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Parliament returns Wednesday, May 20

In the News

Canadian political news with AI-powered analysis

Crowd on Parliament Hill for national pro-life rally told 'Canada must do better'
Crowd on Parliament Hill for national pro-life rally told 'Canada must do better'
National Post·4d ago

A large group of people gathered in Ottawa to protest Canada's abortion laws. They want the government to make laws that protect unborn babies. This shows how divided people are on the issue of abortion in Canada.

With such a slim majority, can Carney afford to lose Guilbeault?
With such a slim majority, can Carney afford to lose Guilbeault?
National Post·5d ago

The Prime Minister can't afford to lose a key member of his team because his party barely has enough seats to stay in power. If the Prime Minister loses support from his own party, it will be harder to get things done, like making deals with Alberta.

Spy watchdog asks for greater oversight of proposed lawful access regime, including to boost public trust
Spy watchdog asks for greater oversight of proposed lawful access regime, including to boost public trust
Globe and Mail·6d ago·Leans critical

Canada's spy watchdog group wants more power to oversee a new law that would allow police to access people's online data. They think they need more oversight to make sure the law isn't misused and to build trust with Canadians. This is important because it affects how much privacy people have online.

Related BillC-22Law to Let Police Look at Your Online Data
Senate bill proposes giving Ottawa the power to confiscate Russian state assets
Senate bill proposes giving Ottawa the power to confiscate Russian state assets
Globe and Mail·May 11·Leans critical

A new law in Canada might let the government take money and property from Russia. This is because of the conflict in Ukraine. However, some people worry this could make other countries angry or scare away investors.

Related BillS-214Law to Seize and Sell Assets of Hostile Countries
U.S. Congress warns Ottawa’s lawful-access bill could weaken defences against hackers
U.S. Congress warns Ottawa’s lawful-access bill could weaken defences against hackers
Globe and Mail·May 8·Leans critical

Some politicians in the United States are worried about a new Canadian law that would let police access people's online information more easily. They think this law could make it harder to stop hackers and protect people's private information in both Canada and the U.S. This is important because it shows that laws in one country can affect the security of another.

Related BillC-22Law to Let Police Look at Your Online Data
Commons unanimously approves Conservative bill to create registry of debt writeoffs over $2-million
Commons unanimously approves Conservative bill to create registry of debt writeoffs over $2-million
Globe and Mail·May 8·Neutral

The Canadian Parliament voted to create a list of debts over $2 million that the government has decided not to collect. A member of Parliament wanted to make the government more open about these decisions. Now, it will be easier to see how the government handles large unpaid debts.

Related BillC-230Law to Track Government Debt Forgiveness
Carney not planning to allow senators in Liberal caucus, senior government official says
Carney not planning to allow senators in Liberal caucus, senior government official says
Globe and Mail·May 8

A top government person said that Mark Carney, who is likely the new Prime Minister, will not let senators join the Liberal group in Parliament. This is important because it means Carney is sticking with a rule made by a previous leader to keep the Senate separate from the main political parties.

Pension funds should invest more in Canada, Senate finance committee chair says
Pension funds should invest more in Canada, Senate finance committee chair says
Globe and Mail·May 7

A senator thinks that big Canadian pension plans should invest more money in Canada. Instead of creating a new government fund, he believes these pensions should be used to pay for projects here. This could mean more money for Canadian businesses and infrastructure.

Carney to continue using Trudeau-era advisory board on Senate appointments
Carney to continue using Trudeau-era advisory board on Senate appointments
Globe and Mail·May 7

Prime Minister Carney will keep using the same group of advisors that Trudeau used to help pick new Senators. This group suggests people who aren't strongly tied to political parties. There are many empty seats in the Senate, but the Prime Minister hasn't said when they will be filled.

CBC News
Carney to 'take into account' advice on Senate appointments from Trudeau-era committee
CBC News·May 6

Prime Minister Carney said he will consider advice from a special group when choosing new senators. This group was created by a previous Prime Minister to give advice on who should be appointed. It's important because it could change how senators are chosen.

Liberals block motion to make health minister testify on failed e-prescribing program
Liberals block motion to make health minister testify on failed e-prescribing program
National Post·May 5·Leans critical

The Liberal party stopped a vote that would have made the health minister answer questions about a failed electronic prescription program. This program cost taxpayers $200 million, and people want to know what happened to the money. Blocking the vote means it will be harder to get answers about the missing funds.

Related BillS-5Law to Make Health Records Shareable and Stop Tech Companies From Blocking Data
Vigil for missing and murdered Indigenous women draws dozens to Parliament Hill
Vigil for missing and murdered Indigenous women draws dozens to Parliament Hill
Globe and Mail·May 5

People gathered in Ottawa to remember missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Indigenous leaders are worried because government money for programs that help these women might run out soon. They want the government to keep funding these important services.

