As the provinces line up to denounce the government move to cut off certain health benefits to certain refugees, Jason Kenney continues to argue that they’re wrong. Never mind that he’s creating arbitrary inequalities that will be subject to court challenges, or that his pandering to a populist base ignores the fact that these refugees can’t have the same care as other Canadians because they’re not allowed to work, and thus can’t earn the money necessary for the care they require.
Here are six things that will change on July 1st as new laws come into effect.
Even though the bill on taking wine across provincial borders has now received royal assent, a myriad of provincial laws and regulations still makes this a fraught proposition. (Lowering interprovincial trade barriers – a government priority since 1867!)
The NDP wants Vic Toews to call on the RCMP to investigate Dean Del Mastro. I’m sure that Toews will get right on that.
Speaking of Vic Toews, in his reflections on the past year he denies making any missteps, and even crows that he was right and his critics were wrong on the prisons issue – even though it’s far too soon for the provisions in the omnibus crime bill to have come into effect. Good to see that he’s humble and modest and everything.
PSAC continues its dangerous practice of politicising the public service against the government of the day, this time by sending letters to Harper and Conservative MPs saying they’re “affected” and warning that their jobs could be on the line in the next election because of the cuts. Yeah, guys, that’s not cool. Public servants don’t threaten their political masters. That way madness lies.
Despite there being plans to augment visitor security screening on Parliament Hill with a new facility, the decision has been made to cut off evening tours, despite the fact that as it stands too many people aren’t getting a chance to tour the buildings.
After a yearlong battle, Carleton University has released its donor agreement for its new school of public affairs.
Susan Delacourt spends a day with Justin Trudeau in southern Ontario, and finds that no, he really isn’t ready to make any kind of leadership declaration.
And Kady O’Malley takes us back to the tale of how Dominion Day became Canada Day, and how it was one of the…more problematic events in our parliamentary democracy.