People who had been denied federal disability benefits were thrown a curve ball as new rules have stripped them of their right to have an appeal in person. Where in the past individuals were able to meet face to face with an adjudicator, they will no longer be legally entitled to this method of [Read more]
Gas prices are just ridiculous It is fitting that gas prices jumped considerably at the same time as the Harper government gave a conditional green light to the Northern Gateway pipeline project. Those two events highlight just how far off course our oil and gas policies have strayed from consumer [Read more]
Somewhere along the line Canada has slipped into the plot of a George Orwell novel and it is becoming more difficult to fight back. People will be less inclined to attend peaceful protests if they are guaranteed to be placed on a list of suspects by the government. The new legislation aimed at [Read more]
A lot of attention is paid to the salaries and bonuses of Canada’s wealthiest CEOs since they differ so dramatically from the take-home pay for most everyone else that it is always shocking. A recent study from Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) explains that the problem of [Read more]
As Decoration Day approaches and as we gear up to mark the 70th anniversary of D Day it is appropriate to consider the way we are treating our veterans. All indicators point to strained relations between veterans and the government who have pinched considerable pennies from the [Read more]
« Néron jouait du violon pendant que Rome brûlait ». Ce dicton n’est peut-être pas exact du point de vue historique, mais il évoque bien l’image d’une personne occupée à des bagatelles alors qu’une crise fait rage. L’image colle parfaitement à Stephen Harper en ce moment, lui [Read more]
‘Nero fiddled while Rome burned’ may not be a historically accurate phrase, but it describes being occupied with unimportant matters while faced with a more urgent crisis. That is pretty much what is happening with Stephen Harper who leads a government that has clearly demonstrated their [Read more]
It was a noteworthy week in Canadian politics despite the fact that it was a constituency week for MPs. What made it interesting were announcements that Olivia Chow and Jim Flaherty are stepping down to pursue other options. We know that Olivia is leaving to run for Mayor of Toronto, while Mr. [Read more]
Accountability is best assured by dismissing scrutiny. That is the message the Harper government inadvertently makes every time they rush legislation through the House of Commons. How else can they justify their incredible run of closure used on debate? The sad fact is the Conservatives set a [Read more]
ELLIOT LAKE, ON – People struggling just to keep up need to know their government has their back, and that just isn’t happening according to Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, MP Carol Hughes. Hughes was commenting on NDP Leader Tom Mulcair’s Affordability Tour which stopped in Sault Ste. Marie [Read more]
Among the defining issues of the Conservative’s time in government is the constant march toward self-regulation for industry. In the past Canada relied on strong public regulation and oversight to ensure risks are managed to protect the public. The move away from that time-tested method has [Read more]
The ever ballooning Senate spending scandal has been instructive for political watchers as it highlights how our democratic institutions operate in a self-policing manner that can be secretive, self-serving, and difficult for people to make sense of. Amidst the understandable public outrage there [Read more]
This week I met with representatives from ALS Canada who explained they were concerned about the impact the conservative budget is having on their organization. They are looking to have parliament reinstate the funding they were receiving up until 2012 that had been cut in last year’s omnibus, [Read more]
OTTAWA, ON –Despite spin from the government, official language services are in retreat across the country, according to Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, MP Carol Hughes. Hughes questioned the Minister of Official Languages on the findings and recommendations in the annual report of the [Read more]
OTTAWA, ON – Community Living Associations remind us about the good that is being done in Canada on a local level says Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, MP, Carol Hughes. The MP praised these non-profit associations in the House of Commons Tuesday, for the work they undertake helping people with [Read more]
