Friday, July 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. ports in limbo as union removes weekend strike notice

International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada did not elaborate on reasons for change

A transport truck carries cargo containers from the Centerm Container Terminal at port in Vancouver, on Friday, July 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Striking International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers picket at a port entrance in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, July 4, 2023. British Columbia's ports are facing an uncertain future after the longshore workers union rejected a tentative mediated deal and resumed strike action that had been put to a temporary halt only last week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Trudeau convenes crisis group over B.C. port strike as union gives notice

Lack of 72-hour notice meant Tuesday walkout ruled illegal

Striking International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers picket at a port entrance in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, July 4, 2023. British Columbia's ports are facing an uncertain future after the longshore workers union rejected a tentative mediated deal and resumed strike action that had been put to a temporary halt only last week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Striking International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers picket at a port entrance in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, July 4, 2023. British Columbia’s ports are facing an uncertain future after the longshore workers union rejected a tentative mediated deal and resumed strike action that had been put to a temporary halt only last week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Federal Labour Minister says renewed port workers strike illegal

O’Regan: union ordered to cease and desist any strike activity because of lack of 72 hours notice

Striking International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers picket at a port entrance in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, July 4, 2023. British Columbia’s ports are facing an uncertain future after the longshore workers union rejected a tentative mediated deal and resumed strike action that had been put to a temporary halt only last week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A view of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant and the Dnipro river on the other side of Nikopol, Ukraine are shown on August 22, 2022. Canada is dusting off and updating emergency protocols to deal with fallout from a possible tactical nuclear exchange in Europe or the spread of radiation across the ocean from a Ukrainian power plant explosion. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Evgeniy Maloletka

Nuclear threat from Ukraine war prompts Ottawa to update catastrophe plans

Feds updating a highly secret plan to ensure it can continue to function in a severe crisis

A view of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant and the Dnipro river on the other side of Nikopol, Ukraine are shown on August 22, 2022. Canada is dusting off and updating emergency protocols to deal with fallout from a possible tactical nuclear exchange in Europe or the spread of radiation across the ocean from a Ukrainian power plant explosion. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Evgeniy Maloletka
A transport truck carries cargo containers from the Centerm Container Terminal at port in Vancouver, on Friday, July 14, 2023. British Columbia port workers are back off the job after a tentative agreement was between the employers association and the workers union was rejected. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Renewed B.C. port strike action leads to speculation about federal reaction

‘We have respected the collective bargaining process, but we need our ports operating’: ministers

A transport truck carries cargo containers from the Centerm Container Terminal at port in Vancouver, on Friday, July 14, 2023. British Columbia port workers are back off the job after a tentative agreement was between the employers association and the workers union was rejected. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Young Creek wildfire is seen from the air in an undated handout photo. The B.C. Wildfire Service says wildfire activity over the weekend saw more than a dozen new blazes sparked since Sunday, while gusty winds saw one out-of-control blaze grow and close a highway in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

First troops in B.C. for wildfire fight, as helicopters, Hercules readied

Reconnaissance team is on the ground in Prince George to help support firefighters on front lines

The Young Creek wildfire is seen from the air in an undated handout photo. The B.C. Wildfire Service says wildfire activity over the weekend saw more than a dozen new blazes sparked since Sunday, while gusty winds saw one out-of-control blaze grow and close a highway in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service, *MANDATORY CREDIT*
An independent scientific adviser has resigned from a Health Canada committee on pesticide management, citing a lack of transparency and scientific oversight. A giant Canadian flag hangs on the side of a government office building in downtown Ottawa, Tuesday, June 30, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

‘False sense of security’: B.C. scientist quits as national pesticide watchdog

Pesticide regulation ‘obsolete,’ protects industry, scientific adviser says in resignation

An independent scientific adviser has resigned from a Health Canada committee on pesticide management, citing a lack of transparency and scientific oversight. A giant Canadian flag hangs on the side of a government office building in downtown Ottawa, Tuesday, June 30, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld