November 8, 2019 •
Recall Bill in Alberta Legislature
On November 6, a bill to allow recall elections of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) was reported to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Bill 204, the Election Recall Act, allows constituents to petition for the recall of an MLA […]
On November 6, a bill to allow recall elections of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) was reported to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.
Bill 204, the Election Recall Act, allows constituents to petition for the recall of an MLA if 40 percent of eligible voters sign the petition within a 60-day window.
A petition would not be permitted six months before or 18 months after a general election.
The legislation is a private bill introduced by MLA Mark Smith in October.
October 30, 2019 •
Provincial By-election for Capitale-Nationale riding of Jean-Talon to be Held December 2
On December 2, a provincial by-election will be held in the Capitale-Nationale riding of Jean-Talon for the Quebec National Assembly. The election will be held to fill the vacant seat of former Member of the National Assembly Sébastien Proulx, who […]
On December 2, a provincial by-election will be held in the Capitale-Nationale riding of Jean-Talon for the Quebec National Assembly.
The election will be held to fill the vacant seat of former Member of the National Assembly Sébastien Proulx, who resigned in August to return to private life.
The election was announced by Premier François Legault on October 27
October 9, 2019 •
Canada’s Government Contracts Regulations Requires Declaration: No Frauds Committed
Bidders attempting to contract with the Canadian federal government are required to certify they have not committed crimes of fraud or acts of corruptions. Recent amendments to the Government Contracts Regulations require a bidder declare he or she has not, […]
Bidders attempting to contract with the Canadian federal government are required to certify they have not committed crimes of fraud or acts of corruptions.
Recent amendments to the Government Contracts Regulations require a bidder declare he or she has not, during the bid solicitation process, committed an act or engaged in an activity constituting any specifically enumerated violations under the nation’s Criminal Code, the Financial Administration Act, the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act, or the Competition Act.
Additionally, the amended rules allow a contracting authority to now enter into a construction contract, or any contract not using the solicitation of bids, when the value of the contract does not exceed $40,000, an increase from the previous threshold of $25,000.
October 9, 2019 •
Prince Edward Island Lawmakers Want Public Input on Rules
On October 7, lawmakers in the Prince Edward Island Legislative Assembly solicited public input regarding what procedural rules they should follow. The Standing Committee on Rules, Regulations, Private Bills and Privileges is seeking public input on the Rules of the […]
On October 7, lawmakers in the Prince Edward Island Legislative Assembly solicited public input regarding what procedural rules they should follow.
The Standing Committee on Rules, Regulations, Private Bills and Privileges is seeking public input on the Rules of the Legislative Assembly, in particular on potential changes to the parliamentary calendar, sitting hours, and budget process.
Public comments and suggestions by individuals and organizations must be in writing and submitted to the Assembly by October 25.
August 20, 2019 •
Election for Calgary Forest Lawn (Alberta) Vacant Seat to Be Held on Fixed October Election
On October 21, 2019, the fixed date for Canadian federal elections, the election for the now-vacant seat in the House of Commons representing Calgary Forest Lawn (Alberta) will be held. Because this vacancy occurred less than nine months before October’s […]
On October 21, 2019, the fixed date for Canadian federal elections, the election for the now-vacant seat in the House of Commons representing Calgary Forest Lawn (Alberta) will be held.
Because this vacancy occurred less than nine months before October’s fixed-date general election, no by-election will be held.
On August 15, the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Stéphane Perrault, received official notice from the Speaker of the House of Commons that the seat for Calgary Forest Lawn (Alberta) became vacant.
The vacancy came following the death of MP Deepak Obhrai on August 2.
Obhrai had been the longest-serving Conservative member of Parliament.
August 15, 2019 •
Ethics Office Finds Trudeau Violated Conflict of Interest Act
On August 14, Canada’s federal ethics office issued a report finding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used his position to seek to influence a decision of the Attorney General of Canada relating to a criminal prosecution involving a Canadian corporation based […]
On August 14, Canada’s federal ethics office issued a report finding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used his position to seek to influence a decision of the Attorney General of Canada relating to a criminal prosecution involving a Canadian corporation based in Montreal.
The 63-page report, released by the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, was prepared by Commissioner Mario Dion.
Dion concludes in the report that Trudeau violated section 9 of the Conflict of Interest Act.
Section 9 prohibits public office holders from using their position to seek to influence a decision of another person to further their own private interests or those of their relatives or friends, or to improperly further another person’s private interests.
Included in the report is a summary of the official response from Trudeau’s legal counsel denying culpability.
August 9, 2019 •
By-Election to be Called for Ontario Legislative Assembly Seat for Electoral District of Ottawa-Vanier
Sometime on or before February 2, 2020, a by-election must be held for the seat in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for the electoral district of Ottawa-Vanier. On August 2, the Chief Electoral Officer of Ontario received a notice of […]
Sometime on or before February 2, 2020, a by-election must be held for the seat in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for the electoral district of Ottawa-Vanier.
On August 2, the Chief Electoral Officer of Ontario received a notice of vacancy for the position from the Assembly.
MPP Nathalie Des Rosiers, who had announced her intention to leave office on May 16, resigned on July 31 to begin working August 1 as the Principal of Massey College at the University of Toronto.
Any by-election in the province must be called within six months of the Chief Electoral Officer receiving notice of the vacancy.
