samah191-blog

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A Montreal widow risks being deported because of her husband’s tragic death last year. Nicolas Faubert has passed away, just weeks before Sophie Thewys and her son gets their permanent residency approval. Now, the case is under review by the federal government. Quebec NDP MP Matthew Dubé has tabled an e-petition with nearly 1,794 signatories by which he has sponsored previously, this year. He urged Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen to practice discretionary power to prevent the removing of permanent residence status from Thewys and her son.

The minister response was: “….The department has noted your concerns and is looking into the case,”

The response came as Dubé describes: a “cardboard cut-out.” He feels sorry for his constituent and that her grieving process is not getting any easier while contesting and waiting for the IRCC decision.

Dubé had written two letters, so far, to the minister about Thewys’s case and he didn’t expect such response and delay. Dubé will not give up and is hoping that the case will come to a positive resolution.Unfortunately, due to privacy laws, the Minister Office refused to comment on this specific case.

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Michael Ferguson, the spending watchdog has released, this week, a set of audits on government service performance and the results are quite disappointing. He believes that government’s agencies should prioritize citizens’ interests while delivering services.

After the auditor general's report review by the public accounts committee, the Democrat MP David Christopherson wants to enforce the auditor general's demand for change by adapting new follow up methods;  such as calling departments back when the satisfactory level of their responses and support are low. He also said that the committee is going to hold public hearing on each chapter of the report to establish public transparency and accountability.

There were many obvious examples, in the report, that showcased how Canadians are struggling to access their government’s services; examples like Canada Revenue Agency's call centre blockage and wrong answers and the Phoenix payroll system unsolved dilemma.

Another enforcement, Liberal vice-chair Alexandra Mendes says that the public accounts committee plans to reach up the top bureaucrat, Michael Wernick, to ensure that the message is delivered and that the government is stepping up its services. She will not hesitate to call deputy ministers if nothing is done.

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Finance Minister Bill Morneau has tabled a bill to rewrite federal pension laws, which has initiated an official examination by Ottawa’s ethics watchdog Mary Dawson. This to verify if Mr. Monreau might have violated Canada's ethics laws since he still owns 1 million shares in Manreau Shepell, a leading firm in the pension-management in Canada.

Mr. Morneau has refused to answer when Opposition parties repeatedly asked him during Monday’s session if he had seeked Ms. Dawson’s approval. Instead, he said that he had now sold all his shares in Morneau Sheppel and donated $5-million to a charity, since becoming Finance Minister.

The investigation falls into the minister and privacy rules, Ms. Dawson office refused to comment if Mr. Morneau had seeked permission prior to him introducing the law.

Approving Bill C-27 means that Crown corporations and federally regulated companies would be able to replace defined-benefit plans and set up target-benefit pension plans for their employees instead.

NDP ethics critic Nathan Cullen believes that "Bill C-27 is not only a clear attack on workers' pensions, it is also a massive conflict of interest".

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Forty-four Canadians have joined the exclusive club of 6,897 members who have been named to the Order of Canada, the highest civilian honor of the country. The Order was Julie Payettes first ceremony as the new Governor General of Canada.

Among the well-known Honorees are The Tragically Hip band, “Jeopardy” host Alex Trebek, Emmy-award winning comedian David Steinberg. 

The Tragically Hip members Rob Baker, Johnny Fay, Paul Langlois and Gord Sinclair have become members of the order joining their front man, Gord Downie who has passed away last month. The four members were recognized for their cultural influence and supporting social and environmental causes.

Another honoree is Terrance Paul, chief of Nova Scotia Membertou, First Nation who has transformed his community into a flourishing business centre.

The Order of Canada Quick Facts:

First ceremony was on November 24, 1967

Recipients’ age ranged from 18 to 105

Three levels of the honor; Member, Officer and Companion is the highest

An independent body reviews nominations twice a year

Hand made snowflake Insignias are made at the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa

Members may resign if they wish too.

Appointments can be also terminated

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No one knows the exact date by which marijuana will go on sale in Canada. Even Bill Blair, the Liberal point man on the pot file, “Let us say in the month of July [2018].” He couldn’t give an exact date either!

After passing the House of Commons and the senate, the new law will not be effective immediately. The new law has a provision in the proposed bill that requires an additional order from the cabinet to set the date. According to Blair, there are many factors that could affect that date. To begin with, the senate may not be done debating, studying and amending it in time for the July 2018. Also, a second bill on impaired driving is also an important part of the Liberals’ legalization plan. On the other hand, the provinces and territories have to pass laws and set regulations of their own. While, some provinces have announced their plan like Ontario, New Brunswick, Manitoba and Alberta, other provinces are still working on it. Ready or not! Even these proposed laws still have to get passed.

The federal government will respect the time frame issued by these provinces. However, individuals who live in provinces that are not ready yet by the date of legal sale, they will be allowed legally to buy pot online directly from a federally licensed producer.

The only thing that Blair confirmed was legalizing Marijuana will not happen on Canada Day July 1st.

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The independent senator Anne Cools is the deputy chair of the finance committee, which is examining the proposed tax changes. In his release to reporters, he stated that many Canadians in western Canada are concerned about the Liberal government tax reforms; people are anxious about the government’s future steps. Cools also stated that the finance committee is working hard to produce a detailed and valuable report; Senators on the committee have travelled west to hear from entrepreneurs, provincial governments, investors, chambers of commerce, etc.

The committee is also hearing from witnesses. While some have expressed their elevated concerns about the proposed changes to the Income Tax Act especially with the recent ambiguity over North American Free Trade Agreement, others have commended the government on reducing tax for small businesses. “Most witnesses suggested that the Finance Minister might consider an overhaul of the Income Tax Act,” reads the statement.

Next week, Atlantic Canada is the committee next planned tour. The Committee report release is expected by Friday, December 15, 2017.