Parliamentary privilege at issue as MPs seek documents on Winnipeg lab firings
With MPs growing increasingly frustrated over not receiving requested documents, a fight over parliamentary privilege is brewing with the Special House Committee on Canada-China Relations and Conservative Party demanding documents about the firing of two scientists. Throughout the 43rd Parliament, House committees have requested unredacted documents from the government, but in turn the executive has […]
Industry reps, MP urge swift action on committee calls to help interpreters
The House Official Languages Committee has backed a number of recommendations to improve the working conditions of interpreters supporting Parliament during the shift to virtual, including unanimously urging the government to adopt a new definition of remote interpretation—changes industry reps say they hope to see acted on as soon as possible. “Parliament could be paralyzed […]
What’s up PROC? Committee filibuster over prorogation study passes 40-hour mark
The Procedure and House Affairs Committee has been at a standstill for the last two months, with a filibuster over an attempt to have Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and others, testify as part of its study on the government’s report on prorogation now past the 40-hour mark, a longevity NDP MP Daniel Blaikie says has […]
New contract keeps distance interpreting definition deemed problematic by association
New contract terms for federal freelance interpreters are out, and while one proposed aspect flagged as problematic has been reversed, a definition of distance interpreting that’s been criticized as likely to open up the workforce to greater health and safety risks has been maintained. “Because they’re putting it down in the contract for the very […]
New contract for freelance interpreters slated for April release
New contract terms for federal freelance interpreters will be published in April, according to Public Services and Procurement Canada. Contract terms proposed by the department last year led the International Association of Conference Interpreters’ (AIIC) Canadian branch to raise the alarm, with rep Nicole Gagnon, who herself works as a freelance interpreter on Parliament Hill, […]
Conflict watchdog’s power to sanction MPs should be defined, argues CPC MP Reid, but other MPs not convinced
For the first time ever, the federal conflict of interest commissioner flexed his power to recommend sanctions against a Member of Parliament under the Conflict of Interest Code last fall—a demonstration Conservative MP Scott Reid argues makes clear the need for MPs to consider and define what sanctions the commissioner should appropriately be able to […]
With great financial power comes great responsibility
On Friday, March 12, the second hour of debate concluded on my private member’s bill, C-231, An Act to amend the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Act (investments). The Canada Pension Plan fund, valued at about half a trillion dollars, has the kind of financial firepower that can literally move markets with its investments. Where […]
Freelance interpreters await new contract terms, after PSPC’s proposed changes sparked concern
The final terms of the new contract for federal freelance interpreters, including those covering Parliament Hill, are still eagerly awaited, months after an advocacy association raised the alarm over proposed changes a rep says would put the future health and safety of interpreters, and the quality of their work, at greater risk. “If this RFP […]
Not open to interpretation: virtual Parliament exacerbates pre-existing issues with vital service
Parliament’s shift to hybrid virtual proceedings as a result of COVID-19 has led to a spike in injuries for Hill interpreters, and in turn, has exposed and exacerbated pre-existing shortfalls with the “essential” service—shortfalls that MPs, industry advocates, and others are looking to address. “It [COVID] has certainly exacerbated the underlying issue of the challenges […]
Liberal delay in moving on Bill C-19 ‘puzzling’ given election posturing, says NDP’s Blaikie
Tabled at the end of the fall sitting, Bill C-19, which proposes changes to the Canada Elections Act aimed at mitigating risks if an election is held during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been all but stagnant since—a lack of legislative progress NDP MP Daniel Blaikie calls “surprising,” given continued speculation of a snap election call. […]
