Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Defence minister's aide skips committee hearing

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Apr, 2021 04:48 PM
  • Defence minister's aide skips committee hearing

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan's former chief of staff is the latest Liberal aide to avoid a House of Commons order that she testify before a parliamentary committee.

A majority of MPs approved a motion demanding Zita Astravas appear before the Commons defence committee to answer questions about the government’s handling of allegations of sexual misconduct involving Gen. Jonathan Vance.

The motion also called for two of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s top advisers and one of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s aides to appear before the Commons ethics committee to testify on the government’s now-dead deal with WE Charity.

But the Liberal government has said it will not let political staff appear before committees and is instead having Sajjan testify in place of Astravas, who is now chief of staff to Public Safety Minister Bill Blair.

Opposition members shut down an ethics committee hearing last week after Associate Finance Minister Mona Fortier appeared on behalf of Freeland’s aide Amitpal Singh.

But members of the defence committee have opted to grill Sajjan on what happened after then-military ombudsman Gary Walbourne flagged an allegation involving Vance in March 2018.

MORE National ARTICLES

COVID-19 side-effect: flu cases way down in Canada

COVID-19 side-effect: flu cases way down in Canada
There has been no evidence of flu spreading in the community, no confirmed outbreaks and the number of hospitalizations and deaths due to the flu is zero.

COVID-19 side-effect: flu cases way down in Canada

Pandemic to plunge deficit to $363B, PBO says

Pandemic to plunge deficit to $363B, PBO says
The economy too is faring better than Giroux anticipated, and his office has revised its projections for economic growth starting in the second half of this year.

Pandemic to plunge deficit to $363B, PBO says

Toronto to get new vaccine-manufacturing plant

Toronto to get new vaccine-manufacturing plant
The project will create 1,225 jobs and Sanofi will also invest at least $79 million a year to fund Canadian research and development.

Toronto to get new vaccine-manufacturing plant

Biden unveiling $2-trillion infrastructure plan

Biden unveiling $2-trillion infrastructure plan
Biden is bent on resurrecting America's manufacturing sector, as well — the plan includes $580 billion for manufacturing, job training and R & D.

Biden unveiling $2-trillion infrastructure plan

AstraZeneca shots offered to ages 55-65 in B.C

AstraZeneca shots offered to ages 55-65 in B.C
Beginning Wednesday, those between the ages of 55 and 65 can call their local pharmacy and book an appointment to receive their vaccine.

AstraZeneca shots offered to ages 55-65 in B.C

840 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

840 COVID19 cases for Tuesday
421 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 39 in the Island Health region, 67 in the Interior Health region, 46 in the Northern Health region and two new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.

840 COVID19 cases for Tuesday