Ottawa unveils site for national monument to Afghanistan mission
Ottawa unveils site for national monument to Afghanistan mission
Globe and Mail·May 5·Neutral

The government has chosen a location in Ottawa for a monument to honour Canada's mission in Afghanistan. This announcement comes shortly after a bill was introduced that could change how wartime service is defined. The monument will serve as a place to remember and reflect on the sacrifices made during the Afghanistan mission.

Related BillS-246Law to Honor People Who Served During War
How Bailey’s Law and Bill C-16 target intimate partner violence and avoid overlap
How Bailey’s Law and Bill C-16 target intimate partner violence and avoid overlap
Globe and Mail·May 4·Neutral

Two new laws are trying to protect people from violence by their partners. Politicians from different parties agree that both laws are needed to help victims and make sure no one falls through the cracks.

Related BillC-16Law Changes Aim to Protect Children and Speed Up Court Cases
Carney visits Armenia for European summit, bilateral talks
Carney visits Armenia for European summit, bilateral talks
Globe and Mail·May 3

Prime Minister Carney went to Armenia to meet with leaders from Armenia, Poland, and the European Parliament. These meetings are important because Canada wants to work with other countries on shared issues. Talking face-to-face can help build stronger relationships.

Russia is targeting Canada with disinformation, Senate report warns
Russia is targeting Canada with disinformation, Senate report warns
Globe and Mail·Apr 30

A Canadian Senate report says Russia is spreading false information in Canada. They're trying to weaken Canada's allies and cause problems for democracies like ours. This matters because it could affect our trust in important institutions and relationships with other countries.

Carney hits back on B.C. property rights decision, as Conservatives form task force
Carney hits back on B.C. property rights decision, as Conservatives form task force
National Post·Apr 30

The Prime Minister disagrees with a court ruling in British Columbia about property rights. He thinks the court made the wrong decision. This is important because it could change how much control people have over their land and homes.

Out-of-service elevator leaves mother struggling with stroller and children at Parliament station
Out-of-service elevator leaves mother struggling with stroller and children at Parliament station
Ottawa Citizen·Apr 30

A mom with kids and a stroller had trouble at Parliament Station because the elevator wasn't working. This happened just days after an elderly man fell on the stairs at the same station. It shows how important working elevators are for people who have trouble with stairs.

City of Ottawa to reinstate its public staff directory years after shutting it down
City of Ottawa to reinstate its public staff directory years after shutting it down
Ottawa Citizen·Apr 29

Ottawa is bringing back its online staff directory. This means it will be easier for people to find and contact the right person at the city when they have questions or concerns.

‘Bailey’s Law’ clears House of Commons hurdle to toughen intimate partner violence laws
‘Bailey’s Law’ clears House of Commons hurdle to toughen intimate partner violence laws
Global News·Apr 29·Leans supportive

A new law called "Bailey's Law" has passed in the House of Commons. It aims to make laws about violence between partners stronger, especially in cases where someone has a history of abuse. This could mean tougher penalties for abusers and better protection for victims.

Related BillS-242Law to Prevent Violence Between Partners
CBC News
Liberals, Conservatives haggle over a deficit that is both smaller and larger
CBC News·Apr 28·Neutral

The government says they're doing a good job managing money, and the amount Canada owes isn't as bad as expected. But the opposition party doesn't believe them and thinks the government is still spending too much. This matters because how the government spends money affects everyone in Canada.

Related BillC-30Law to Put Spring Economic Plan Into Action
Parents and children rally for Parliament to retable online harms bill with focus on safety
Parents and children rally for Parliament to retable online harms bill with focus on safety
Globe and Mail·Apr 28

Parents and kids gathered to ask the government to bring back a law that would make the internet safer. They shared stories about the dangers they faced online and said it's taking too long to pass this law. They want the government to act quickly to protect people online.

CBC News
Bailey's Law, aimed at changing how Canada addresses intimate partner violence, headed to Senate
CBC News·Apr 27·Neutral

A new law called Bailey's Law is going to the Senate. It's named after a woman who was allegedly killed by her husband. The law aims to change how Canada deals with violence between partners.

Related BillC-16Law Changes Aim to Protect Children and Speed Up Court Cases
CBC News
Liberals formalize majority, move to limit debate on committee restructuring
CBC News·Apr 27

The Liberal party now has a majority government because three new members of parliament were sworn in. This means the Liberals have more power to pass laws without needing support from other parties.

