Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith (Beaches-East York, Ont.) hurriedly sold his stock portfolio in anticipation he’d remain in cabinet, according to a May 1 ethics filing made public yesterday. Erskine-Smith, a former corporate lawyer, did not detail which shares he sold days before being dropped as housing minister: "It’s impossible not to feel disrespected." READ MORE
Taxpayers should not have to wait as late as December to see a federal budget, Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre said yesterday. Cabinet is postponing disclosure of federal accounts until it finalizes a Fall Economic Statement similar to a document tabled last year on December 16: "It means spending is out of control." READ MORE
Ballot errors in a single riding threaten the legitimacy of any close votes in the 45th Parliament, Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet said yesterday. The Party is contesting its loss of the Terrebonne riding to Liberals by a single vote on judicial recount after Elections Canada confirmed a Bloc ballot was improperly rejected: "It might make a difference in a very important vote." READ MORE
Dr. Theresa Tam, the nation’s $324,000-a year chief public health officer, considered “all Canadians as my patients” during the pandemic and resented public criticism that strayed into mockery of her accent and ethnicity. Tam’s views are detailed in Access To Information notes disclosed by the Public Health Agency: "Overnight I went from being relatively unknown to being broadcast to the public eye." READ MORE
Legislation drafted by the National Council of Canadian Muslims would see Parliament recognize a state of Palestine. MPs who have advocated for recognition include a current member of cabinet: 'It is model legislation.' READ MORE
There will be no federal budget until the fall, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said yesterday. Cabinet in the meantime will table a Ways And Means Motion proposing a multi-billion dollar income tax cut once Parliament resumes May 26, he said: "I could not be clearer than that." READ MORE
Cabinet yesterday said it welcomed any opposition MP who wants to vote with the Liberal caucus in the minority 45th Parliament. New Democrat leader Don Davies earlier expressed outrage over floor crossing and sponsored a private bill to ban the practice: "The only people who have the right to determine which party represents them in the House of Commons are the voters themselves." READ MORE
I played baseball growing up in Thunder Bay but was never very good. One year I was backup first baseman on a city team. We travelled to Ottawa to play the provincial championships. The first-string baseman went on a hitting streak. I had traveled all the way and never played a single inning. Back home I told my mom, “I’m quitting. This is embarrassing.” She said, “No, you finish the season.” I’ve coached competitive baseball and hockey. It’s rigidly organized and so oriented to winning and losing that people forget it is only a game, and the players are children.
