Fentanyl czar says government's border bill will help in fight against lethal drug
OTTAWA - Canada's fentanyl czar says the fight against the deadly opioid would get a boost from proposed new tools for law enforcement in the Liberal government's recently tabled border bill.
Kevin Brosseau, the federal point person on fentanyl, welcomes provisions in the Strong Borders Act to increase inspection powers, give police easier access to information, crack down on money laundering and improve control of chemicals used to make the drug.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
National Observer
6 hours ago
- National Observer
Tories poised to help feds push major projects bill through Parliament
The federal Conservatives are poised to allow the Liberals to rush their trade and major projects bill through the House of Commons by next Friday. Along with removing federal barriers to internal trade, Bill C-5 would allow the federal government to conditionally approve projects it deems 'in the national interest' before regulatory processes take place and also exempt projects from many environmental laws. All other opposition parties are staunchly opposing a government order that aims to force C-5 through the House of Commons before summer break. But with the Conservatives' support, the Liberals may have the majority vote they need. Conservative MPs did not say outright whether they would support the Liberal motion, and took jabs at certain aspects of the legislation. But they did praise some elements of the bill in between criticisms referencing the 'lost Liberal decade' and calls to go further and eliminate environmental regulations. Conservative MP Gérard Deltell even congratulated Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc for tabling the bill, adding that the bill's aim to ensure each project only goes through one environmental assessment is something the Conservatives have been suggesting for years. 'That's a principle we agree with' and 'precisely the approach that the minister is now proposing,' Deltell said in French. The two politicians' brief, friendly exchange illustrated a shared interest on the major projects portion of Bill C-5 and hinted at an unusual Liberal-Conservative alignment after a decade of fierce opposition. The Liberals and Conservatives are joining together to 'deny democracy' by rushing the major projects bill through the Parliament, said BQ MP Xavier Barsalou-Duval Bloc Québécois MPs were quick to dub the apparent alignment on this bill a Conservative-Liberal coalition. 'What's going on in the House is a bit of a show of Conservatives opposing Liberals and vice versa, but ultimately, it's a coalition between the Conservatives and the Liberals working together now, limiting debate on this bill,' BQ MP Andréanne Larouche said in the House of Commons. Despite being a minority government, the Liberals are acting like they have a majority, BQ MP Xavier Barsalou-Duval said on Friday. The government's special time-allocation motion to force Bill C-5 through the House of Commons would greatly limit debate on the proposed legislation, which, along with approving major projects before an environmental assessment, also grants the government sweeping powers to override laws related to those projects. 'Parliamentary committees will just have one and a half days to study this bill,' Barsalou-Duval said. 'Witnesses will appear before the committee without there being enough time to propose amendments. … That is madness, and yet, that is what we are being asked to consider.' The Liberals and Conservatives are joining together to 'deny democracy,' he said. 'They're trying to ram through a bill that has never been debated before the public. No one has been able to look at the bill in detail,' Barsalou-Duval said. BQ Leader Yves-François Blanchet said the Liberals adopted a Conservative agenda and are working with the Conservatives to put it in place. 'Given the scale and the importance and the unprecedented scope of this bill, a detailed examination is in order,' Blanchet said in French. 'It shouldn't be done on the back of a napkin on a sunny June 12 day.' LeBlanc and House Leader Steven Mackinnon both justified the time allocation motion by saying the government was elected on a mandate to move quickly on projects of national interest and remove federal trade barriers. Carney said last week his government would not impose a project on a province, but the wording of the bill does not require consensus from provinces. Like the BQ, the NDP is calling on Carney to slow down and split the bill into two sections for study: one on trade barriers and one on project approvals. NDP House Leader Alexandre Boulerice said earlier this week that the bill is 'like Stephen Harper's dreams coming true.' Debate on the time-allocation motion will resume on Monday and the federal government made another motion intended to ensure a vote is forced by the end of the day.
Winnipeg Free Press
9 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Lone Liberal MLA won't seek leadership
Manitoba's lone Liberal MLA says she won't seek leadership of the provincial party. 'After much consideration I have made the decision to not pursue the leadership of the Manitoba Liberal Party at this time,' Cindy Lamoureux, the member for Tyndall Park, said in a news release. Lamoureux has served as interim leader of the Manitoba Liberals since party leader Dougald Lamont lost his St. Boniface seat in the 2023 provincial election to NDP candidate Robert Loiselle. 'I will continue to focus my attention on serving the constituents of Tyndall Park and will remain on as the interim leader until a new leader has been elected by the party membership,' Lamoureux said. 'I appreciate all the support that I have received from the party, family, friends and others.'
Global News
12 hours ago
- Global News
‘Canada Strong Pass' details coming next week after Carney campaign pledge
The federal government is set to announce details of its promised 'Canada Strong Pass' next week and the tourism initiative is expected to take effect later this month. 'Our Canada Strong Pass will make it easier for Canadians to make memories here at home, support Canadian tourism, and show our Canadian pride. This summer, let's choose Canada,' said Rechie Valdez, secretary of state for small business and tourism, in a statement. A Liberal government spokesperson told The Canadian Press that the pass will be available from June 20 until the end of August. During the recent federal election, Prime Minister Mark Carney promised to introduce a single pass that would give young people under 18 free seats on Via Rail when travelling with their parents, and free access to Canada's national galleries and museums. The Liberal platform said the party would also introduce 'heavily discounted' access to museums and galleries for Canadians aged 18 to 24. Story continues below advertisement Carney, who pitched the idea as a way to unite Canadians in the face of threats from the U.S., said his government also would reduce prices for camping in national parks for all Canadians from June to August. 1:57 Manitoba tourism industry expects busy summer Carney said during the campaign that Canadians would have free access to national parks and historic sites during the summer. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The spokesperson said those promises will all be covered by the 'Canada Strong Pass.' A spokesperson for Via Rail Canada said the national passenger rail service is 'proud' to support the plan as it encourages young Canadians and their families to discover the country. The government spokesperson said details of the initiative will be announced in the coming days. In 2017, Via Rail offered unlimited travel passes for youth during the month of July to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday. While the organization said it planned originally to make 1,867 passes available, it extended the offer due to high demand and more than 4,000 Canadians purchased passes. Story continues below advertisement Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Steven Guilbeault's director of communications said there has been an 'incredible show of unity' from Canadians since the beginning of the year. 'We look forward to delivering on our commitment to the Canada Strong Pass to make it even easier for Canadian families to choose Canada as they plan their summer travels,' Alisson Lévesque said. – With files from Global News' Ari Rabinovitch
