February 1, 2021 •
February 13: Elections for Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
On February 13, voters in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador will go to the polls to vote for candidates for the House of Assembly. The original fixed election date was October 10, 2023. However, because Premier Andrew Furey […]
On February 13, voters in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador will go to the polls to vote for candidates for the House of Assembly. The original fixed election date was October 10, 2023.
However, because Premier Andrew Furey was sworn in August 19, 2020, an election then became required to be held within one year of the swearing-in. Furey replaces former Premier Dwight Ball, who resigned in 2020 after questions arose about various government-awarded contracts.
This is the first time in the province elections have been held on a Saturday.
January 15, 2021 •
Yukon Lobbyist Registration Grace Period Ends
A one-time grace period for lobbyists to register in the Canadian territory of Yukon ended on January 13. On October 15, the Canadian territory of Yukon’s new and first lobbying law came into force with the online Yukon Lobbyist Registry […]
A one-time grace period for lobbyists to register in the Canadian territory of Yukon ended on January 13.
On October 15, the Canadian territory of Yukon’s new and first lobbying law came into force with the online Yukon Lobbyist Registry becoming live. All lobbyists were given a one-time only grace period of 90 days to understand their requirements and to register. Both consultant lobbyists and in-house lobbyists are required to register under Yukon’s lobbying law. As of January 12, four consultants and five in-house lobbyists have registered, according to the Yukon News.
Registration is required for individuals communicating with a public office holder, directly or through grassroots communications, in attempts to lobby. Additionally, a consultant lobbyist is required to register when arranging a meeting between a public office holder and any other person for the purposes covered by the Act.
Now, in-house lobbyists must register no later than 60 days after meeting the law’s threshold for registration. Consultant lobbyists must register no later than 15 days after starting an undertaking on behalf of a client.
Penalties for violations of the Lobbyist Registration Act include fines up to $25,000 for the first violation and up to $100,000 for each subsequent violation.
January 8, 2021 •
Federal Contribution Limits Increased in Canada
Elections Canada has published the federal contribution limits for the 2021 calendar year. In 2021, individuals may contribute up to $1,650 to independent candidates, leadership candidates, registered parties, and to, in total, all of the registered associations, nomination contestants and […]
Elections Canada has published the federal contribution limits for the 2021 calendar year.
In 2021, individuals may contribute up to $1,650 to independent candidates, leadership candidates, registered parties, and to, in total, all of the registered associations, nomination contestants and candidates of each registered party.
The limits also apply to any unpaid balance of loans made during a contribution period and the amount of any loan guarantees made during a contribution period.
The limits increase annually by $25 on January 1.
December 10, 2020 •
Update to Canadian Federal Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct Being Considered
The Commissioner of Lobbying is concluding a public input period to determine whether changes to the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct are necessary. From November 2 to December 11, 2020, Commissioner Nancy Belanger sought input from the public about its views […]
The Commissioner of Lobbying is concluding a public input period to determine whether changes to the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct are necessary.
From November 2 to December 11, 2020, Commissioner Nancy Belanger sought input from the public about its views and perspectives on the standards of behavior federal lobbyists should follow.
The Lobbyists Code of Conduct, which is a mandatory set of rules all registered consultant and in-house federal lobbyists must follow, was last amended in 2015.
The rules, while general in scope, include a focus on transparency, professionalism, and conflicts of interest. After input is received, the commissioner intends to create a summary of the responses and draft any amendments to the Code of Conduct. Any updated code will be referred to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics.
Depending on the degree of change contemplated by the commissioner, a further round of consultation may be initiated in 2021.
October 16, 2020 •
Yukon Lobbyist Registry Accepting Registrations
On October 15, the Canadian territory of Yukon’s new and first lobbying law came into force with the online Yukon Lobbyist Registry becoming live. Bill No. 23, the Lobbyists Registration Act, received Royal Assent on November 22, 2018, but only […]
On October 15, the Canadian territory of Yukon’s new and first lobbying law came into force with the online Yukon Lobbyist Registry becoming live. Bill No. 23, the Lobbyists Registration Act, received Royal Assent on November 22, 2018, but only came into effect this year.
Consultant lobbyists and in-house lobbyists are required to register. Registration is required for individuals communicating with a public office holder, directly or through grassroots communications, in attempts to lobby. Additionally, a consultant lobbyist is required to register when arranging a meeting between a public office holder and any other person for the purposes covered by the Act.
