Houston government closes the book on controversial budget session
The budget and several other government bills received Royal Assent on Thursday
Winter session at Province House comes to a closeThe Progressive Conservatives’ 2026 budget session, which drew significant public ire and attention, concluded Thursday after a record 27 sitting days.
Lieutenant-Governor Mike Savage attended Province House Thursday afternoon to give Royal Assent to 10 government bills – some of which saw changes before they were passed in the face of protest.
Government House Leader Brendan Maguire said it was a good session that showed democracy at work.
“I’m proud of people that come to this House and have their voices heard,” he told reporters Thursday. “And in some cases it helped change minds.”
Thousands of Nova Scotians took to the streets for a series of protests over budget cuts starting in early March. House Speaker Danielle Barkhouse restricted public access to the House because of increasing tension, and later barred the public entirely for a week after singing protesters in the gallery delayed the final vote on the budget.
Among the legislation that passed are two bills related to the budget – the Appropriations Act and the Financial Measures Act – paving the way for the government to spend close to $19 billion in the coming year and make around $250 million in cuts to jobs, grants and programs.
The government has presented the cuts as difficult, but necessary to contend with a deficit of approximately $1.2 billion. The shortfall adds to the province’s growing debt and underscores mounting fiscal challenges that could require several more years of cuts, according to the government’s four-year fiscal sustainability plan.
Protesters
fill Granville Street outside the Nova Scotia Legislature on March 4,
2026, to oppose the Houston government's budget cuts. (Michael Gorman/CBC)Public pushback
Premier Tim Houston and his MLAs were hotly criticized for the cuts that initially totalled more than $300 million, but funding to some grants and programs was restored about two weeks after the budget was tabled.
Houston said he was convinced that some changes were needed as a result of private conversations he and his caucus had with their constituents about the impacts of the cuts.
He did not give credit to the thousands of protestors who assembled, multiple times, outside Province House or the audience members at an African Heritage Month gala who booed and heckled him throughout a speech he delivered a few days after the budget was made public.
Public dissent continued throughout the session, especially from people advocating for funding to be restored for the arts and culture sectors. It was not.
Other legislation
There was also pushback against a proposed change to easements – binding legal agreements landowners can sign to ensure their property will be protected for a particular purpose even if it changes hands. In the face of that opposition, the government walked back the proposal.
There was public resistance to a bill from Social Development Minister Barbara Adams that extends publication bans on children who have been in the care of the province beyond their death. That bill passed, unchanged.
Among the other pieces of legislation that passed this session are an energy bill that defines how the province will make money from offshore wind developments and new cannabis rules aimed at strengthening enforcement to support the government crackdown on unregulated cannabis sales.
MLAs also passed a bill that establishes province-wide standards for fire services and one that creates a protected Acadian riding in Cape Breton.
Quick off the blocks
The government started the session moving at a rapid clip, with the budget tabled on the first day and most of its legislation tabled within the first three days. But business slowed as the session continued.
Opposition parties asked for a re-do of the budget and independent members extended debate on multiple bills.
The session is the longest on the Houston government’s record and the longest since 2018’s budget session under the McNeil Liberal government, which also lasted 27 days.
Premier away
NDP Leader Claudia Chender said the session ended with trust in government at “an all-time low.”
She pointed to the budget cuts, out-of-budget spending and the rising cost of living.
“And against all of that backdrop, we have a premier who has not, basically, bothered to show up.”
Houston was absent as the session wrapped as he’s in Calgary for meetings with energy companies and to host a roundtable and dinner along with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Earlier in the session he travelled to Toronto for a mining conference and to Texas for an oil and gas conference.
Liberal MLA Derek Mombourquette said it was a tough session that impacted a lot of people. He also remarked on the premier’s repeated absences.
“It just gets worse and worse with every session,” he told reporters.
“I don’t buy this argument that he has to be out of the legislature to do that work. That work goes on everyday. I think he’s strategically planning those meetings so he doesn’t have to be here.”
PC MLA Marco MacLeod, who has the title of ministerial assistant to the minister of energy, stood in the premier’s stead in Question Period Thursday in response to Opposition questions about the energy file.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, he said it was an “honour” to speak on the premier’s behalf.
“I’m glad to be here because it means the premier is able—this week he was in Western Canada to promote our province and to look for opportunities for us,” said MacLeod.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
From: Blanchet, Yves-François - Député <Yves-Francois.Blanchet@parl.gc.ca>
Date: Fri, Apr 10, 2026 at 1:53 PM
Subject: Réponse automatique : My heart goes out to Melissa Ellsworth
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
(Ceci est une réponse automatique)
(English follows)
Bonjour,
Nous avons bien reçu votre courriel et nous vous remercions d'avoir écrit à M. Yves-François Blanchet, député de Beloeil-Chambly et chef du Bloc Québécois.
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From: Poilievre, Pierre - M.P. <pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca>
Date: Fri, Apr 10, 2026 at 1:53 PM
Subject: Acknowledgement – Email Received / Accusé de réception – Courriel reçu
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
On behalf of the Hon. Pierre Poilievre, we would like to thank you for contacting the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition.
Mr. Poilievre greatly values feedback and input from Canadians. We wish to inform you that the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition reads and reviews every e-mail we receive. Please note that this account receives a high volume of e-mails, and we endeavour to reply as quickly as possible.
If you are a constituent of Mr. Poilievre in the riding of Battle River - Crowfoot and you have an urgent matter to discuss, please contact his constituency office at:
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Hon. Pierre Poilievre, M.P.
Battle River – Crowfoot
4945 50 Street
Camrose, Alberta T4V 1P9
Once again, thank you for writing.
Sincerely,
Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition
______________________________
Au nom de l’honorable Pierre Poilievre, nous tenons à vous remercier d’avoir communiqué avec le Bureau du chef de l’Opposition officielle.
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From: Greg Morrow <gregmorrow4gt@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Apr 10, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Subject: Thank you for contacting the office of Greg Morrow MLA Re: My heart goes out to Melissa Ellsworth
To: <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
- Provincial Programs please dial 211 or call Access Nova Scotia 1-800-670-4357
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Learn more about Nova Scotia Loyal at www.nsloyal.ca
Date: Fri, Apr 10, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Subject: Thank you for your email Re: My heart goes out to Melissa Ellsworth
To: <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Police and the RCMP are not the only officers who uphold law in Nova
Scotia. Conservation Officers are sworn peace officers under the Crown
Lands Act and other provincial statutes. They investigate offences,
seize property, and lay charges. They have the powers, authorities, and
immunities of peace officers under the Criminal Code. They operate under
the Minister of Natural Resources.From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Apr 10, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Subject: Re: My heart goes out to Melissa Ellsworth
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Tim Houston’s radical transformation of Nova Scotia exemplifies the global attack on decency
Credit: Iris/ Yvette d'Entremont/ Ross Stone/ Unsplash
The Nova Scotia legislative session ended yesterday, and I can’t let the moment pass without first commenting on Jennifer Henderson’s reporting work on Province House.
In March, the Halifax Examiner published 31 articles written by Henderson — on average, one a day, but some days there were three. Over the first nine days of April, Henderson wrote an additional eight articles.
This is a prodigious level of reporting, not just in volume but additionally for the level of background knowledge and context she brings to the file.
And here’s something more: Henderson did most of this reporting with a broken wrist and while wearing a cast. Just amazing.
I’m unable to adequately express how much I personally value Henderson’s contribution to informing the public. I hope you value it as much, and if you are able, I hope that you can support that work by subscribing to the Examiner. We’re lucky to have her, and I want to continue to have her on board.
We especially needed someone right now with Henderson’s knowledge and drive to cover the day-to-day proceedings at Province House because the Houston government is imposing a radical transformation of government.
This transformation — the defunding of government itself, the gutting of civil society organizations, a purposefully destructive tax policy leading to massive deficits, the evisceration of environmental protections, the servile relationship to fossil fuel and extraction industries, the Kafkaesque upending of democratic processes, and so much more — is of such a scale that, should the species survive, it will be studied by future historians as the epitome of the powerful abandoning the modern liberal state.
Henderson’s reporting is the first draft of that history, and the Examiner’s larger Dismantling Democracy series will supplement it.
I cannot stress this enough: this is not business as usual, not just another turn at party politics, not something that can be reversed by a future government.
We here at the Halifax Examiner mostly look at the Nova Scotia end of the current politics of destruction, but that’s of a piece with the broader global attacks on decency.
I mean, the president of the United States just threatened that “a whole civilization will die” — and he’s right! Just not as he imagined.
Supposedly — Herodotus might’ve just made the whole thing up, but still — in 550 B.C., Croesus, the king of Lydia (what’s now roughly the western half of Turkey) was debating whether to go to war with the much larger Persian empire to the east, ruled by Cyrus the Great, and so Croesus consulted with the Oracle of Delphi. The oracle told Croesus that he’d “destroy a great empire” if he attacked Cyrus. Croesus took that to mean he’d be successful against the Persians, and so went to war, but in actuality the great empire he destroyed was his own.
The (perhaps) historic parallel is a little too on point as Trump rattles his chains at Iran.
Who knows what will happen, but the post-Second World War order and the Pax Americana that came with it are dead as a doornail. Ain’t no going back.
We live in terrible times. The Pentagon has threatened the Vatican, which is not a sentence that could appear even in the wildest fiction before this week. There is a realistic chance that nuclear war, or wars, could break out at any moment. The tech titans are comic book villains determined to destroy the Earth. No one in power even pretends to care about climate change any more. We’re the richest civilization the world has ever seen, but governments everywhere say they can’t afford the basic human supports that were commonplace just decades ago. Terrible times.
We may or may not get through these times but if we do, the other side of the current upending will look nothing at all like the past. We’ll either find ourselves living in a dystopic nightmare or, somehow, find justice and completely rebuild a pluralistic society.
There’s no longer any chance of just muddling through. That’s not a choice.
