Sunday, April 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Minister replaces staffer again at WE hearing

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 31 Mar, 2021 06:58 PM
  • Minister replaces staffer again at WE hearing

Opposition members shut down a parliamentary committee hearing this afternoon after the Liberal government once again refused to let a political aide appear to answer questions about the now-dead deal with WE Charity.

Members of the House of Commons' ethics committee had asked a senior adviser to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to testify following an order to that effect from Parliament last week.

But the Liberal government, which has said it will order political staff not to appear before committees, instead deployed Associate Finance Minister Mona Fortier to appear on Amitpal Singh's behalf.

It was the second time a minister appeared instead of a ministerial aide after government House leader Pablo Rodriguez took the place of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's policy director earlier this week.

While the committee ultimately decided to hear what Rodriguez had to say on Monday, opposition members refused to do the same with Fortier today and instead used their majority to adjourn the meeting after only 20 minutes.

The government has said ministers are ultimately responsible for their staff, but committee members expressed anger and frustration over what they described as the Liberals' defiance of Parliament.

MORE National ARTICLES

Ottawa extends anti-ISIL mission another year

Ottawa extends anti-ISIL mission another year
The Liberal government previously set a cap of 850 troops for the mission several years ago, but Canada had been slowly withdrawing troops from the region over the last year.

Ottawa extends anti-ISIL mission another year

Pfizer to double vaccine deliveries in June

Pfizer to double vaccine deliveries in June
Pfizer is going to send five million more vaccine doses to Canada in June than it previously planned, and AstraZeneca will ship 4.4 million doses by the end of June.

Pfizer to double vaccine deliveries in June

U.S. breaking international law: Meng's lawyer

U.S. breaking international law: Meng's lawyer
Gib van Ert told a British Columbia Supreme Court judge today that if Canada extradites her to face the charges, it will be guilty of breaking international law as well.

U.S. breaking international law: Meng's lawyer

West Kelowna RCMP investigate stabbing

West Kelowna RCMP investigate stabbing
On March 28th, 2021 just before 2:00 a.m., West Kelowna RCMP and Kelowna RCMP were called to the Postill Lake Road area for a report of multiple victims of a stabbing at an outdoor gathering.

West Kelowna RCMP investigate stabbing

A look at the rare blood clot condition VIPIT

A look at the rare blood clot condition VIPIT
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization says the vaccine should not be used by people younger than age of 55, while Health Canada has issued guidelines around what to look for if you suspect you have had an adverse reaction.

A look at the rare blood clot condition VIPIT

B.C. imposes new COVID-19 restrictions

B.C. imposes new COVID-19 restrictions
Dr. Bonnie Henry says starting at midnight until April 19, indoor dining and activity at fitness centres are paused, while the Whistler Blackcomb ski resort will be closed as cases spread in the community.

B.C. imposes new COVID-19 restrictions