Liberals, Conservatives, and NDP to argue new electoral reform bill should delay voter data court case
On March 20, the Liberal government tabled Bill C-65. Eight days later, the Liberal Party filed an application to adjourn the coming voter privacy trial with C-65 at the centre of its argument. That application will be heard on April 10.
Government’s newly proposed privacy policies won’t change how federal political parties use voter data: experts
The federal parties are preparing to go to court to avoid being subject to B.C.’s more stringent privacy laws. Sara Bannerman, an expert on data governance, said if the parties were required to adhere to such laws, ‘it could cripple their whole data-fied campaign system.’
Cabinet confidences not ‘black or white’ says former Privy Council clerk in House Ethics Committee study of SNC-Lavalin affair
Wernick’s testimony leaves more questions than answers at hearings happening over five years after the scandal, said Democracy Watch co-founder Duff Conacher.
Attorney General makes ‘highly unusual’ decision to get involved early in privacy case involving federal political parties
Adam Dodek, a University of Ottawa law professor, said that Attorney General Arif Virani must be ‘very careful’ not to be seen to be taking any political direction on the decision to get involved. However, the AG’s office told The Hill Times that PCO was ‘leading’ on this file.”
Dialogue on public service more important than ever
As we watch the erosion of democratic institutions elsewhere, the condition of our federal public service, and the quality of its democratic vocation, should concern us all.
‘Lack of direction’: delayed release of mandate letters raises questions over government’s plans
The more than two-month wait so far in publicly releasing mandate letters is the longest delay following a major cabinet shuffle since the Trudeau Liberals took power in 2015.
New PCO clerk Hannaford works well with civil service and political staff, sources say, with ‘job one’ to help ‘shepherd this government through the next two years’ before election
A public servant since 1995, John Hannaford has served in many senior-level positions, including as deputy minister of International Trade, and foreign and defence policy adviser to the prime minister.
Feds need to better communicate what Critical Election Incident Public Protocol does, says Rosenberg
‘Communication on the protocol needs to change,’ says Morris Rosenberg, who says the federal government did not do a good job communicating the panel’s work in 2021. ‘Nobody knew about it. It’s called the public protocol.’
‘There’s no fixed playbook’: deputy minister retreat chance to look ahead to ‘obvious milestones,’ prep for any potential government transition, say former PCO Clerks
Former PCO Clerk Michael Wernick said there were some ‘obvious milestones’ for the deputy ministers to prepare for, including the federal budget, U.S. President Joe Biden’s visit to Ottawa in March, and the Alberta election.
Three federal agencies ‘demystified’ at 3 Brewers Sparks in Ottawa
IPAC-NCR hosted its third educational event offering a behind-the-scenes look at Treasury, Finance, and the Privy Council Office.