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N.S. spring legislative session ends, opposition parties express disappointment at ‘missed opportunities’
Marco
MacLeod, MLA for Pictou West and ministerial assistant to Energy
Minister (and premier) Tim Houston, speaking with reporters at the
legislature on April 9, 2026. Credit: Jennifer Henderson
The spring session of the Nova Scotia legislature ended Thursday, with the government passing a bill to improve support for fire departments, establish provincial standards, and allow communities the flexibility to choose their own model of service.
The final day also saw both opposition parties express disappointment at what they described as “missed opportunities” by Premier Tim Houston’s government.
Liberal House leader Derek Mombourquette took the Progressive Conservatives to task for failing to seize the chance to improve strained relations with First Nations communities over the enforcement of the Cannabis Control Act, which has led to protests and the blocking of roadways.
During this session, Mombourquette introduced an amendment that would have included a First Nation in the name of one of two ridings resulting from a recent change to an electoral boundary in Cape Breton.
After an order by the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, the province was forced to establish an independent electoral boundary commission. The court ruled a decision by a previous commission not to create a separate electoral district for Chéticamp violated Section 3 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Houston government followed the recommendation of the 2025 boundary commission to carve out a new and fourth Acadian seat – this one with fewer than 4,000 voters – from the former riding of Inverness.
Houston’s government accepted the commission’s recommendation to name the new Acadian riding “Chéticamp-Margarees-Pleasant Bay.” However it did not follow the commission’s recommendation to rename the former riding “Inverness-We’koqma’q.”
‘A small but powerful opportunity to show respect’
Mombourquette introduced an amendment to the legislation to establish the new and Acadian seat that would have included the name of the First Nations community, but the government declined to support it.
“As the member for Sydney-Membertou, it is a real privilege and honour to represent a riding whose name reflects the people who live there and the relationship with Indigenous communities,” Mombourquette said.
“That’s why it’s so disappointing to see this government reject a simple, meaningful step, like recognizing We’koqma’q (Waycobah) in the name. Especially in a session where we’ve seen cuts to Indigenous funding and a real strain on those relationships. This was a small but powerful opportunity to show respect, and the government chose not to take it.”
‘Names are important’
As
shown in the Electoral Boundaries Commission’s final report in January,
the current district of Inverness would be divided into two new
electoral districts: Cheticamp-Margarees-Pleasant Bay and
Inverness-We’koqma’q. Credit: Electoral Boundaries Commission
During Thursday’s question period, Mombourquette asked both the justice and L’Nu affairs ministers to explain why the government didn’t use the opportunity. Justice Minister Scott Armstrong did the answering for the government, and in a scrum with reporters offered his reasoning.
“Names are important, and Inverness is the traditional name for that riding. We made a decision to have the least disruption possible,” Armstrong said.
“We just had a general election a few months ago.”
Armstrong noted there are 60 different communities within the western Cape Breton riding of Inverness, including the largest, Port Hawkesbury. The minister said naming one community would exclude others. He suggested the names of all ridings can be revisited during the next boundary review that will probably take place after the next provincial election.
Meanwhile, Armstrong said he’s hopeful that when a byelection is called for the tiny Chéticamp-Margarees-Pleasant Bay riding, voters will choose to send another Progressive Conservative member to the legislature. Inverness is currently represented by PC Kyle MacQuarrie.
No relief for higher power rates
Official Opposition and NDP Leader Claudia Chender scolded the government for failing to introduce a program to help lower income households with power rates set to rise another 3.1% at the end of this month.
Chender had a question for the premier (who is also the energy minister), but Houston is in Calgary this week. In his absence, ministerial assistant Marco MacLeod (PC MLA for Pictou West) stood in for his boss.
Chender: By January of next year, the average Nova Scotian will be spending $600 more a year for power than they did when this government was elected.
Yet the energy minister has offered no help to people to manage their even higher bills. When can Nova Scotians expect the energy minister to do more than just talk about helping people meet energy?
MacLeod: When you pay your power bill, about half that cost goes for fuel, fuel that is volatile that we don’t have a whole lot of control over. Let’s make that energy here in our province.
Wind is the most affordable form of electricity that we can make. This summer, there are going to be many wind farms under construction, so I ask all MLAs, take heed on the highway and when you see a wind (turbine) blade go by, give them a thumbs up.
‘Waving at windmills is not the advice that people want’
Following the last provincial election, the premier gave all MLAs who were not cabinet ministers assignments as “ministerial assistants.”
The job does not come with a written job description, but it does come with an additional $16,000 a year on top of the MLA’s salary. MacLeod’s answer did not satisfy Chender.
“They (the PCs) have refused to put in place an affordable energy program for hundreds of thousands who need it, and they won’t commit to reviewing how the power company operates,” Chender said.
“Waving at windmills is not the advice that people want. Can the energy minister tell us today what real action would help people afford their bills now.”
MacLeod offered his response.
“Let’s talk about Nova Scotia Power. We’ve carved IESO, the Independent Energy System Operator, out of Nova Scotia Power to bring competitiveness to how electricity is generated in this province,” MacLeod said.
“We need to talk about energy sovereignty, so that’s why we’re looking at local natural gas. Not only are there economic benefits, but it will stabilize prices.”
As a final note, Finance Minister John Lohr told reporters he remains optimistic the development of the province’s natural resources will grow the province’s economy and reduce deficits forecast to be in the range of a billion dollars in each of the next three years as the province continues to build a major new hospital and more long-term care homes.
Jennifer Henderson is a freelance journalist and retired CBC News reporter. More by Jennifer Henderson
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Date: Fri, Apr 10, 2026 at 1:51 PM
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Houston's longest session as premier poised to wrap as N.S. government passes bills Tuesday night
There remain 4 government bills to clear third reading, as midnight hours continue
After weeks of extended and — at times — acrimonious debate, the Nova Scotia government passed four pieces of legislation Tuesday night at Province House, as what’s become the longest session of Tim Houston’s time as premier appears to be nearing its conclusion.
The government passed legislation to create a new electoral district for the Acadian community of Chéticamp; amend the Cannabis Control Act to bring in stiffer penalties and more enforcement around non-government operated outlets; update the Elections Act; and amend the Community Colleges Act to give the government final say over hiring the president of NSCC.
- Nova Scotia electoral map to be redrawn to add Acadian riding in Chéticamp
- New bill increases fines, enforcement powers for illegal cannabis in Nova Scotia
Deputy government House leader Melissa Sheehy-Richard said it was a productive night for the government, although she shied away from predicting when the session could wrap up.
“It’s hard to anticipate what … happens in the legislature,” she said.
“It depends on how much the other side would like to speak to some of the bills that are still before the House.”
Public concerns about the budget
NDP Leader Claudia Chender said the government is continuing its trend of passing legislation late in the evening, but it’s been clear throughout the session that people are engaged.
“Many of these bills centralize power and make it harder for Nova Scotians to understand how their money is being spent, reduce accountability, and I think that we have been successful in creating the opportunities for Nova Scotians to understand what’s happening here,” she said.
Prior to Tuesday, the government had only passed the Appropriations Act — the bill that authorizes spending in the provincial budget — and the Financial Measures Act (FMA), legislation that includes tax measures related to the budget and other changes.
The latter drew a large number of people to appear before the public bills committee to express their concerns with the bill itself, which makes changes to 20 pieces of legislation, and the budget more generally, which includes a host of cuts and plans to reduce the civil service and broader public sector, despite an overall increase in spending and a $1.2-billion deficit.
- 'We got it wrong': N.S. government reverses course on some budget cuts after outcry
- Province's list of restored grants includes staff cut reversal for nursing homes
Liberal House leader Derek Mombourquette said the amount of time it took for the government to pass the FMA is a reflection of how people are feeling about the budget.
“That has been where the vast majority of Nova Scotians have come forward and expressed concern about the impacts that it’s had on communities, really, right across the province,” he said.
Long hours, late nights
There remain four government bills on the order paper that have yet to pass third reading. With House hours scheduled until 11:59 p.m. for each of the remaining days this week, it’s anticipated that the session is approaching its final day.
Houston’s longest session as premier prior to this one was last year’s spring session, which lasted 20 days.
Tuesday marked the 25th day of this session.
The majority of the sittings, beginning with the day after the budget was tabled on Feb. 23, have seen the government call extended hours that have stretched business well into the evening until 11:59 p.m. most days, an unprecedented approach to running the House.
Premier's missed days
Houston, who is also Nova Scotia’s energy minister, has missed a number of days during the session.
This week he’s in Calgary for meetings with members of the oil and gas sector as part of his ongoing efforts to drum up interest in natural resource development in this province. He’s expected back sometime on Friday.
The premier was in Texas for an international oil and gas conference March 23-26.
At the beginning of March, he was in Toronto for several days for a mining conference, meetings with Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Germany’s ambassador to Canada, and to attend the federal, provincial and territorial energy and mines ministers’ conference.
The current session at Province House is now the longest since former premier Stephen McNeil’s budget session of 2018, which lasted 27 days.