There are two revolving door provisions in the Act. For the six-month period after ceasing to be in office, a former public office-holder is prohibited from lobbying as a consultant lobbyist, but he or she is not prohibited from immediately lobbying as an in-house lobbyist. Additionally, a consultant lobbyist is prohibited from becoming an employee of Yukon’s public service for six months after terminating her or her lobbyist registration. Penalties for violations of the Lobbyists Registration Act include fines up to $25,000 for the first violation and up to $100,000 for each subsequent violation.
As of October 16, the lobbyist registry does not have any registered lobbyists.
September 18, 2020 •
Federal By-Elections in Canada Scheduled for October 26
On October 26, federal by-elections in Canada will be held for the electoral district of York Centre (Ontario) and Toronto Centre (Ontario) to fill two vacancies in the House of Commons.
On October 26, federal by-elections in Canada will be held for the electoral district of York Centre (Ontario) and Toronto Centre (Ontario) to fill two vacancies in the House of Commons.
On August 24, Perrault had received official notice from the Speaker of the House of Commons that the seat for Toronto Centre (Ontario) became vacant following the resignation of Bill Morneau. Morneau resigned amid controversies dealing with his involvement with the WE Charity scandal.
On September 1, the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Stéphane Perrault, had received official notice from the Speaker of the House of Commons that the seat for York Centre (Ontario) became vacant following the resignation of Michael Levitt, who left his seat to become the CEO of the Canadian Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies.
The Elections Canada offices in York Centre and Toronto Centre are expected to open soon, according to its press release. As a safety measure because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Elections Canada plans to implement physical distancing at polling places and Elections Canada offices.
September 15, 2020 •
Saskatchewan Lobbying Law Amendments Awaiting Order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council
The threshold for being required to register as an in-house lobbyist will soon be lower. Bill 195, The Lobbyists Amendment Act, 2019, which received Royal Assent this summer, will come into force once the order of the Lieutenant Governor in […]
The threshold for being required to register as an in-house lobbyist will soon be lower. Bill 195, The Lobbyists Amendment Act, 2019, which received Royal Assent this summer, will come into force once the order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council is given.
The bill reduces the threshold for registration as an in-house lobbyist from 100 to 30 hours; prohibits gifts to public office holders from lobbyists, except for gifts valued at less than $200 and that are given as an incident of the protocol or social obligations normally accompanying the duties or responsibilities of office of the public office holder; and grants power to the Lieutenant Governor in Council to make regulations concerning gifts and personal benefits.
The bill outlines a gift or personal benefit to include: an amount of money, if there is no obligation to repay it; a service, hospitality or property, including the use of property, that is provided without charge or for a charge that is less than its commercial value; and any other prescribed gift or personal benefit.
Additionally, Bill 195 directs the Lobbying Act not apply when persons are acting in their official capacity as officers, directors or employees of a non-profit organization, association, society, coalition or interest group, any of which has both a charitable purpose and fewer than five employees, if the lobbying activity performed by the officers, directors and employees combined is less than 30 hours annually.
September 3, 2020 •
By-Election – York Centre (Ontario) Seat in House of Commons To Be Announced on Future Date
Sometime before February 28, 2021, a by-election will be announced for the seat in the House of Commons representing York Centre in the province of Ontario. On September 1, the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Stéphane Perrault, received official notice […]
Sometime before February 28, 2021, a by-election will be announced for the seat in the House of Commons representing York Centre in the province of Ontario.
On September 1, the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Stéphane Perrault, received official notice from the Speaker of the House of Commons that the seat for York Centre (Ontario) became vacant following the resignation of Michael Levitt, who left his seat to become the CEO of the Canadian Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies.
Under the law, the by-election date must be announced between September 12, 2020, and February 28, 2021, and will signal the start of the by-election period. According to Elections Canada, the earliest date the by-election can be held is October 19, 2020.
August 27, 2020 •
By-Election – Toronto Centre (Ontario) Seat in House of Commons To Be Announced on Future Date
Sometime before February 20, 2021, a federal by-election will be announced for the seat in the House of Commons representing Toronto Centre in the province of Ontario. On August 24, the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Stéphane Perrault, received official […]
Sometime before February 20, 2021, a federal by-election will be announced for the seat in the House of Commons representing Toronto Centre in the province of Ontario.
On August 24, the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Stéphane Perrault, received official notice from the Speaker of the House of Commons that the seat for Toronto Centre (Ontario) became vacant following the resignation of Bill Morneau.