July 19, 2019 •
July 31: Three MLAs to Resign Nova Scotia House of Assembly
On July 31, three members of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly will resign their positions to seek federal positions. The members, Chris D’Entremont, Alfie MacLeod, and Eddie Orrell, have been nominated as candidates for the Conservative Party of Canada. […]
On July 31, three members of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly will resign their positions to seek federal positions.
The members, Chris D’Entremont, Alfie MacLeod, and Eddie Orrell, have been nominated as candidates for the Conservative Party of Canada.
The three are required to step down before the writ period begins for the fall elections.
By-elections for the soon-to-be-vacant provincial seats have not been yet been called.
June 7, 2019 •
Ontario Legislature Adjourns, Moves Return Date
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario adjourned its legislative session on June 6 and voted 64-35 to not return till October 28, a week following the federal election. Ontario is expected to be a major battleground in the upcoming election, with […]
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario adjourned its legislative session on June 6 and voted 64-35 to not return till October 28, a week following the federal election.
Ontario is expected to be a major battleground in the upcoming election, with the Conservative Party hoping to make major gains in the province.
Members of opposition parties suggest the extended break is an attempt to avoid hurting the Conservative Party’s chances to regain control.
June 4, 2019 •
Manitoba Assembly Adjourns: Municipal Amendment Act Receives Royal Assent
On June 3, the 4th Session of the 41st Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, which began on November 20, 2018, adjourned until October 2, 2019. Bill 2, The Municipal Amendment Act (Strengthening Codes of Conduct for Council Members), received Royal Assent […]
On June 3, the 4th Session of the 41st Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, which began on November 20, 2018, adjourned until October 2, 2019.
Bill 2, The Municipal Amendment Act (Strengthening Codes of Conduct for Council Members), received Royal Assent on June 3.
The new law amends The Municipal Act to require a code of conduct for members of municipal councils be adopted through by-laws.
The code must include procedures for receiving and dealing with reports of contraventions, relevant sanctions, and training on the municipality’s code of conduct.
The new legislation requires each member of a council to undergo training.
Lawmakers plan to adjourn the Assembly again on November 7.
May 10, 2019 •
Bill in Ontario Addresses Leadership Fundraising
On April 29, a bill was introduced in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for purposes of clarifying certain contributions. Bill 103, the Election Finances Amendment Act (Leadership Fundraising Loophole) 2019, amends the Election Finances Act and provides that contributions to […]
On April 29, a bill was introduced in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for purposes of clarifying certain contributions.
Bill 103, the Election Finances Amendment Act (Leadership Fundraising Loophole) 2019, amends the Election Finances Act and provides that contributions to a leadership campaign following a leadership vote may only be used for the purpose of paying off campaign debt.
If passed, the private member’s bill introduced by MPP John Fraser, will come into effect on the day it receives Royal Assent.
May 2, 2019 •
Canada’s Lobbying Commissioner Recommends Amending Lobbying Act
On April 30, Nancy Bélanger, the Commissioner of Lobbying Canada, recommended to the Parliament that they amend the nation’s federal Lobbying Act to improve transparency when the travel of public officials is sponsored by lobbyists. Bélanger made her recommendation in […]
On April 30, Nancy Bélanger, the Commissioner of Lobbying Canada, recommended to the Parliament that they amend the nation’s federal Lobbying Act to improve transparency when the travel of public officials is sponsored by lobbyists.
Bélanger made her recommendation in her report to the House of Commons and to the Senate on her office’s investigation into sponsored travel provided by lobbyists.
The Commissioner found no violation of law related to sponsored travel, but did find a gap in the level of transparency of information disclosed in the Registry of Lobbyists.
“Amending disclosure requirements to include additional information that the Commissioner of Lobbying considers relevant would ensure that sponsored travel is captured as part of the context in which lobbying occurred,” said Bélanger in her press release.
April 19, 2019 •
General Election Called in Newfoundland and Labrador
On April 17, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Dwight Ball issued a writ of election for the provincial general election to take place on May 16. On the same day, Bruce Chaulk, the Chief Electoral Officer of Newfoundland and Labrador, issued […]
On April 17, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Dwight Ball issued a writ of election for the provincial general election to take place on May 16.
On the same day, Bruce Chaulk, the Chief Electoral Officer of Newfoundland and Labrador, issued election writs to all 40 district returning officers of the province announcing the new date.
The advance poll date is May 9 and the deadline for candidate nominations is April 25.
Elections NL is also set to accept early voting applications, which will be available between April 25 and May 9.
Ball called for the election after tabling the budget.
“I am now seeking a mandate from the people of our province to continue our plan,” Ball announced according to the Western Star.
April 4, 2019 •
Prince Edward Island General Election To Be Held April 23
On April 23, a general election for the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island will be held. The 65th General Assembly was dissolved on March 26. On March 27, Premier Wade MacLauchlan called for the general election for the 66th […]
On April 23, a general election for the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island will be held.
The 65th General Assembly was dissolved on March 26. On March 27, Premier Wade MacLauchlan called for the general election for the 66th General Assembly to be held on the April date.
A binding Election System Referendum regarding the province’s voting system is also scheduled for April 23.
The question on the referendum ballot is, “Should Prince Edward Island change its voting system to a mixed member proportional voting system?”
Advance polls for early voting will be held on April 13, April 15, and April 18.
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