Winter session at Province House expected to wrap this weekABOUT THE AUTHOR
Independent MLAs slow N.S. government agenda at Province House
Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin and Becky Druhan say they're sharing the concerns of the public
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From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Mar 4, 2026 at 8:35 AM
Subject: Fwd: [Auto-Reply] Thank You For Reaching Out, We Have Received Your Email - Leah Martin MLA Cole Harbour Re: My heart goes out to Melissa Ellsworth
To: <leahmartinmla@gmail.com>, <lnuaffairsminister@novascotia.ca>, <women@novascotia.ca> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Leah Martin <leahmartinmla@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Feb 26, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Subject: [Auto-Reply] Thank You For Reaching Out, We Have Received Your Email - Leah Martin MLA Cole Harbour Re: My heart goes out to Melissa Ellsworth
To: <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> Thank you for reaching out to your local MLA Leah Martin at the Cole Harbour Constituency Office.We are located at 1081 Cole Harbour Road, Suite 6 and are open Monday to Friday 8:30am-4:00 pm.We receive a high volume of emails and phone calls and your email will be responded to in queue.If you have not received a response to your email within 3-5 business days, please follow-up.If the matter is urgent or time sensitive please call the office at 902-462-8907.If you are inquiring about COVID-19 tests we have them available for pickup here at the office. Please call ahead prior to pickup if possible.Any inquiries related to Minister Martin's cabinet positions below will be forwarded to the respective department for a response;Minister of Communications Nova ScotiaMinister responsible for L'nu AffairsMinister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women ActMinister responsible for YouthThank you for your email and we will be in touch shortly. We hope you have a great day.---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Feb 27, 2026 at 11:58 AM
Subject: Re: My heart goes out to Melissa Ellsworth
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Cc: <speaker@novascotia.ca>, <PCcaucus@novascotia.ca>, <rodwilson@nsmla.ca>, <paulwozney@nsmla.ca>, <susanleblanc@nsmla.ca>, <lisalachance@nsmla.ca>, <suzyhansen@nsmla.ca>, <linahamid@nsmla.ca>, <kristagallagher@nsmla.ca>, <kendracoombes@nsmla.ca>, <info@iainrankin.ca>, <info@mombourquette.ca>, <info@beckydruhan.ca>, <michellethompsonmla@gmail.com>, <Gary.Anand@parl.gc.ca>, <Yves-Francois.Blanchet@parl. gc.ca>, <pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca>, <mlajulievanexan@gmail.com>, <PREMIER@novascotia.ca>, <nolan.young@shelburnemla.ca>, <michael.gorman@cbc.ca> On Fri, Feb 27, 2026 at 11:58 AM David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> wrote: 
Finance and National Revenue Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne greets committee members before his appearance at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance in Ottawa, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick DoyleOTTAWA — The federal Liberals’ Budget Implementation Act has passed a confidence vote in the House of Commons.
Bill C-15 carried on division, meaning there was no recorded vote in Parliament.
The legislation enacts key measures proposed in the Liberals’ 2025 federal budget, which passed a confidence vote for Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government in November last year.
Opposition parties worked with the Liberals to fast-track the bill through the House of Commons.
The Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois negotiated several amendments to the Liberals’ legislation in a clause-by-clause review at finance committee on Monday.
The Senate must now approve the bill before it receives royal assent and becomes law.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 26, 2026
Feb 26, 2026This morning the OGGO committee heard from Jason Jacques, the Interim Parliamentary Budget Officer who is responsible for overseeing the Liberal government's finances, and has rightfully criticized the government for failing to meet it's own fiscal anchors. His role as interim PBO ends in 4 days and so far, the government has said whether or not they will give him a mandate to continue.23 Comments
Jason Jacques is a gatekeeper of the highest order
Feb 26, 2026As the polling gap widens between Mark Carney’s Liberals and Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives, a surprising new trend has emerged.In Alberta, three new polls suggest the margin between the two parties has closed significantly. What is behind this shift in the polls, is it the real deal and what could it mean for the next election? We break it all down on this week’s episode of The Numbers.We also discuss the results of the Chicoutimi byelection as well as some new provincial polling out of Quebec and Ontario, where Doug Ford has dismissed numbers that show he might be losing a step on his rivals.224 Comments
IMHO The Bloc rules the roost as Pierre Poilievre’s goose is cooked I am surprised that Carney has not had a writ dropped already
The Canadian Press Feb. 26, 2026The federal Liberals’ Budget Implementation Act has passed a confidence vote in the House of Commons.Conservatives Square Off Against Carney's Ministers | Question Period | Feb 26
Canadian Capital Clips
Feb 26, 2026Conservative MPs squared off against Carney's Liberal Cabinet Ministers today during question period in the House of Commons, while Carney is flying to India, and Pierre is in Toronto for a conference.25 Comments
TUT TUT TUTThis report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 26, 2026The federal Liberals’ Budget Implementation Act has passed a confidence vote in the House of Commons.The Budget Implementation Act was carried on division, meaning there was no recorded vote in Parliament.IMHO Every member of the opposition who assisted the LIEbranos in passing the most evil budget in Canadian history should lose their seat in the next election"The Senate must now approve the bill before it receives royal assent and becomes law."Methinks everybody knows what the outcome of that will be N'esy Pas?Anandasangaree EMBARRASSED: Minister Grilled on China Risks – CSIS Won't Back His Claims!
this guy's garage
Feb 26, 2026Meeting No. 23 – Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN) Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | Wellington Building, Room 415, Ottawa In this explosive TRAN session, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree faces brutal questioning on national security risks from Chinese involvement in Canadian infrastructure and influence operations.MPs hammer the minister on the lack of federal security reviews for provincial deals (e.g., BC Ferries vessels from Chinese shipyards), government claims on threats vs. CSIS's apparent reluctance or inability to fully corroborate or provide details, and broader exposure of gaps in countering Chinese interference—highlighting potential risks to Canada's sovereignty, critical infrastructure, and democratic processes.The minister's responses draw sharp criticism for perceived incompetence, evasion, and failure to align with intelligence realities, amid ongoing debates on foreign interference (PRC identified as a top threat in prior inquiries/CSIS assessments) and procurement vulnerabilities.Tense, unfiltered exchanges spotlight transparency failures and national security blind spots!Full official source: ParlVu – Parliament of Canada Direct link to the archived webcast (search "TRAN Meeting 23" or February 25, 2026): https://parlvu.parl.gc.ca/Harmony/en/... (or browse ourcommons.ca/Committees/en/ TRAN/Meetings for on-demand archive). For complete unedited video, evidence, witnesses list, and Hansard transcript: ourcommons.ca (Meeting 23 Notice/Evidence forthcoming; also check CPAC.ca for rebroadcasts).Uploaded by @thisguysgarage for public education, commentary, and transparency on national security and foreign interference issues. This video features selected clips from the parliamentary proceedings with added context, highlights, summarization, and focus on key grilling moments (e.g., Anandasangaree's defense, CSIS info gaps, China risks) to make complex committee scrutiny accessible and spark discussion among Canadians concerned with sovereignty and threats.Fair Use / Transformative Statement:This content qualifies as fair dealing under the Canadian Copyright Act (s. 29 – criticism, review, news reporting, education, research) and/or fair use under U.S. doctrine (17 U.S.C. § 107 – criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching). It is transformative: original public proceedings are excerpted selectively, with added framing, commentary, emphasis on controversial elements (e.g., incompetence claims, CSIS-government disconnect, China interference risks), and summarization to inform viewers—not to substitute the full record or for commercial replacement. No infringement intended. All original material belongs to the Parliament of Canada / House of Commons (public domain parliamentary proceedings). For the complete session, view directly on ParlVu or ourcommons.ca.Was Minister Anandasangaree's performance incompetent, or is the government hiding something on China/CSIS?Drop your thoughts below, like if this exposes real risks, and subscribe for more raw committee breakdowns, security scandals, and foreign interference exposes! #GaryAnandasangaree338 Comments
This is an email Dominic LeBlanc sent to me acting as an ethical Minister of Public SafetyFrom: Minister of Public Safety / Ministre de la Sécurité publiqueDate: Thu, 18 Jan 2024 16:17:02 +0000Subject: Response from Public Safety Canada - LEB-001083 / Réponse de Sécurité Publique Canada - LEB-001083To: David Raymond AmosUnclassified | Non classifiéDear David Amos,This is in response to your correspondence dated July 24, 2019, addressed to the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, concerning the New Brunswick Police Commission.We regret to inform you that after examining your correspondence, it has been determined that the subject matter which you raise does not fall under the purview of our department and portfolio agencies.This can be brought to the attention of the Saint John, New Brunswick Police Commission. Consequently, no response will be provided.Thank you for taking the time to write.Ministerial Correspondence Unit Public Safety CanadaLiberals accept Conservative proposals to limit 'immense' cabinet powers in budget bill
Vote on Budget Implementation Act could come this week
Conservative MP Andrew Scheer said Monday he was pleased the government has accepted his party's amendments. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)The federal Liberals have accepted amendments to the most controversial section of the Carney government's omnibus budget bill, effectively putting guardrails on new proposed powers that would allow the government to grant corporations the ability to bypass existing laws and regulations.
The House of Commons finance committee voted in favour of four Conservative amendments on Monday during a clause-by-clause review of C-15, the Budget Implementation Act.
The bill as tabled granted any cabinet minister the ability create "regulatory sandboxes," temporarily exempting individuals or businesses from any federal law with the exception of the Criminal Code.
"This is an immense concentration of power and what is clear is that this concern has been widespread and consistent," said Ontario Conservative MP Sandra Cobena.
WATCH | Liberals, Conservatives negotiating path forward for bills:Liberals, Conservatives in behind-the-scenes talks to avoid spring election: sources
February 10|Duration 1:56Liberals and Conservatives are working out a path that could keep the government in power, sources tell CBC News, while Prime Minister Mark Carney continues to downplay the likelihood of a spring election.Canada is not the only country to propose this type of power — an OECD report shows that sandboxes are increasingly being deployed as a limited form of regulatory waiver or flexibility in order to spur competitive innovation in a digital age, where business models are shifting rapidly.
The report notes that sandboxes exist in countries including the United States, France, Germany and the U.K.
However, different countries employ different levels of safeguards around the exemptions.
The Conservative amendments create a mandatory 30-day public consultation prior to making exemptions. They require dual approval from both a cabinet minister and the president of the Treasury Board.
They also apply equal rules to all participants within the sector, not just hand-picked companies, as well as a full report to Parliament within 90 days explaining the rationale for the decision and assessing whether permanent legislation is warranted.
The amendments also add clear limits on what can never be exempted, including the Conflict of Interest Act, Auditor General Act and other core accountability, safety and national interest laws.
Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer told reporters on Parliament Hill that he is "very pleased" the amendments were accepted.
"We are here to scrutinize, dispassionately, every decision this government makes to ensure Canadians' interests are served and their tax dollars are treated with respect," he said.
