Latest news with #SocialSharingOttawa
CBC
22-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Jordan's Principle funding for First Nations children being extended through 2026: Indigenous Services
Social Sharing Ottawa says it will continue to fund Jordan's Principle to support First Nations children through 2026, as some First Nations chiefs decry what they call cutbacks in services. Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu announced the extension in a press release Saturday, about 24 hours before a federal election campaign is expected to kick off. The principle is intended to assure that First Nations children can access government-funded health, social or educational services regardless of where they live and without seeing their cases bogged down in jurisdictional disputes. No specific spending amounts were provided in the latest announcement, but Hajdu said the government has poured $8.8 billion into the principle since it was established in 2016. "More than 8.9 million products, services, and supports have been approved since 2016 under Jordan's Principle," Hajdu said in her statement. Jordan's Principle stems from a human rights complaint filed by the Assembly of First Nations and the First Nations Family and Caring Society in 2007, and is named after Jordan River Anderson, a five-year-old boy from Norway House Cree Nation in northern Manitoba who died in 2005 in the midst of a two-year battle between the province and Ottawa over who would pay for his care. Backlog of requests First Nations leaders have complained for months that the federal government has failed to provide communities with vital funding and resources through Jordan's Principle. Cindy Blackstock, head of First Nations Family and Caring Society, launched a non-compliance motion against Canada early last year, and the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled in December Canada needed to address the backlog of requests, along with creating an independent complaints mechanism. Blackstock was not immediately available for comment Saturday. However, she has accused the government of shirking legal obligations and failing to provide evidence of misuse or how widespread the alleged problem is. Blackstock has also argued that the government takes too long to process requests, leaving children without access to services, and said the backlog issue is a problem of the government's own making. Last week, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs accused the government of failing to live up to its duties by denying requests and cutting back on funds. The chiefs accused the Trudeau government of neglect and called on newly sworn in Prime Minister Mark Carney to rectify what the chiefs called a broken system. The federal government confirmed in December there were 140,000 backlogged requests across Canada, but said the legal order requiring swift action on it would be "challenging" to implement. The government also argued before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal that requests were being made for a swath of non-urgent matters, saying the scope of Jordan's Principle had become too broad and contributed to the backlog of requests. Last month, the federal government announced it would bar funding approvals for home renovations, sporting events, international travel, and non-medical supports or school-related requests unless required to ensure equality with kids who are not First Nations. Hajdu said in her Saturday statement she has asked Indigenous Services Canada to review the contribution agreements of First Nations recipients to make sure expenses incurred under the principle in 2024-25 will be considered for funding. "This review is intended to support partners who are providing critical services to First Nations children through the transition to the new operating procedures related to processing requests under Jordan's Principle," she said.
CBC
06-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Ottawa, provinces agree to open the tab on Canadian booze
Social Sharing Ottawa has reached a deal with the majority of provinces to allow Canadian booze to flow more freely across the country just as U.S. liquor is pulled from their store shelves. The move is part of a host of changes being worked on by the federal, provincial and territorial governments that were announced late Wednesday to add $200 billion to the Canadian economy while it's rocked by U.S. tariffs. "This is unprecedented action to reduce trade barriers in Canada," Internal Trade Minister Anita Anand told CBC News. "This is a pivotal moment for Canada to take bold and united action in the face of the United States' unjustified decision to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods." All provinces, except P.E.I. and Newfoundland and Labrador, have agreed to remove the obstacles preventing their alcohol from being sold in other jurisdictions. The provincial governments are expected to seal the agreement in a framework within weeks, which Anand said will lead to more Canadian alcohol sales soon after that. "Buying B.C. wine in Ottawa is going to become a reality, because we are going to see trade barriers come down in Canada," she said. Canada-wide credential recognition for all professions The federal, provincial and territorial governments are also working toward recognizing certified professionals no matter where they received their credentials in Canada. Following a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday, the first ministers directed the committee on Internal Trade — which is responsible for implementing the Canada Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) — to develop a Canada-wide credential recognition plan by June 1. WATCH | The path to nixing internal trade barriers: Federal minister suggests interprovincial trade barriers could disappear quickly 29 days ago Duration 2:07 Anand said every profession will be brought under the new structure, but it will be up to provinces and territories to decide which jobs to prioritize. Quebec is behind the move, but the province is expected to adopt the new measures differently since it has linguistic considerations. Along with recognizing labour credentials, the premiers are launching negotiations to allow goods certified in one province to be bought or sold in another without additional red tape, excluding food. The provinces and territories are also reviewing their exceptions under the CFTA to see how many they can eliminate by June 1 to encourage more trade and opportunity. Ottawa recently announced the removal of more than half of the remaining federal exceptions.
