The critical-minerals battle is being fought on land—and over the sea

Internal documents give the impression Canada would gladly abandon its current support for a seabed-mining moratorium if some standards were in place.
‘It’s none of their business’: Senators hit the brakes on new staff ethics code after political-disclosure rules make waves

Central to concerns is a need for staff to disclose broadly defined personal political activities undertaken outside of work.
Pierre Poilievre may be done

The Conservative leader has shown no inclination or ability to temper his highly polarized style, which makes his chances in the next election appear unpropitious.
Poilievre and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week

The Conservatives did everything the wrong way in dealing with Chris d’Entremont’s floor crossing, handing their political opponents a win.
A true conservative party fought its last election 25 years ago

Any society needs both moderate conservatism and moderate liberalism to develop in a balanced way.
MPs to vote on $10.8-billion spending boost in new estimates

The Canadian Dental Care Plan will receive the largest portion of the funds at $1.6-billion, with Indigenous Services, Crown-Indigenous Relations, and National Defence each requesting over $1-billion.
Proposed collective bargaining changes could ‘influence the opinions of arbitrators’ to consider feds’ fiscal situation: lawyer

The budget outlines plans to update the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act, which federal unions are criticizing as ‘vague’ and ‘concerning’ for its potential to infringe on workers’ rights.
The unintended consequences of stricter rules on public policy engagement

The 2023 changes to the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct around event sponsorship risk undermining public trust in our democratic institutions.
A look at Seniors Secretary McLean’s four-person shop

Plus, Hill Climbers has an update on Defence Minister David McGuinty’s office, which includes policy director Radey Barrack and senior adviser Renée Filiatrault.
In politics, Chrétien reminds us that funny trumps nasty

Jean Chrétien belled the Alberta cat in a way that everyone can understand: ‘They never sold as much oil as they have today and they’re complaining as if they are going bankrupt?’