A spokesperson for the finance minister said the regulatory sandbox provisions proposed by the government in the bill were informed by industry leaders, innovators and international comparators.
"These regulations, as initially drawn up, were not broadly supported by the opposition and were holding up consensus on a very important bill that advances Canadian competitiveness and innovation," said the spokesperson, John Fragos, in a statement.
"That's why, in keeping with the government's commitment to working with the opposition parties to deliver results, earlier today we adopted the proposed amendments in committee."
For weeks, there have been discussions between the Liberals and Conservatives about how to get the key legislation through. The vote on the Budget Implementation Act is expected to be a confidence vote.
Scheer wouldn't say whether these changes would result in Conservative support for the bill, which is set to return to the House on Wednesday.
No amendments on segments impacting veterans
Veterans and their advocates are calling to amend sections of the budget bill to remove language they say covers up a longstanding federal error and prevents them from being reimbursed.
In December, Canada's Veterans Ombud wrote to the minister saying that passing the bill as written would "effectively legitimize its past overcharges to veterans and nullify ongoing litigation aimed at securing reimbursement for affected veterans."
Conservatives have been critical of the move, but didn't seek to remove it from the legislation at committee.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kate McKenna is a senior reporter with CBC’s parliamentary bureau in Ottawa, where she covers federal politics. She previously worked for CBC’s The Fifth Estate and in the Halifax, Montreal and Charlottetown newsrooms. Her investigative and breaking news coverage has won five RTDNA awards. She is the author of No Choice: The 30-Year Fight for Abortion on Prince Edward Island.
Ahead of budget bill vote, veterans plead with Ottawa to change course
Budget bill includes language that could cost veterans millions in compensation for federal error
Retired colonel Michel Drapeau says Canada is breaking its 'sacred oath' to veterans if it passes the Budget Implementation Act unamended. (Patrick Leduc/CBC)
Veterans and their advocates are urging the Carney Liberals to change course and amend a bill before the House of Commons to remove sections that they say unfairly target people who served Canada.
Buried inside the more than 600-page Budget Implementation Act are sections that would, advocates say, retroactively amend a law that governs how veterans' benefits are calculated.
Advocates say if it is passed, the result would be that the federal government would legitimize mistakes it made in overcharging veterans and undervaluing their benefits, and at least three lawsuits, worth an estimated tens of millions of dollars, would be thrown out.
Canada's Veterans Ombud wrote to the veterans affairs minister in December, saying passing the bill as-written would "effectively legitimize its past overcharges to veterans and nullify ongoing litigation aimed at securing reimbursement for affected veterans."
"I believe that using retroactive legislation to correct administrative errors is both inappropriate and unfair and undermines confidence in government decision-making, sets a troubling precedent, and denies justice to those who served our country," wrote retired colonel Nishika Jardine.
Jardine was writing specifically about a proposed class-action lawsuit over an alleged decades-long overcharging for veterans in long-term care since at least 1998.
The charging error was first reported by CBC News, prompting the litigation.
WATCH | Veterans may be overpaying for long-term care due to a federal error:Veterans may be paying too much for long-term care, analysis shows
October 30, 2024|Duration 1:53A CBC News analysis shows that Canadian veterans may be paying more than they should for long-term care because of a federal calculation error. Veterans Affairs Canada has launched an investigation and a class action lawsuit has been filed.The statement of claim argues veterans were "significantly overcharged" because the federal government calculated the benefit based on the cost of the most advantageous province, excluding territories from their calculation.
But the Interpretation Act, which governs the regulations, says territories ought to be included. The long-term care rate in the Northwest Territories has been less expensive for years, meaning veterans in long-term care could be overcharged by more than $3,000 annually.
Lawyers and advocates say Prime Minister Mark Carney's government is trying to paper over its costly mistake by retroactively changing the law.
In a move described as a "thermonuclear weapon," the Carney government's Budget Implementation Act seeks to retroactively define the term "province" as excluding territories.
One of the lawyers representing veterans says the proposed changes to legislation equates to Canada breaking its promise to veterans.
"If there's anything that is sacred, it's the obligation governments of all colours have made since the First World War, that our obligation to veterans is to look after them, certainly not reverse our obligation to them," said retired colonel Michel Drapeau, one of the lawyers representing veterans.
Conservative Veterans Affairs critic Blake Richards said the move is "reprehensible."
"The government made a mistake, and their way of trying to fix it is to retroactively change legislation and try to rob veterans," he said.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Veterans Affairs Minister Jill McKnight said the bill "clarifies" how benefits have always been paid in the past.
"The BIA does not propose any reductions in benefits, nor does it require anyone to repay benefits already received," Adam Rogers-Green said.
WATCH | Veterans and their advocates call for Ottawa to reverse course on budget bill:Veterans urge Ottawa to change course in payment fight
February 19|Duration 2:15Canadian veterans are urging the federal government to change course ahead of a budget bill vote that would retroactively amend the laws governing the value of some veterans’ benefits. If passed as-is, it would likely quash lawsuits seeking payments veterans say they are owed.Coldbrook, N.S., resident James Fera, a retired lieutenant-colonel who volunteers with veterans in long-term care weekly, said he's frustrated with the lack of transparency from the federal government over these proposed changes.
Fera served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 25 years and was deployed to Afghanistan and Haiti.
"The reality is, it's unfair, it's shameful," he said. "If Mr. Carney believes that this is something that is worthwhile to do, then he should come out and say himself, and say why he’s done it."
The bill is still in front of Parliament, although through a programming motion, MPs agreed to submit their amendments before Feb. 19. Clause-by-clause debate is expected to happen on Feb. 23.
Richards wouldn't say if the Conservatives plan to amend the bill to remove the sections affecting veterans.
The Federal Court has already adjourned a class action pending the outcome of the proposed legislation.
An ongoing dispute about alleged errors in pro-rating certain indexation adjustments is adjourned pending the outcome of parliamentary debate. Drapeau said he believes three lawsuits could be thrown out if this law is passed.
In addition to the proposed class action targeting the long-term care dispute, there's a third lawsuit claiming that Veterans Affairs miscalculated annual adjustment rates on disability benefits payable to veterans under the Pensions Act.
The bill could pass through the House of Commons as quickly as Wednesday, Feb. 25.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kate McKenna is a senior reporter with CBC’s parliamentary bureau in Ottawa, where she covers federal politics. She previously worked for CBC’s The Fifth Estate and in the Halifax, Montreal and Charlottetown newsrooms. Her investigative and breaking news coverage has won five RTDNA awards. She is the author of No Choice: The 30-Year Fight for Abortion on Prince Edward Island.
With files from Salma Ibrahim
Feb 25, 2026Prime Minister Mark Carney wants to swell the Liberal Party's ranks with more defectors from the Conservatives, according to political scientist Jim Groom.32 Comments
Surprise Surprise SurpriseFeb 25, 2026Liberal Finance Minister Champagne got scolded in the Public Accounts Committee this afternoon over the 2025 Fall Reports of the Auditor General of Canada.26 Comments
Methinks Mr Outhouse et al know why it makes my day when I watch my mindless MP oversee the crucifixion of a French Lawyer N'esy Pas???Did you deliberately mislead Canadians? | Minister pressed on $78B deficit, $140B in new spending
Canada Info
Feb 25, 2026Can the government stay within its own budget? In this intense committee exchange, Conservative MP Stephanie Kusie challenges the finance minister on a $78 billion deficit and billions in unannounced spending. From the CBC to Canada Post, she breaks down where the money is going and why fiscal anchors are at risk.
128 Comments
Oh My My Out of the gate did I hear Madame Kusie say they vote on the BIA TONIGHT????Methinks my MP John Williamson as he runs tackle for a not so clever weasel must admit that no more Cons have crossed the floor yet and that not all of the opposition agrees with this sneaky Quebec lawyer's evil Budget Implementation Act Not even the Bloc N'esy Pas?Champagne CRUSHED in PACP: Minister Grilled on Exploding Deficit & Broken Fiscal Anchors!
Feb 25, 2026In this heated session of the Public Accounts Committee, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne faces tough grilling from MPs over the federal deficit and government's fiscal management. Opposition members hammer Champagne on ballooning deficits (with recent PBO warnings and projections showing sharp increases), lack of clear fiscal anchors, operational spending cuts (7.5%+ targets for 2026-27 onward), and whether Canada's public finances remain sustainable amid economic pressures and spending priorities. Watch as the minister defends the Liberal plan while critics demand transparency on guardrails, debt-to-GDP trends, and long-term accountability.This meeting is part of PACP's core mandate to examine the Public Accounts of Canada, Auditor General reports, and fiscal oversight—spotlighting debates on deficit control, taxpayer impacts, and economic resilience in 2026. Raw, pointed exchanges make this must-watch for anyone tracking government spending!Full official source: ParlVu – Parliament of CanadaDirect link to the archived webcast (search "PACP Meeting 25" or February 25, 2026): https://parlvu.parl.gc.ca/Harmony/en/... (or browse ourcommons.ca/Committees/en/ PACP/Meetings for on-demand archive). For complete unedited video, evidence, witnesses, and Hansard transcript: ourcommons.ca (Meeting 25 Notice/Evidence forthcoming; also check CPAC.ca for rebroadcasts). Uploaded by @thisguysgarage for educational, commentary, and public accountability purposes. This video uses selected clips from the parliamentary proceedings with added context, highlights, summarization, and focus on key exchanges (e.g., deficit grilling and minister responses) to spotlight fiscal controversies and make committee oversight accessible to Canadians concerned with government spending and deficits.Fair Use / Transformative Statement:This content qualifies as fair dealing under the Canadian Copyright Act (s. 29 – criticism, review, news reporting, education, research) and/or fair use under U.S. doctrine (17 U.S.C. § 107 – criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching). It is transformative: original public proceedings are excerpted selectively, with added framing, commentary, emphasis on contentious points (e.g., deficit defense, fiscal anchors), and analysis to inform viewers and spark discussion—not to substitute the full record or for commercial replacement. No infringement intended. All original material belongs to the Parliament of Canada / House of Commons (public domain parliamentary proceedings). For the complete session, view directly on ParlVu or ourcommons.ca.Is Minister Champagne's deficit defense convincing, or is the fiscal situation out of control?Drop your thoughts below, like if you're worried about the debt, and subscribe for more raw committee hearings, deficit exposes, and government accountability breakdowns!