CBC
04-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Canada has imposed counter-tariffs on U.S. goods. What products are being targeted?
Social Sharing Ottawa has imposed 25 per cent counter-tariffs on American goods as part of Canada's retaliation to U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war. Trump followed through on a months-long threat on Tuesday, slapping a 25 per cent tariff on virtually all Canadian goods and a 10 per cent tariff on Canadian energy. In retaliation, Canada will slap 25 per cent tariffs on $30 billion worth of American goods coming into Canada as of Tuesday. The tariffs will then be applied to another $125 billion worth of American imports after a three-week consultation period. "Canadians are reasonable and we are polite but we will not back down from a fight — not when our country and the well-being of everyone is at stake," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said during a news conference Tuesday. "Your government has chosen to do this to you," Trudeau said in remarks directed at the American people. "A fight with Canada will have no winners." The federal government had initially released the full list of products that will be taxed when Trump first moved to impose tariffs last month before briefly stalling the U.S. measures. The list includes some supply managed products that were given Canadian market access as concessions during the negotiation of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Here is a breakdown of what Canada is targeting: A swath of poultry products, including turkey, chicken and eggs. Dairy products, including milk, cream, butter, yogurt, cheeses, ice cream and margarine. Various spices and seasonings, including: vanilla, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, thyme, ginger, cumin and others. Fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, cucumbers, citrus fruits, melons, berries and stone fruits. Coffee and tea. Grain products, including wheat, rye, barley, oats and rice. Cooking oil products, including canola, palm oils, and sunflower oils. Shrimp and prawns. Confectionery products, including flours, sugars, honey, syrups and cocoa products. Pastas. Prepared bakery products, including pizza, pies, cakes and other pastries. Orange juice. Nuts and beans. Condiments including, mustard, ketchup and other tomato sauces, mayonnaise and salad dressings. Soups. Bottled water. Alcohol, including: wine, beer, cider, whiskey, rum, gin, vodka, brandies and tequila. Tobacco, cigarette lighters and vapes. Cosmetics, including perfumes and make-up. Toiletries, including shampoos, toothpaste, deodorant and soaps. Protein powder. Plastic building materials, including: flooring, shutters, blinds and doors. Bathroom appliances and accessories, including: bathtubs, toilet seats, showers and sinks. Suitcases, handbags and other bags. Kitchen and glassware, including, forks, spoons, knives and cups. Tires. Horse saddles and accessories. Various clothing items, including: coats, jackets, suits, shirts, skirts, pants, shorts, dresses, underwear, bras, pyjamas, babywear, sports clothing, socks, scarves, gloves and belts. Lumber and wood products, including: plywood, beams, fibreboard, windows, shingles, flooring, doors and doorframes. Some paper and cardboard products, including: pulp, toilet paper, envelopes, cards and postcards, boxes, bags, food packaging, plates and cups. Table cloths, napkins, handkerchiefs and other facial tissues. Notebooks, binders, folders and other stationery items. Curtains, carpets and other textile floor coverings. Blankets, linens and other bedding. Camping and other outdoor equipment, including tents, tarps, mattresses, rock climbing harnesses, lifejackets and sails. Towels, duster, dish and other cleaning cloths. Shoes, sandals, cleats, rubber boots and other waterproof footwear (including ski boots). Hats, including safety headgear. Jewelry, precious metals and gems. Kitchen appliances, including stoves, microwaves, bread makers, hot plates, toasters, coffee makers and portable stoves. Dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and laundry machines. Snow plows, snow blowers and lawnmowers. Tools such as saws, wrenches, drills, hammers and screwdrivers. Shaving products, including razors, shaving cream and after shave. Electric hair accessories, including dryers and irons. Motorcycles. Drones. Guns and ammunition. Furniture and mattresses. Lights, lamps, Christmas lights and light fixtures. Arcade games, casino slots and playing cards. Art.