First Nations raise concerns as Métis self-government treaty advances in Parliament
First Nations raise concerns as Métis self-government treaty advances in Parliament
Global News·Apr 25·Leans critical

Some First Nations groups are worried about a new agreement that would give more power to the Métis. They think this agreement could affect the rights that First Nations have under their own treaties with the government. These First Nations are asking the government to stop the agreement from moving forward in Parliament until these issues are sorted out.

Related BillC-21Law Formally Recognizes Red River Métis Self-Government
CBC News
The important questions raised by Parliament's game of musical chairs
CBC News·Apr 25

Politicians in Parliament are arguing, but the fighting raises important questions. They're debating how Canada's government should really work, which affects everyone.

NDP’s only Quebec MP leaving for provincial politics, sources say
NDP’s only Quebec MP leaving for provincial politics, sources say
Globe and Mail·Apr 24

The NDP's only Member of Parliament from Quebec is reportedly leaving federal politics. This means the NDP will have even fewer seats in the Canadian Parliament, making it harder for them to have a strong voice on issues that matter to their supporters.

Politics Insider: Carney says U.S. trade  irritants can be resolved if Canada’s concerns addressed
Politics Insider: Carney says U.S. trade irritants can be resolved if Canada’s concerns addressed
Globe and Mail·Apr 23

Mark Carney, a Canadian politician, thinks Canada and the U.S. can solve their trade problems if the U.S. listens to Canada's worries. Also, a House of Commons committee suggests that Prime Ministers should sell their assets and not use tax havens. This could make leaders seem more trustworthy.

CBC News
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre showcases MPs with new caucus roles
CBC News·Apr 23

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre gave some of his team new jobs. One group will focus on planning for the future in Asia, while another will look into a court decision that some people worry could affect property ownership. This shows what the Conservative party thinks is important.

CBC News
Prime minister should be required to divest assets, says committee
CBC News·Apr 23·Neutral

A government committee thinks the Prime Minister and future leaders should sell off their investments when they get the job. This is because just putting investments in a "blind trust" might not be enough to avoid conflicts of interest. This change could make sure leaders make decisions that are best for the country, not their own wallets.

Related BillC-210Changing the Promise New Politicians Make
B.C. premier says MLA Joan Phillip is ‘very ill,’ asks for prayers
B.C. premier says MLA Joan Phillip is ‘very ill,’ asks for prayers
Global News·Apr 23

The Premier of British Columbia has asked people to pray for MLA Joan Phillip because she is very sick. Phillip has been ill for a few months, but the exact nature of her illness has not been shared with the public. This matters because Phillip is an elected official, and her health affects her ability to represent her community.

Tories, Bloc denounce government’s ‘heavy-handed’ plan to change Commons committees
Tories, Bloc denounce government’s ‘heavy-handed’ plan to change Commons committees
Globe and Mail·Apr 22

The Liberal party wants to change how committees in Parliament work, now that they have more power. Other parties like the Conservatives and Bloc are not happy, saying the Liberals are being too forceful and that they can't do anything to stop it. This matters because committees are where important decisions get made and other parties want to have a say.

Carney government details plans to change Commons committees
Carney government details plans to change Commons committees
Globe and Mail·Apr 22

The government wants to change how committees in Parliament work. They want to add more members from the Liberal party to these committees. This could give the Liberals more power to decide what the committees discuss and investigate.

Liberals to table motion Wednesday aimed at giving them control of parliamentary committees
Liberals to table motion Wednesday aimed at giving them control of parliamentary committees
National Post·Apr 21

The Liberal party wants to change how parliamentary committees work. They want to make sure that they have more members on each committee than other parties because they have the most seats in the House. This could let the Liberals control what the committees discuss and investigate.

CBC News
Senators call on Carney to restore antisemitism envoy, step up fight against hate
CBC News·Apr 21·Neutral

Canadian Senators want the government to do more to fight antisemitism. They are asking the government to bring back a special envoy and create a task force to deal with hate crimes. This is because there has been an increase in hate crimes against Jewish people.

Related BillC-9Law Would Toughen Penalties for Hate Speech and Crimes Targeting Religious or Cultural Sites
Jewish community top target for reported religion-based hate crimes, Senate committee finds
Jewish community top target for reported religion-based hate crimes, Senate committee finds
Globe and Mail·Apr 21·Leans supportive

A Senate committee found that Jewish people are the most common target of hate crimes based on religion in Canada. The committee suggests creating a special group to fight antisemitism. This is important because it shows that antisemitism is a growing problem in Canada and the government is looking for ways to stop it.

Related BillC-9Law Would Toughen Penalties for Hate Speech and Crimes Targeting Religious or Cultural Sites
A 92-year-old fell at Parliament Station. The elevator was out
A 92-year-old fell at Parliament Station. The elevator was out
Ottawa Citizen·Apr 20

A 92-year-old person fell at a train station because the elevator wasn't working. There weren't clear signs to the other elevator, so they tried to use the stairs instead. This shows why it's important to make sure public transit is accessible and easy to use for everyone, especially seniors.