49 Comments
Welcome to the circus you are paying forFeb 24, 2026As Prime Minister Mark Carney heads on a trade mission to India, Australia and Japan, National Defence Minister David McGuinty tells Power & Politics that Canada is working fast to diversify partnerships and attract investment.Floor-crossing MP Matt Jeneroux joining Carney on trip to India, Australia and Japan
Former Alberta Conservative announced last week he joined the Liberal government
MP Matt Jeneroux, shown in Edmonton after crossing the floor from the Conservatives to the Liberals on Feb. 18, was also named by Prime Minister Mark Carney as special adviser on economic and security partnerships. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)The Liberals' newest MP, Matt Jeneroux, will join Prime Minister Mark Carney on a whirlwind trade trip to India, Australia and Japan later this week.
The longtime Alberta Conservative announced last week he was crossing the floor to join the governing party, just months after he said he planned to leave politics altogether amid a frenzy of rumours that he was joining the Liberals.
The Edmonton Riverbend MP now finds himself joining the prime minister on his latest travels abroad, this time with stops in Mumbai, New Delhi, Sydney, Canberra and Tokyo in his new capacity as "special adviser on economic and security partnerships," according to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
Tuesday also marked Jeneroux's return to the House of Commons. He was spotted sitting in the front row for his first question period as a Liberal.
WATCH | Minister says Jeneroux brings 'value' to delegation:India trip isn't a gift to floor-crosser Jeneroux, trade minister says
February 24|Duration 0:31Liberal MP Matt Jeneroux — the most recent floor-crosser from the Conservatives — is joining the prime minister's delegation to India, Australia and Japan this week. International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu says Jeneroux brings 'value to the team' and that 'we could use the help.'Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, Defence Minister David McGuinty and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu, as well as New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, will be on the India leg of the trip.
A smaller group, including Jeneroux, is staying on for the Australia and Tokyo portions.
Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer questioned Jeneroux's priorities, after he announced he was leaving politics to focus on his family. At the time, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Jeneroux would officially leave in the spring.
"Here's a guy that said that he didn't have time to do the job he was elected to do on behalf of taxpayers. And now he's suddenly got time to travel to India," Scheer said.
Questioned on the timing, Sidhu said the trip is "absolutely not" a present for Jeneroux.
"He brings much value to the team," said the minister following a cabinet meeting. "I'm happy that he's coming along because we can use the help."
Jeneroux is the third Conservative the Liberals have successfully poached in recent months, starting with Nova Scotia MP Chris d'Entremont in November and Toronto-area MP Michael Ma in December.
WATCH | 'He's suddenly got time to travel': Scheer:'He's suddenly got time to travel': Scheer criticizes floor-crosser's trip to India
February 24|Duration 0:22After crossing the floor to the Liberal government from the Conservatives last week, MP Matt Jeneroux will join Prime Minister Mark Carney's trade trips to India, Australia and Japan. 'Here's a guy who said that he didn't have time to do the job he was elected to do on behalf of taxpayers. Now he's suddenly got time to travel to India,' Conservative MP Andrew Scheer said.Ma was included in Carney's trip to Beijing and Qatar earlier this year, not long after he crossed the floor. The PMO said at the time that was because his Markham-Unionville riding is home to one of Canada’s largest Chinese Canadian communities.
Carney to address Australia's Parliament
Jeneroux's floor-crossing brings the Liberal seat count in the House of Commons to 169 MPs, against the 171 opposition MPs. There are three vacancies.
Jeneroux hasn't taken reporters' questions since leaving the Conservative caucus, but in a statement last week, he said he decided to cross the floor after reflecting "on the gravity of the moment that our country is living through."
WATCH | More about the floor-crossing:
MP Matt Jeneroux's floor-crossing, explained February 20|Duration 2:10Months after announcing he was leaving politics, Alberta Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux has crossed the floor to join the Liberal caucus. CBC's Cat Tunney answers some of your questions about the defection.In November, it was widely believed Jeneroux was considering defecting to government benches and had even met with Carney, but he appeared to put that speculation to bed when he abruptly announced his plans to retire from federal politics.
Jeneroux had not been spotted in the House of Commons since and abstained from voting alongside his then Conservative colleagues on a key confidence vote last year.
Carney has made reducing Canada's reliance on the United States a key part of his platform, and is heading to the Indo-Pacific region to discuss trade.
Carney and his delegation leave Thursday.
He will first touch down in Mumbai for talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and business leaders.
During a stop in the Australian capital, Carney will address both houses of that country's Parliament — the first time a Canadian prime minister has done so in nearly 20 years.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Catharine TunneyReporter
Catharine Tunney is a reporter with CBC's Parliament Hill bureau, where she covers national security and the RCMP. She worked previously for CBC in Nova Scotia. You can reach her at catharine.tunney@cbc.ca
With files from The Canadian Press
Ukraine marks four years since the start of the Russian invasion | Power Play for Feb.24, 2026
CTV News
Feb 24, 2026Prime Minister Mark Carney promised another $2 billion in military aid and more sanctions on Moscow Tuesday as Ukraine marked four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.31 Comments
IMHO This is NONE of our business and NEVER wasWhere is Canada's immigration minister? Community groups are asking
MPs question Lena Diab's performance at question period and in committee
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Lena Metlege Diab is pictured in her office in Ottawa last year. Community organizations say she has been less available than her predecessors. Away from the cameras, some fellow Liberal MPs say she's overwhelmed. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press)December 4, 2025|When Lena Diab was appointed head of Canada's Immigration Department, community expectations were high.
The new minister is the daughter of immigrants, is trilingual and spent part of her childhood in Lebanon. Diab had also previously served in cabinet in her home province of Nova Scotia.
"It seemed like the perfect plan," said Stephan Reichhold, executive director of the Quebec-based Table de concertation des organismes au service des personnes réfugiées et immigrantes.
But Reichhold quickly became disillusioned with a minister who, in his opinion, was conspicuous in her absence.
Members of Parliament are also expressing disappointment in Diab's performance — including some of her fellow Liberal caucus members.
'She is completely absent'
Reichhold said he has never managed to speak directly with Diab, despite repeatedly asking to meet following her swearing-in last May.
"I have seen 14 immigration ministers come and go, and it is truly surprising. We are really astonished that she is completely absent," Reichhold said.
Diab was sworn in as immigration minister in May 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)
That's in contrast with her predecessor Marc Miller, who Reichhold said had frequent contact with stakeholders in the field even when his government lowered its immigration targets.
Radio-Canada spoke with five other organizations that criticized Diab's availability. Among them is the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, which spoke with the minister only once, via videoconference, last spring.
The organization is seeking to open a path to permanent residency for Ukrainians who have fled the war, but has still not managed to secure an in-person meeting with Diab. Her predecessors were more readily available, said the CEO of the congress, Ihor Michalchyshyn.
"It's frustrating," he said. "We haven't been able to schedule a meeting despite several attempts."
Asked by CBC News about the issue on Tuesday, Diab said "it is not something that I'm aware of."
Organizations also note that the minister is not very visible in the media, even as the immigration issue was widely covered in Quebec.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress's Ihor Michalchyshyn says he has not been able to meet with Diab in person. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press
When asked to comment, Diab declined Radio-Canada's request for an interview and did not provide a written response.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Mark Carney said that "as minister of immigration, [Diab] plays a key role in the government's mandate to bring immigration back to sustainable levels, while attracting the best talent in the world to help build our economy."
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) did not comment on the criticism from community groups.
Committee presence criticized
On the few occasions when Diab has been visible — in parliamentary committee, for example — her performance has raised eyebrows.
At the end of October, the minister had difficulty answering a question from the Bloc Québécois about processing times for refugee status applications and sought information from the civil servants sitting next to her.
Exasperated, MP Claude DeBellefeuille snapped, "Madam minister, why won't you answer me? It's your power. Why are you delegating it to your civil servant?"
"There are many laws governing these issues," Diab replied, adding that "it depends on the circumstances."
A few weeks later, Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner, known for her sharp tongue in committee, questioned Diab about the possibility of extending the visas of millions of temporary residents and called her a "very bad minister." The exchange was widely shared on social media.
WATCH | Rempel Garner to Diab: 'You are a very bad minister':‘You are a very bad minister,’ Conservative MP says to immigration minister
Duration 0:47Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner and Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab spar during a parliamentary committee hearing, with Rempel Garner calling Diab's answers a 'word salad' and Diab saying she 'prefers fattoush and tabbouleh to your salad.'"I understand as a woman in politics, sometimes you can get framed unfairly," said Rempel Garner in an interview with Radio-Canada. "But she is the minister of immigration. She has to step it up, right? And I just, I haven't seen that.… I feel like I know the file far better than she does."
The minister testified this month before two Senate committees studying the border security legislation Bill C-12. On several occasions, Diab had to give the floor to the officials accompanying her, visibly unable to answer the questions.
"She doesn't have a strong command of her file," said Bloc Québécois MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, who was present during some of these committee exchanges and who, until recently, was the Bloc's immigration critic.
Discouraged Liberals
Criticism is coming not only from opposition parties, but also from Diab's own Liberal colleagues.
Away from the cameras, 10 Liberal MPs spoke to Radio-Canada about her performance. They were granted confidentiality in order to express themselves freely.
Of those, only one defended Diab's job performance. Although several of them emphasized that she is a "good person" in charge of a "difficult" portfolio, nine MPs said they believe that the minister is overwhelmed and are openly questioning her place at the cabinet table.
"It doesn't make sense. In the House of Commons, many MPs hold their breath when she answers questions from the opposition," said one Liberal elected official.
"We're afraid she'll put her foot in her mouth."