On August 17, amid controversies dealing with his involvement with the WE Charity scandal, Morneau resigned from his seat in the House of Commons and as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s finance minister. Morneau intends to seek the position of secretary general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, according to CBC.ca.
Under the law, the by-election date must be announced between September 4, 2020, and February 20, 2021, and will signal the start of the by-election period. According to Elections Canada, the earliest date the by-election can be held is October 12, 2020.
August 10, 2020 •
October 5 Byelection for Seat on Ottawa Ontario Municipal Council
On October 5, the city of Ottawa will hold a byelection to fill the municipal council seat left vacant by Stephen Blais. The vacant Cumberland ward seat held by Blais, who left to serve as the Member of the Provincial […]
On October 5, the city of Ottawa will hold a byelection to fill the municipal council seat left vacant by Stephen Blais.
The vacant Cumberland ward seat held by Blais, who left to serve as the Member of the Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Orléans, could have been filled by an appointment made by the council itself.
While Blais was elected as MPP in February, the council held off deciding about whether to have an election or make an appointment because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In July, the Ottawa Council agreed to allow voters the choice to fill the seat.
For the first time, electors will be allowed to apply to vote by special mail-in ballot should they feel uncomfortable about voting in person or be unable to make it to a voting location.
June 9, 2020 •
Canada House of Commons Recalled June 10 to Consider COVID-19 Bill
On June 10, the House of Commons will sit by order of a recall by the Speaker Anthony Rota, who issued the proclamation on June 8. Lawmakers are being recalled to consider a bill to enact certain measures in response […]
On June 10, the House of Commons will sit by order of a recall by the Speaker Anthony Rota, who issued the proclamation on June 8. Lawmakers are being recalled to consider a bill to enact certain measures in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The House had agreed to meet following the conclusion of the proceedings of the Special Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic. The Senate, currently on an extended adjournment, is scheduled to next meet on June 16.
Since the start of safety measures to deal with the pandemic, the House and the Senate have been recalled under special standing orders for short one-day sessions.
March 23, 2020 •
Canadian Parliament to Reconvene to Address Coronavirus
On March 24, the Canadian House of Commons will reconvene for a one-day session to vote on legislation to battle the coronavirus pandemic. Lawmakers are expected to allocate more than $80 billion in emergency aid for the nation. The Canadian […]
On March 24, the Canadian House of Commons will reconvene for a one-day session to vote on legislation to battle the coronavirus pandemic.
Lawmakers are expected to allocate more than $80 billion in emergency aid for the nation.
The Canadian Senate is then expected to meet for a one-day session on March 25 to vote on that legislation.
On March 13, the Parliament had adjourned until at least April 20 because of the emerging health crisis.
March 13, 2020 •
Canadian Parliament to Adjourn Until At Least April 20
After completing its legislative business today, the Parliament of Canada will adjourn until at least April 20 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The political parties have agreed to the adjournment, according to Conservative House of Commons leader Mark Strahl. “Members […]
After completing its legislative business today, the Parliament of Canada will adjourn until at least April 20 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The political parties have agreed to the adjournment, according to Conservative House of Commons leader Mark Strahl.
“Members of Parliament are speaking with one voice today to say that we will do our part,” said MP Peter Julian on behalf of the New Democratic Party, according to Politico.
Additionally, on March 12, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife, was diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus.
Even while adjourned, the government will still have the ability to allocate federal funds to try to stem the spread of the virus.
February 24, 2020 •
Ontario Canada electoral districts Byelection for Orleans and Ottawa-Vanier: Political Blackout
From February 26 at 12:01 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on February 27, there will be the statutory blackout on political advertising. The blackout will be for the February 27 by-election being held for the Ontario Canada electoral districts of Orleans […]
From February 26 at 12:01 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on February 27, there will be the statutory blackout on political advertising.
The blackout will be for the February 27 by-election being held for the Ontario Canada electoral districts of Orleans and Ottawa-Vanier.
On August 2, 2019, the Chief Electoral of Ontario received a notice of vacancy in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for the electoral district of Ottawa-Vanier.
MPP Mona Fortier left her seat to become the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance.
On September 24, 2019, a second notice of vacancy in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario was received for the electoral district of Orleans.
MPP Marie-France Lalonde resigned from her seat to run for a seat in Canadian Parliament, which she won on October 21.
On January 29, 2020, the Office of Premier Doug Ford issued writs for the byelections to be held on February 17.
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