Five stories in the news today, Dec. 9
Posted Dec 9, 2015 04:15:03 AM.
Last Updated Dec 9, 2015 04:40:13 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Five stories in the news today, Dec. 9, from The Canadian Press:
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HARPER PATRONAGE BINGE AN ABUSE, SAYS DOMINIC LEBLANC
The Liberals say the Harper government was guilty of “abuse of process” when it went on a patronage binge on the eve of the election, making or renewing appointments for federal positions that didn’t need to be filled until weeks or even months after the Conservatives were defeated. Letters have been sent to 33 people who received plum positions during the dying days of Stephen Harper’s regime asking them to voluntarily resign. There is no indication of what the government will do if they refuse.
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SENATE TO GRILL CABINET MINISTERS?
The Conservative-dominated Senate is taking the first step towards accommodating Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s desire for a more independent, less partisan upper house. Sen. Claude Carignan, the Conservative leader in the Senate, has introduced a motion that would authorize inviting cabinet ministers to take part in the daily question period in the red chamber. The government leader in the Senate currently fields questions from other senators each day, on behalf of the government.
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TORIES SEEK REFERENDUM ON ELECTORAL REFORM
The Conservatives are pushing the Trudeau government to promise a referendum to consult Canadians on any proposal to overhaul the electoral system. But Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef is refusing to make that commitment. Monsef says she doesn’t want to “prejudice” the outcome of an all-party committee that will be set up early in the new year to examine alternatives to the current first-past-the-post system.
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QUEBEC ASSISTED-DYING LAW BACK IN COURT
The debate over Quebec’s law on assisted dying will be back in court today. The province’s top tribunal is set to hear arguments from Quebec government lawyers who are seeking leave to appeal an injunction handed down by a lower court last week. If upheld, the injunction could postpone implementation of the law until at least February. The legislation was adopted in June 2014 and was supposed to become law this Thursday.
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MIKE DUFFY TO RETURN TO THE STAND AT OTTAWA TRIAL
Sen. Mike Duffy is expected to testify again today at his Ottawa trial where he faces 31 charges of fraud, breach of trust and bribery. In his first appearance on the stand yesterday, Duffy said former prime minister Stephen Harper appointed him and other previously non-partisan people to the Senate to help the Conservative party’s image and attract voters. Duffy has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.
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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY …
— Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will speak to the media in Ottawa about his pledge to cut taxes for the middle class.
— The Ontario Chamber of Commerce will release the Ontario Economic Update, 2016.
— The Ontario government will make an announcement about strengthening consumer financial protection.
— An independent panel that reviewed a fuel shortage Nova Scotians experienced in late August will release a report.
— Former TV journalist Arthur Kent’s defamation lawsuit continues before a judge only in Calgary.
— Earnings reports are due today from Empire Co., the parent of grocer Sobeys, Dollarama Inc. and Lululemon Athletica Inc.