Diab declined an interview request with Radio-Canada for this story. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
The nine MPs told Radio-Canada that they, too, had difficulty getting straight answers from the minister. When they ask her a question, they say they often feel that she does not have a firm enough understanding of the issues to provide a clear answer.
"The minister has no idea how to respond," one MP said.
At the end of January, these communication challenges led to tense exchanges during a Liberal Party caucus meeting, where Diab was giving a presentation and dozens of MPs wanted to ask her questions, three Liberal sources told Radio-Canada.
Carney intervened to remind everyone that his government was committed to bringing order to the immigration file, the sources said.
In the last federal budget, the Liberal government reduced its target number of temporary residents to 385,000 in 2026, down from 673,000 in 2025.
"I understand the government's priority and agree with it," said a Liberal MP. "But 95 per cent of the people who come to see us in our constituency office are here to resolve immigration issues. We also need to be able to follow up with the people who contact us. And we're not getting any feedback from the minister."
"When Marc Miller was minister of immigration, he didn't say yes to all our requests. But at least we knew where we stood," the Liberal MP said.
Several elected officials admit to going through other channels to try to resolve urgent immigration cases.
"I go through her parliamentary secretary or her team," said a Liberal MP.
A new direction
When asked to comment on this internal criticism, Carney's office responded in writing that Diab's "work results" are "visible."
"Our government has taken steps to reduce the number of temporary residents arriving by more than half, the number of asylum claims by one-third and the number of foreign students by 60 per cent, while increasing the proportion of economic migrants entering Canada," the PMO said.
One Liberal MP did defend the minister's work.
"She has to make so many cuts to immigration. It goes against everything we've been doing for years. I think MPs are mainly frustrated with the government's leadership and are being unfair to the minister," they said.
"Ultimately, it is the prime minister who chooses his cabinet."
Bloc MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe said it appeared that Diab didn't have a strong grasp of her portfolio during committee appearances. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
Another Liberal MP said Diab's file is particularly complex, demanding and "not a position for someone who is new to cabinet" — even if they have provincial experience.
Brunelle-Duceppe agrees.
"Mr. Carney clearly did not appoint the right person," the Bloc MP said.
New Democrat Jenny Kwan, her party's immigration critic, said that both Carney and Diab are responsible for how the immigration file is handled.
"That responsibility is to be responsive to stakeholders, to take these issues seriously, to examine the policies, to evaluate them, to hear from opposition and the public and look for ways to improve them," she said.
"That is their job."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yasmine MehdiRadio-Canada parliamentary correspondent
Yasmine Mehdi is a parliamentary correspondent with Radio-Canada in Ottawa.
Carney’s immigration minister under fire from community groups, opposition | Power & Politics
CBC News
Feb 25, 2026Conservative MPs are calling for Prime Minister Mark Carney to fire federal Immigration Minister Lena Diab. Part of this push is because of CBC News reporting which found even some of Diab's fellow caucus members share disappointment in her performance. Power & Politics speaks to one of the reporters who broke this story and the Power Panel weighs in.LIVE: Conservatives Square Off Against Carney's Ministers | Question Period | Feb 25
Feb 25, 2026Conservative MPs will square off against Carney's Liberal Cabinet Ministers today during question period in the House of Commons, while Carney is in Ottawa but does not want to come to the House. Tune in at 2pm EST for live coverage of question period!7Comments
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Methinks the circus would miss the lawyer Lena Diab if that clown were be fired N'esy Pas?EnjoyFrom: "Minister / Ministre (IRCC)"
Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2019 15:02:01 +0000
Subject: RE: Yo Mr Saunders I told you before nobody cares for the
very same reasons you ignore me but feel free to use my resources
To: David Amos
La version fran?aise suit
Thank you for your email addressed to the Honourable Ahmed Hussen,
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. Please note that
all comments and questions are taken seriously, and although
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) cannot provide a
personalized response to every message, we will review and consider
all comments received.
Merci encore une fois d'avoir pris le temps d'?crire au ministre.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos
Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2019 12:25:58 -0400
Subject: Fwd: ATTN Ministers Lena Metlege Diab and Ahmed Hussen I just
heard about David and Kathryn Wright of Vogler’s Cove troubles with
Immigaration on CBC
To: Bernadette Jordan
From: Immigration Minister
Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2017 15:42:44 +0000
Subject: RE: ATTN Ministers Lena Metlege Diab and Ahmed Hussen I just
heard about David and Kathryn Wright of Vogler’s Cove troubles with
Immigaration on CBC
To: David Amos
Cc: Immigration Minister
Dear Mr. Amos:
Thank you for your email dated March 18, 2017 to the Honourable Lena
Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration for the Province of Nova Scotia,
regarding David and Kathryn Wright. As I am Director of Programs for
the Office of Immigration, Minister Diab has requested that I respond
to your email.
I have been following this story in the news as well and am sorry to
hear about the difficulties of Mr. & Mrs. Wright in moving to Nova
Scotia.
In Canada, immigration is a shared responsibility between the
provinces and the Canadian government via Immigration, Refugees and
Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Provinces can nominate individuals for
permanent residency through provincial nominee programs; however, IRCC
has the final authority with respect to all admissions to the country.
I note that you have already contacted the federal Minister of
Immigration, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, with your concerns. You may
also wish to contact your Member of Parliament as these decisions are
solely a federal responsibility.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to write to me and for
sharing your views on such an important issue.
Yours truly,
Original signed by
Shelley Bent
Director of Programs
c. Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, ECNS
-----Original Message-----
From: David Amos [mailto:motomaniac333@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2017 8:10 AM
To: Minister@cic.gc.ca; Ahmed.Hussen@parl.gc.ca; Immigration Minister
<ImmigrationMinister@novascotia.ca>; info@lenadiab.ca; Justice
Minister <JUSTMIN@novascotia.ca>; Richard.Woodbury@cbc.ca;
mlcohen@eastlink.ca; patricklove@eastlink.ca; earth5@eastlink.ca;
barb.mckenna@tc.tc; Premier <PREMIER@novascotia.ca>; pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>;
Gerald.Butts <Gerald.Butts@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>; leader
<leader@greenparty.ca>; elizabeth.may <elizabeth.may@parl.gc.ca>;
lisa.raitt <lisa.raitt@parl.gc.ca>; Kellie.Leitch
<Kellie.Leitch@parl.gc.ca>; info@chrisalexander.ca;
info@jasonkenney.com; erin.otoole <erin.otoole@parl.gc.ca>;
maxime.bernier <maxime.bernier@parl.gc.ca>; brad.trost@parl.gc.ca;
andrew.scheer <andrew.scheer@parl.gc.ca>; Kevin
<Kevin@kevinoleary.com>; rona.ambrose <rona.ambrose@parl.gc.ca>;
MulcaT <MulcaT@parl.gc.ca>; Craig Munroe <cmunroe@glgmlaw.com>;
Liberal / Assistance <nbd_cna@liberal.ca>; Bill.Morneau
<Bill.Morneau@canada.ca>; premier <premier@gnb.ca>; postur
<postur@for.is>; mark.eyking@parl.gc.ca; Matt.DeCourcey
<Matt.DeCourcey@parl.gc.ca>; hon.ralph.goodale
<hon.ralph.goodale@canada.ca>; mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>; jan.jensen
<jan.jensen@justice.gc.ca>; oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>; andre
<andre@jafaust.com>; COCMoncton <COCMoncton@gmail.com>
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>; Sabrina.Fabian@cbc.ca;
ht.lacroix <ht.lacroix@cbc.ca>; hon.melanie.joly
<hon.melanie.joly@canada.ca>; Hon.Dominic.LeBlanc
<Hon.Dominic.LeBlanc@canada.ca>; Hal.Higgins@cbc.ca; president
<president@whitehouse.gov>
Subject: ATTN Ministers Lena Metlege Diab and Ahmed Hussen I just
heard about David and Kathryn Wright of Vogler’s Cove troubles with
Immigaration on CBC
http://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.ca/2017/03/attn- ministers-lena-metlege-diab- and.html
Saturday, 18 March 2017
ATTN Ministers Lena Metlege Diab and Ahmed Hussen I just heard about
David and Kathryn Wright of Vogler’s Cove troubles with Immigaration
on CBC
Lawyers such as you should know for fact that if I can help Randy
Quaid and several others remain in Canada over the years when Monte
Soleberg, Jason Kenney and Chris Alexander did the dirty work
torturing immigrants for the Harper Government then I can help the
Wrights as well particularly now that the LIEbranos have the mandate
again N'esy Pas President Trump, Mr Prime Minister Trudeau "The
Younger" and Dizzy Lizzy May???
https://www.cp24.com/news/catalan-leader-goes-to-court- after-canada-refuses-him- entry-for-speaking-visit-1. 4400340
Catalan leader goes to court after Canada refuses him entry for speaking visit
FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2019 file photo, Catalonia's former regional
president. Carles Puigdemont, addresses a conference in Brussels.
Spanish political party officials said on Monday, April 29, 2019, that
Spain's Electoral Board has ruled that Puigdemont and two other
Catalan separatists who fled abroad to escape arrest can’t stand as
candidates in next month's European Parliament elections. (AP
Photo/Francisco Seco, File)
The Canadian Press
Published Monday, April 29, 2019 4:39PM EDT
MONTREAL -- The exiled former president of Spain's Catalonia region is
fighting a Canadian government decision to refuse him entry into the
country to attend an event hosted by a Quebec nationalist group.
Carles Puigdemont, who fled Spain in 2017 to avoid prosecution after
his regional government held an unauthorized referendum on
independence, has hired Montreal immigration lawyer Stephane Handfield
to plead his case.
Handfield filed a motion Monday in Federal Court seeking judicial
review of the Immigration Department decision.Top chat
HMMM
Should the immigration minister be fired, or does she just have a communication problem?
Feb 25, 2026The Front Bench panel talks about why few Liberal MPs are defending Immigration Minister Lena Diab amid calls from the Conservatives for her to be fired.106 Comments
Methinks the circus would miss the lawyer Lena Diab if that clown were be fired N'esy Pas?