CBC News
Here's the 'experiment' NDP Leader Avi Lewis is trying to run in Canadian politics
CBC News·Apr 18

Avi Lewis, the new leader of the NDP, visited Parliament this week. He talked about his plans for the party, calling it a political "experiment." It's important because it shows how the NDP might change and what they'll focus on in the future.

Conservatives concerned about changes to House of Commons committees
Conservatives concerned about changes to House of Commons committees
Globe and Mail·Apr 17

The Conservative party is worried about changes to how committees in the House of Commons are formed. They believe the number of members from each party on these committees should match how Canadians voted in the last election. This is important because committees study bills and issues, and the Conservatives want to make sure all voices are fairly represented.

NDP to get parliamentary funding boost despite not having official status
NDP to get parliamentary funding boost despite not having official status
Globe and Mail·Apr 16

The NDP, a Canadian political party, will get more money from the government even though they don't have official party status in Parliament. This extra funding will allow them to hire more people to help with research and other important tasks. This could make the NDP a stronger voice in Parliament.

CBC News
Canadian soldier sues Ottawa and U.S. gun maker over accidental shooting
CBC News·Apr 16·Neutral

A Canadian soldier is suing the government and a gun company because his gun went off by itself while in its holster. The soldier says this accident ended his career. This lawsuit raises questions about how safe these guns are, as there have been similar problems reported in the United States.

Related BillC-22Law to Let Police Look at Your Online Data
CBC News
NDP gets parliamentary funding reinstated after last year's historic defeat
CBC News·Apr 15

The NDP political party will get money again to help them run things in Parliament. They lost funding last year because they didn't win enough seats in the election. This money will help them do their job of representing Canadians.

Cree baby takes first steps in historic ‘walking out’ ceremony on Parliament Hill
Cree baby takes first steps in historic ‘walking out’ ceremony on Parliament Hill
Globe and Mail·Apr 15

A Cree baby named Annora Crowe had her "walking out" ceremony on Parliament Hill. This special event, with traditional songs and a teepee, marked her first steps and celebrated Cree culture in a significant location. It shows how Indigenous traditions are being recognized and honored in Canada.

By-elections start Phase 2 of the Carney government
By-elections start Phase 2 of the Carney government
Globe and Mail·Apr 14

The Carney government is moving into a new stage because they have enough seats in Parliament to pass laws easily. This means they can start focusing on their long-term goals and plans for the country.

Liberals secure majority government with sweep of three by-elections
Liberals secure majority government with sweep of three by-elections
Globe and Mail·Apr 14

The Liberal party won all three recent elections, giving them a stronger hold on power in the government. The leader of the party promised to work with others to get important projects done fast. This could mean big changes are coming soon.

Avi Lewis rules out seeking seat from NDP caucus
Avi Lewis rules out seeking seat from NDP caucus
Globe and Mail·Apr 13

Avi Lewis, a leader in the NDP, has said he will not run for a seat in Parliament. He wants to focus on making the NDP stronger as a party. This means he will work behind the scenes instead of being an elected official.

Liberals courting as many as eight more potential floor-crossers, sources say
Liberals courting as many as eight more potential floor-crossers, sources say
Globe and Mail·Apr 11

The Liberal party might be trying to get more politicians from other parties to join them. If this happens, it could give them more power in the government, maybe even a majority. This is important because it could change how the country is run.

Politics Insider: New NDP leader shuffles his six-person Commons caucus
Politics Insider: New NDP leader shuffles his six-person Commons caucus
Globe and Mail·Apr 10

The new leader of the NDP party in Canada has changed around the jobs of his small group of Members of Parliament. Because the NDP has a small number of people in Parliament, each person has to be in charge of more than one issue.

Don Davies to act as NDP parliamentary lead after new leader Avi Lewis announces critic roles
Don Davies to act as NDP parliamentary lead after new leader Avi Lewis announces critic roles
Globe and Mail·Apr 10

Don Davies, a member of parliament, will be the main person speaking for the NDP in the House of Commons. This is because the new leader of the NDP, Avi Lewis, is going to focus on improving the party before trying to get a seat in parliament himself. Davies will help the NDP get their ideas across while Lewis works on making the party stronger.

After five floor crossings, how close are the Liberals to a majority?
After five floor crossings, how close are the Liberals to a majority?
Globe and Mail·Apr 9

A member of Parliament, Marilyn Gladu, switched from one political party to another, joining the Liberals. This move makes it a bit easier for the Liberals to win more than half the seats in Parliament and have a majority government, which means they could more easily pass laws.