The federal government is ordering more than 75 million syringes, alcohol swabs and bandages so it can inoculate Canadians as soon as a COVID-19 vaccine is ready. Procurement Minister Anita Anand says Ottawa intends to stockpile enough vaccine supplies to give at least two doses to every Canadian whenever a vaccine is available. There are […]
The federal Liberals are to lay out today how they see the COVID-19 pandemic affecting government finances for the fiscal year including an estimated deficit and a projected path for the economy. Finance Minister Bill Morneau is to release what the government has styled a fiscal and economic snapshot. The Liberals have regularly updated MPs […]
The parliamentary budget officer says in a new report that this year’s federal deficit could hit $256 billion due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The result, posted this morning, is the combination of an estimated total of $169 billion in federal spending on emergency aid and a historic drop in economic output. The budget office estimates […]
The Liberals are pushing forward with a contentious piece of emergency legislation that would extend COVID-19 aid programs even though Opposition parties appear unlikely to allow it to move forward quickly. Government House leader Pablo Rodriguez says the bill is the quickest and most efficient way to get help to some of the most vulnerable […]
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says it is irresponsible and wrong-headed for the Liberal government to draft a bill that would fine or imprison people who made fraudulent claims under the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. Singh says a bill the Liberals are proposing would hurt the very people that the CERB was designed to help — […]
The unprecedented nature of the economic and health crisis created by COVID-19 means the Conservatives are finessing their approach to their role as the Official Opposition, says leader Andrew Scheer. Shelved — for now — is reflexive opposition to the Liberals because of the parties’ differing philosophies on the role of government, Scheer said in […]
The federal government is asking the provinces and territories for their plans to deal with COVID-19 ahead of a meeting on Friday between the premiers and the prime minister. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland wrote the provinces and territories asking them to inform the federal government of their state of readiness and any shortages they’re […]
With the relationship between the federal government and Western Canada being weakened after the federal election, a task force has been created allowing municipal voices to be heard by Ottawa. Regina Mayor Michael Fougere is one of many on the Western Economic Solutions Taskforce (WEST) which will hopefully allow them to express concerns and ask […]
OTTAWA — Parliament’s budget watchdog says the federal government has room to increase spending and still remain financially sustainable over the long run, though the same can’t be said for many provinces. In a new report, parliamentary budget officer Yves Giroux says based on current policies and programs, the federal government could permanently increase spending […]
WASHINGTON — Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and Saskatchewan’s Scott Moe say they see signs that tensions in their relationship with Ottawa are beginning to ease. The two premiers are part of a delegation that’s in Washington today to celebrate the U.S.-Canada-Mexico trade agreement and promote trade and investment priorities with their American counterparts. Also in […]