From: "Minister / Ministre (IRCC)" <IRCC.Minister-Ministre.IRCC@cic.gc.ca>
Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2019 15:02:01 +0000
Subject: RE: Yo Mr Saunders I told you before nobody cares for the
very same reasons you ignore me but feel free to use my resources
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
La version fran?aise suit
Thank you for your email addressed to the Honourable Ahmed Hussen,
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. Please note that
all comments and questions are taken seriously, and although
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) cannot provide a
personalized response to every message, we will review and consider
all comments received.
Merci encore une fois d'avoir pris le temps d'?crire au ministre.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos
Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2019 12:25:58 -0400
Subject: Fwd: ATTN Ministers Lena Metlege Diab and Ahmed Hussen I just
heard about David and Kathryn Wright of Vogler’s Cove troubles with
Immigaration on CBC
To: Bernadette Jordan
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Immigration Minister
Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2017 15:42:44 +0000
Subject: RE: ATTN Ministers Lena Metlege Diab and Ahmed Hussen I just
heard about David and Kathryn Wright of Vogler’s Cove troubles with
Immigaration on CBC
To: David Amos
Cc: Immigration Minister
Dear Mr. Amos:
Thank you for your email dated March 18, 2017 to the Honourable Lena
Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration for the Province of Nova Scotia,
regarding David and Kathryn Wright. As I am Director of Programs for
the Office of Immigration, Minister Diab has requested that I respond
to your email.
I have been following this story in the news as well and am sorry to
hear about the difficulties of Mr. & Mrs. Wright in moving to Nova
Scotia.
In Canada, immigration is a shared responsibility between the
provinces and the Canadian government via Immigration, Refugees and
Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Provinces can nominate individuals for
permanent residency through provincial nominee programs; however, IRCC
has the final authority with respect to all admissions to the country.
I note that you have already contacted the federal Minister of
Immigration, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, with your concerns. You may
also wish to contact your Member of Parliament as these decisions are
solely a federal responsibility.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to write to me and for
sharing your views on such an important issue.
Yours truly,
Original signed by
Shelley Bent
Director of Programs
c. Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, ECNS
-----Original Message-----
From: David Amos [mailto:motomaniac333@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2017 8:10 AM
To: Minister@cic.gc.ca; Ahmed.Hussen@parl.gc.ca; Immigration Minister
<ImmigrationMinister@novascotia.ca>; info@lenadiab.ca; Justice
Minister <JUSTMIN@novascotia.ca>; Richard.Woodbury@cbc.ca;
mlcohen@eastlink.ca; patricklove@eastlink.ca; earth5@eastlink.ca;
barb.mckenna@tc.tc; Premier <PREMIER@novascotia.ca>; pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>;
Gerald.Butts <Gerald.Butts@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>; leader
<leader@greenparty.ca>; elizabeth.may <elizabeth.may@parl.gc.ca>;
lisa.raitt <lisa.raitt@parl.gc.ca>; Kellie.Leitch
<Kellie.Leitch@parl.gc.ca>; info@chrisalexander.ca;
info@jasonkenney.com; erin.otoole <erin.otoole@parl.gc.ca>;
maxime.bernier <maxime.bernier@parl.gc.ca>; brad.trost@parl.gc.ca;
andrew.scheer <andrew.scheer@parl.gc.ca>; Kevin
<Kevin@kevinoleary.com>; rona.ambrose <rona.ambrose@parl.gc.ca>;
MulcaT <MulcaT@parl.gc.ca>; Craig Munroe <cmunroe@glgmlaw.com>;
Liberal / Assistance <nbd_cna@liberal.ca>; Bill.Morneau
<Bill.Morneau@canada.ca>; premier <premier@gnb.ca>; postur
<postur@for.is>; mark.eyking@parl.gc.ca; Matt.DeCourcey
<Matt.DeCourcey@parl.gc.ca>; hon.ralph.goodale
<hon.ralph.goodale@canada.ca>; mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>; jan.jensen
<jan.jensen@justice.gc.ca>; oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>; andre
<andre@jafaust.com>; COCMoncton <COCMoncton@gmail.com>
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>; Sabrina.Fabian@cbc.ca; ht.lacroix <ht.lacroix@cbc.ca>; hon.melanie.joly
<hon.melanie.joly@canada.ca>; Hon.Dominic.LeBlanc
<Hon.Dominic.LeBlanc@canada.ca>; Hal.Higgins@cbc.ca; president
<president@whitehouse.gov>
Subject: ATTN Ministers Lena Metlege Diab and Ahmed Hussen I just
heard about David and Kathryn Wright of Vogler’s Cove troubles with
Immigaration on CBC
http://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.ca/2017/03/attn- ministers-lena-metlege-diab- and.html
Saturday, 18 March 2017
ATTN Ministers Lena Metlege Diab and Ahmed Hussen I just heard about
David and Kathryn Wright of Vogler’s Cove troubles with Immigaration
on CBC
Lawyers such as you should know for fact that if I can help Randy
Quaid and several others remain in Canada over the years when Monte
Soleberg, Jason Kenney and Chris Alexander did the dirty work
torturing immigrants for the Harper Government then I can help the
Wrights as well particularly now that the LIEbranos have the mandate
again N'esy Pas President Trump, Mr Prime Minister Trudeau "The
Younger" and Dizzy Lizzy May???
https://www.cp24.com/news/catalan-leader-goes-to-court- after-canada-refuses-him- entry-for-speaking-visit-1. 4400340
Catalan leader goes to court after Canada refuses him entry for speaking visit
FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2019 file photo, Catalonia's former regional
president. Carles Puigdemont, addresses a conference in Brussels.
Spanish political party officials said on Monday, April 29, 2019, that
Spain's Electoral Board has ruled that Puigdemont and two other
Catalan separatists who fled abroad to escape arrest can’t stand as
candidates in next month's European Parliament elections. (AP
Photo/Francisco Seco, File)
The Canadian Press
Published Monday, April 29, 2019 4:39PM EDT
MONTREAL -- The exiled former president of Spain's Catalonia region is
fighting a Canadian government decision to refuse him entry into the
country to attend an event hosted by a Quebec nationalist group.
Carles Puigdemont, who fled Spain in 2017 to avoid prosecution after
his regional government held an unauthorized referendum on
independence, has hired Montreal immigration lawyer Stephane Handfield
to plead his case.
Handfield filed a motion Monday in Federal Court seeking judicial
review of the Immigration Department decision.
Feb 25, 2026How many failed Immigration Ministers does it take to answer a question? At what point will the Prime Minister acknowledge that this file requires actual leadership and a serious course correction?109 Comments
Methinks the circus would miss the lawyer Lena Diab if that clown were be fired N'esy Pas???---------- Forwarded message ----------
EnjoyFrom: "Minister / Ministre (IRCC)" <IRCC.Minister-Ministre.IRCC@cic.gc.ca>
Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2019 15:02:01 +0000
Subject: RE: Yo Mr Saunders I told you before nobody cares for the
very same reasons you ignore me but feel free to use my resources
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
La version fran?aise suit
Thank you for your email addressed to the Honourable Ahmed Hussen,
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. Please note that
all comments and questions are taken seriously, and although
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) cannot provide a
personalized response to every message, we will review and consider
all comments received.
Merci encore une fois d'avoir pris le temps d'?crire au ministre.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos
Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2019 12:25:58 -0400
Subject: Fwd: ATTN Ministers Lena Metlege Diab and Ahmed Hussen I just
heard about David and Kathryn Wright of Vogler’s Cove troubles with
Immigaration on CBC
To: Bernadette Jordan
From: Immigration Minister
Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2017 15:42:44 +0000
Subject: RE: ATTN Ministers Lena Metlege Diab and Ahmed Hussen I just
heard about David and Kathryn Wright of Vogler’s Cove troubles with
Immigaration on CBC
To: David Amos
Cc: Immigration Minister
Dear Mr. Amos:
Thank you for your email dated March 18, 2017 to the Honourable Lena
Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration for the Province of Nova Scotia,
regarding David and Kathryn Wright. As I am Director of Programs for
the Office of Immigration, Minister Diab has requested that I respond
to your email.
I have been following this story in the news as well and am sorry to
hear about the difficulties of Mr. & Mrs. Wright in moving to Nova
Scotia.
In Canada, immigration is a shared responsibility between the
provinces and the Canadian government via Immigration, Refugees and
Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Provinces can nominate individuals for
permanent residency through provincial nominee programs; however, IRCC
has the final authority with respect to all admissions to the country.
I note that you have already contacted the federal Minister of
Immigration, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, with your concerns. You may
also wish to contact your Member of Parliament as these decisions are
solely a federal responsibility.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to write to me and for
sharing your views on such an important issue.