CBC
04-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Ottawa pays out over $100K to Quebec group that lost contract for Afghan war monument
Social Sharing Ottawa recently signed an out-of-court settlement with a team of Quebec architects that was denied a prestigious contract to design the National Monument to Canada's Mission in Afghanistan. Sources told Radio-Canada the confidential deal is worth more than $100,000, or at least three times the initial offer made to the team led by Montreal-based architect Renée Daoust in 2023. At the time, the Daoust team learned it had won a national competition to design the $5-million monument, but that Ottawa would nonetheless give the contract to the group led by Indigenous artist Adrian Stimson. Bound by a confidentiality clause, the Daoust team refused to comment on the settlement. In a written statement, however, they thanked all those who supported them in their attempt to force Ottawa to change its decision. "We remain outraged by this process marred by irregularities and reiterate our commitment to the quality of architecture and public art in Canada, and to the integrity of the processes by which public funds are allocated," said the statement from Daoust, artist Luca Fortin and international law expert Louise Arbour. The federal government said it awarded the design contract to Stimson because his project was favoured by the families of Canadians who served in Afghanistan, as expressed in an online survey. The Daoust team had been selected by the jury tasked with reviewing submissions. Jean-Pierre Chupin, an architecture professor and expert in public competitions, said the government's decision was critically flawed. "They discredited a complex and fragile competition process that aims to be fair, transparent, representative and therefore democratic," said Chupin, who teaches at the Université de Montréal. He said the online survey can be "clearly disqualifiable after a few minutes of analysis," comparing it to a competition for "likes" on Facebook. Over 40,000 Canadians served in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2014, mostly military personnel but also government employees and humanitarian workers. Of these, 158 soldiers and seven civilians lost their lives. The monument project was initiated by former prime minister Stephen Harper and continued under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government. The Daoust team's proposal aimed to symbolize the struggle for democracy, incorporating elements reminiscent of Afghanistan's mountains, the burqa worn by some women in the country and the Twin Towers that fell in New York on Sept. 11, 2001. The government-favoured Stimson design more directly references the military aspect of the Afghan mission, featuring four helmets and bulletproof vests mounted on crosses at the centre of the monument. After informing the Daoust team that they would not be awarded the contract, Ottawa offered them $34,000 in compensation in an attempt to settle the matter. Instead of accepting the offer, the Daoust team went public, garnering significant support and denouncing the federal government's decision in the media and in Parliament. Their main concern was that Ottawa would set a dangerous precedent by disregarding its own process for awarding major public contracts. However, the Daoust team failed to convince the government to reverse its decision. Settlement negotiations began after the blessing of the downtown Ottawa site of the future Stimson-designed monument last fall. The office of the minister of veterans affairs refused to provide details about the settlement, citing its confidentiality clause. Spokesperson Wyatt Westover said the Stimson team has "finalized the design contract" with the National Capital Commission, which manages the site where the monument will be built. Veterans Affairs Canada's latest budget for the monument is $4.7 million. The federal department says it is currently conducting "a cost analysis to ensure the monument is completed as planned while honouring the service and sacrifice of Canadian veterans, their families and all those who served in the mission." WATCH | Afghanistan memorial has been mired in controversy: Quebec architects threaten to sue over Afghanistan war monument 11 months ago Duration 1:59 The group of Quebec architects that was first selected and then rejected to build Canada's national monument to Afghan mission veterans is threatening to sue the government if they aren't given the full contract. Bloc Québécois MP Luc Desilets, who spent months pressing the federal government on the issue without success, hopes the settlement includes punitive damages for the Daoust team. He believes the federal government was "caught red-handed." According to Chupin, the entire project is tainted by this saga. He fears that Canadians who served overseas will ultimately pay the price.
CBC
13-02-2025
- CBC
No Sunday service on Trillium Line until end of April at the earliest
Social Sharing Ottawa's Trillium Line and airport link won't start operating on Sundays until the end of April at the earliest, OC Transpo's managing director Renée Amilcar said Thursday. Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the city's transit commission, Amilcar said the delay in Sunday service on lines 2 and 4 is due to a shortage of train operators, and because passenger information screens are still malfunctioning. She said taking a break from service on Sundays gives OC Transpo time to update their computer systems and allows contractor TransitNext to continue running drills. "We are trying to do those things before we launch the 'New Ways to Bus,' which will be, I would say, the mark to start the real opening of lines 2 and 4," Amilcar said. New Ways to Bus is what OC Transpo is calling widespread changes to the transit system that will be implemented on April 27. The city hopes to start seven-day-a-week service on the Trillium Line around that time. The newly extended Trillium Line began reopening on Jan. 6 with weekday service. At the time, city officials said it would be at least two weeks before Saturday service began, and another two weeks before Sunday service could start. Saturday service was launched Jan. 25. Short 23 operators The update comes just days after the city's auditor general tabled an investigation showing the instructors who trained Trillium Line operators themselves lacked the experience and necessary training. Those findings were circulated internally before Jan. 6, and Amilcar said earlier this week that when the Trillium Line opened the system was "safe and all operators have been properly trained." At the transit commission meeting on Thursday, OC Transpo reported 53 operators are currently available for service on the diesel Trillium Line and airport link, also known as lines 2 and 4. Twenty more operators are currently completing training, the city said Thursday. The city said it needs at least 66 operators available before Sunday service can begin. Ultimately, OC Transpo plans to train 76 drivers to cover sick leave and other unexpected situations. The passenger information screens have been experiencing problems since at least last July, both aboard trains and on station platforms.
