marieeveboyer-blog

[marieeveboyer-blog]

The Coalistion Avenir Quebec tabled Thursday a legislator regarding school taxes. If bill 3 passes, it would mean a single rate of school taxes for everyone, no matter where you live. This would mean 0.10$ per 100$ of your houses value and $700 million a year annually. 

Education Minister Jean-François Roberge said that they plan to compensate the loss on school board by giving them money from the general fund. Opposition parties are concerned about the government ability to give the same quality of service, in this case education, with less money. Their question is, if the government has $700 million available to invest in education, why not just use it on top of the existing school taxes?

[marieeveboyer-blog]

Independent Ontario Senator Sabi Marwah recently asked for an amendment, making it easier for senators to meet in-camera when every they want. The rule right now is that the Senate must meet 'in-camera' meeting to discuss wages, salaries and other benefits; contracts and contract negotiations; labour relations and personnel; and drafting agendas or reports. Senator want to be able to meet in private for Canadia's security and confidentiality issues. 

The amendment was proposed by Senator Marwah after a series of scandals and raises the question about government transparency. Independent Senator Elaine McCoy would like for Senator Marwah to clarify the new rules for the amendment stating that in 2018, Canadians ask for more transparency from their government. The same was said by many more Senators such as Independent Quebec Senator Renee Dupuis and Pierre Dalphond. 

It’s important to note that also, for the past 3 years, the Senate has been rethinking the expense oversight, making it more transparent to keep the populations trust.

[marieeveboyer-blog]

The liberal party recently announced wanting to introduce federal legislation on Indigenous child and family services next year. This new legislation is being drafted with the help of different indigenous groups and their leaders. Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott hopes that it will be written by the time House of Commons resumes sitting in January and pass before the elections next fall.

Statistics show that there are more indigenous children in foster care right now that there was in residential school at its peak. According to the government of Canada figures, 50% of children in foster care are from an indigenous background and almost 80% of these kids were removed from their home because of neglect. Unfortunately, according to Philpott, poverty is often mistaken for neglect. She hopes that this new legislation will make a distinction between the two and ensure indigenous kids from low income home will remain with their parents.

[marieeveboyer-blog]

Former Conservative minister Rona Ambrose introduced Bill C-337 which would make training for incoming judges on sexual assault law mandatory. House of Commons passed the Bill in 2017 withing four months, but it has now been on hold after the second reading in the Senate for two years. 

The bill has been sent to the committee on legal affairs, but the office of Senator Serge Joyal, who is the chair for that committee , says no date is set for the hearing yet.

A similar bill was introduced in Prince Edward Island. It went through the second reading last Thursday and might even be passed before the federal bill. This will most likely put pressure on the Senate to passe the bill faster.

[marieeveboyer-blog]

The Fisheries and Oceans Committee recommend, after a review of the Maritime Search-and-Rescue system that the Canadian Coast Guard should be a separate statutory agency who would report to the Minister of Transport. The Committee Chair, Senator Fabian Manning reports that this would make the Coast Guard more effective on their own which would lead to quicker response in case of an emergency. 

Other recommendations were made such as the use of emergency position-indicating radio beacons on vessels and keeping more Indigenous cadets and employees, who know the land much better. They also recommend that Quebec Coast Guard auxiliary members be allowed to carry guns and that the Department of National Defence allow civilians in Newfoundland and Labrador to help during search-and-rescue operations. 

Senator Jim Munson hopes the recommendations will be followed by the government.

[marieeveboyer-blog]

In the fall’s economic update, it was announced by Ontario Premier Doug Ford's party that the plans to open a French speaking university were canceled. After a lot of criticism, the party restoring the French language services commissioner's position and also named named Attorney General Caroline Mulroney as the minister of francophone affairs.

Following these announcements, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the four leaders of the main parties to talk about ways to help support Francophones who live in provinces outside of Québec.

Unfortunately, nothing concrete was achieved after the meeting except showing Canadians that the government wants to protect both languages. The meeting was reported to be friendly and everybody was cordial but NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh was disappointed of the outcome.

[marieeveboyer-blog]

New research published today by Policy Options show that children born in Canada from non-Canadien parents is much higher than the numbers reported by Statistic Canada. This prompted the Federal government to take notice and study the issue.

The report showed that in 2016, over 3,200 babies were born in Canadian hospitals from non-residents as opposed to 313 babies that was reported by statistic Canada. The report used the Canadian Institute for Health Information which shows billing information made to the patient.

Liberal MP Joe Peschisolido tabled a petition in the House of Commons asking for stronger measures to end such practices. He states that birth tourism is an abuse of Canada's social-welfare system.

Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen then commissioned his department to do more research on the matter. He also explained that Canada cannot restrict access to the country mainly because a women is pregnat and that the country does not keep statistics as to how many pregnet women enter the country.

[marieeveboyer-blog]

Statistics Canada released a report on Wednesday showing that last year has the highest rate of homicide in the last decade. The report highlighted that most of the 660 reported homicides in Canada were related to gang violence. Homicides committed using firearms was 12% in 2015 and 25% in 2017.

Before those statistics were reported, the government had already presented plans to have better gun control in the country. The liberals would like to increase border-security measures while the Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer would like to see measures aimed at repeat and violent offenders.

These measures were put into action after the Toronto's Danforth Avenue in July which killed a 10 year old girl and 18 year old women. It was also reported by statistic Canada that British Columbia and Quebec were the places that increased the national homicide rate the most. 

[marieeveboyer-blog]

The employees of Canada Post have been on strike for many weeks now. Since no agreement between the workers and employers have been reached or will be soon, the Federal government is passing an emergency legislation to force employees back to work.

Not only did the labour Minister Patty Hajdu table the bill in the House of Commons Thursday morning, but the Liberals are trying to fast track the bill. In doing so, they will be able to skip the normal three stages of readings and committee hearings that usually accompany such decisions. With the Christmas holidays fast approaching and many packages being shipped through the mail service, the government wishes to have this matter taken care of quickly.

NDP parliamentary leader Guy Caron is criticizing the decision, pointing out that the employer was expecting the government to step in and take care of the problemfor them. Therefore, not negotiating in good faith. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has reiterated that the gouvemrnt has provided conciliation officers, appointed mediators and offered voluntary arbitration and say that passing this legislation has not been done lightly.