Yours truly,
Original signed by
Shelley Bent
Director of Programs
c. Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, ECNS
-----Original Message-----
From: David Amos [mailto:motomaniac333@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2017 8:10 AM
To: Minister@cic.gc.ca; Ahmed.Hussen@parl.gc.ca; Immigration Minister
<ImmigrationMinister@novascotia.ca>; info@lenadiab.ca; Justice
Minister <JUSTMIN@novascotia.ca>; Richard.Woodbury@cbc.ca;
mlcohen@eastlink.ca; patricklove@eastlink.ca; earth5@eastlink.ca;
barb.mckenna@tc.tc; Premier <PREMIER@novascotia.ca>; pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>;
Gerald.Butts <Gerald.Butts@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>; leader
<leader@greenparty.ca>; elizabeth.may <elizabeth.may@parl.gc.ca>;
lisa.raitt <lisa.raitt@parl.gc.ca>; Kellie.Leitch
<Kellie.Leitch@parl.gc.ca>; info@chrisalexander.ca;
info@jasonkenney.com; erin.otoole <erin.otoole@parl.gc.ca>;
maxime.bernier <maxime.bernier@parl.gc.ca>; brad.trost@parl.gc.ca;
andrew.scheer <andrew.scheer@parl.gc.ca>; Kevin
<Kevin@kevinoleary.com>; rona.ambrose <rona.ambrose@parl.gc.ca>;
MulcaT <MulcaT@parl.gc.ca>; Craig Munroe <cmunroe@glgmlaw.com>;
Liberal / Assistance <nbd_cna@liberal.ca>; Bill.Morneau
<Bill.Morneau@canada.ca>; premier <premier@gnb.ca>; postur
<postur@for.is>; mark.eyking@parl.gc.ca; Matt.DeCourcey
<Matt.DeCourcey@parl.gc.ca>; hon.ralph.goodale
<hon.ralph.goodale@canada.ca>; mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>; jan.jensen
<jan.jensen@justice.gc.ca>; oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>; andre
<andre@jafaust.com>; COCMoncton <COCMoncton@gmail.com>
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>; Sabrina.Fabian@cbc.ca;
ht.lacroix <ht.lacroix@cbc.ca>; hon.melanie.joly
<hon.melanie.joly@canada.ca>; Hon.Dominic.LeBlanc
<Hon.Dominic.LeBlanc@canada.ca>; Hal.Higgins@cbc.ca; president
<president@whitehouse.gov>
Subject: ATTN Ministers Lena Metlege Diab and Ahmed Hussen I just
heard about David and Kathryn Wright of Vogler’s Cove troubles with
Immigaration on CBC
http://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.ca/2017/03/attn- ministers-lena-metlege-diab- and.html
Saturday, 18 March 2017
ATTN Ministers Lena Metlege Diab and Ahmed Hussen I just heard about
David and Kathryn Wright of Vogler’s Cove troubles with Immigaration
on CBC
Lawyers such as you should know for fact that if I can help Randy
Quaid and several others remain in Canada over the years when Monte
Soleberg, Jason Kenney and Chris Alexander did the dirty work
torturing immigrants for the Harper Government then I can help the
Wrights as well particularly now that the LIEbranos have the mandate
again N'esy Pas President Trump, Mr Prime Minister Trudeau "The
Younger" and Dizzy Lizzy May???
https://www.cp24.com/news/catalan-leader-goes-to-court- after-canada-refuses-him- entry-for-speaking-visit-1. 4400340
Catalan leader goes to court after Canada refuses him entry for speaking visit
FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2019 file photo, Catalonia's former regional
president. Carles Puigdemont, addresses a conference in Brussels.
Spanish political party officials said on Monday, April 29, 2019, that
Spain's Electoral Board has ruled that Puigdemont and two other
Catalan separatists who fled abroad to escape arrest can’t stand as
candidates in next month's European Parliament elections. (AP
Photo/Francisco Seco, File)
The Canadian Press
Published Monday, April 29, 2019 4:39PM EDT
MONTREAL -- The exiled former president of Spain's Catalonia region is
fighting a Canadian government decision to refuse him entry into the
country to attend an event hosted by a Quebec nationalist group.
Carles Puigdemont, who fled Spain in 2017 to avoid prosecution after
his regional government held an unauthorized referendum on
independence, has hired Montreal immigration lawyer Stephane Handfield
to plead his case.
Handfield filed a motion Monday in Federal Court seeking judicial
review of the Immigration Department decision.
MPs debate Conservative motion to restrict health-care benefits to failed asylum claimants
National Post
Feb 24, 2026A Conservative motion to restrict health-care benefits to failed asylum claimants was tabled in Parliament on Feb. 24, with the projected cost of a federal health program for refugees expected to increase to $1.5 billion by 2030323 Comments
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Methinks the circus would miss the lawyer Lena Diab N'esy Pas?EnjoyFrom: "Minister / Ministre (IRCC)" <IRCC.Minister-Ministre.IRCC@cic.gc.ca>
Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2019 15:02:01 +0000
Subject: RE: Yo Mr Saunders I told you before nobody cares for the
very same reasons you ignore me but feel free to use my resources
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
La version fran?aise suit
Thank you for your email addressed to the Honourable Ahmed Hussen,
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. Please note that
all comments and questions are taken seriously, and although
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) cannot provide a
personalized response to every message, we will review and consider
all comments received.
Merci encore une fois d'avoir pris le temps d'?crire au ministre.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos
Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2019 12:25:58 -0400
Subject: Fwd: ATTN Ministers Lena Metlege Diab and Ahmed Hussen I just
heard about David and Kathryn Wright of Vogler’s Cove troubles with
Immigaration on CBC
To: Bernadette Jordan
From: Immigration Minister
Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2017 15:42:44 +0000
Subject: RE: ATTN Ministers Lena Metlege Diab and Ahmed Hussen I just
heard about David and Kathryn Wright of Vogler’s Cove troubles with
Immigaration on CBC
To: David Amos
Cc: Immigration Minister
Dear Mr. Amos:
Thank you for your email dated March 18, 2017 to the Honourable Lena
Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration for the Province of Nova Scotia,
regarding David and Kathryn Wright. As I am Director of Programs for
the Office of Immigration, Minister Diab has requested that I respond
to your email.
I have been following this story in the news as well and am sorry to
hear about the difficulties of Mr. & Mrs. Wright in moving to Nova
Scotia.
In Canada, immigration is a shared responsibility between the
provinces and the Canadian government via Immigration, Refugees and
Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Provinces can nominate individuals for
permanent residency through provincial nominee programs; however, IRCC
has the final authority with respect to all admissions to the country.
I note that you have already contacted the federal Minister of
Immigration, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, with your concerns. You may
also wish to contact your Member of Parliament as these decisions are
solely a federal responsibility.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to write to me and for
sharing your views on such an important issue.
Yours truly,
Original signed by
Shelley Bent
Director of Programs
c. Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, ECNS
-----Original Message-----
From: David Amos [mailto:motomaniac333@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2017 8:10 AM
To: Minister@cic.gc.ca; Ahmed.Hussen@parl.gc.ca; Immigration Minister
<ImmigrationMinister@novascotia.ca>; info@lenadiab.ca; Justice
Minister <JUSTMIN@novascotia.ca>; Richard.Woodbury@cbc.ca;
mlcohen@eastlink.ca; patricklove@eastlink.ca; earth5@eastlink.ca;
barb.mckenna@tc.tc; Premier <PREMIER@novascotia.ca>; pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>;
Gerald.Butts <Gerald.Butts@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>; leader
<leader@greenparty.ca>; elizabeth.may <elizabeth.may@parl.gc.ca>;
lisa.raitt <lisa.raitt@parl.gc.ca>; Kellie.Leitch
<Kellie.Leitch@parl.gc.ca>; info@chrisalexander.ca;
info@jasonkenney.com; erin.otoole <erin.otoole@parl.gc.ca>;
maxime.bernier <maxime.bernier@parl.gc.ca>; brad.trost@parl.gc.ca;
andrew.scheer <andrew.scheer@parl.gc.ca>; Kevin
<Kevin@kevinoleary.com>; rona.ambrose <rona.ambrose@parl.gc.ca>;
MulcaT <MulcaT@parl.gc.ca>; Craig Munroe <cmunroe@glgmlaw.com>;
Liberal / Assistance <nbd_cna@liberal.ca>; Bill.Morneau
<Bill.Morneau@canada.ca>; premier <premier@gnb.ca>; postur
<postur@for.is>; mark.eyking@parl.gc.ca; Matt.DeCourcey
<Matt.DeCourcey@parl.gc.ca>; hon.ralph.goodale
<hon.ralph.goodale@canada.ca>; mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>; jan.jensen
<jan.jensen@justice.gc.ca>; oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>; andre
<andre@jafaust.com>; COCMoncton <COCMoncton@gmail.com>
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>; Sabrina.Fabian@cbc.ca;
ht.lacroix <ht.lacroix@cbc.ca>; hon.melanie.joly
<hon.melanie.joly@canada.ca>; Hon.Dominic.LeBlanc
<Hon.Dominic.LeBlanc@canada.ca>; Hal.Higgins@cbc.ca; president
<president@whitehouse.gov>
Subject: ATTN Ministers Lena Metlege Diab and Ahmed Hussen I just
heard about David and Kathryn Wright of Vogler’s Cove troubles with
Immigaration on CBC
http://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.ca/2017/03/attn- ministers-lena-metlege-diab- and.html
Saturday, 18 March 2017
ATTN Ministers Lena Metlege Diab and Ahmed Hussen I just heard about
David and Kathryn Wright of Vogler’s Cove troubles with Immigaration
on CBC
Lawyers such as you should know for fact that if I can help Randy
Quaid and several others remain in Canada over the years when Monte
Soleberg, Jason Kenney and Chris Alexander did the dirty work
torturing immigrants for the Harper Government then I can help the
Wrights as well particularly now that the LIEbranos have the mandate
again N'esy Pas President Trump, Mr Prime Minister Trudeau "The
Younger" and Dizzy Lizzy May???
https://www.cp24.com/news/catalan-leader-goes-to-court- after-canada-refuses-him- entry-for-speaking-visit-1. 4400340
Catalan leader goes to court after Canada refuses him entry for speaking visit
FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2019 file photo, Catalonia's former regional
president. Carles Puigdemont, addresses a conference in Brussels.
Spanish political party officials said on Monday, April 29, 2019, that
Spain's Electoral Board has ruled that Puigdemont and two other
Catalan separatists who fled abroad to escape arrest can’t stand as
candidates in next month's European Parliament elections. (AP
Photo/Francisco Seco, File)
The Canadian Press
Published Monday, April 29, 2019 4:39PM EDT
MONTREAL -- The exiled former president of Spain's Catalonia region is
fighting a Canadian government decision to refuse him entry into the
country to attend an event hosted by a Quebec nationalist group.
Carles Puigdemont, who fled Spain in 2017 to avoid prosecution after
his regional government held an unauthorized referendum on
independence, has hired Montreal immigration lawyer Stephane Handfield
to plead his case.
Handfield filed a motion Monday in Federal Court seeking judicial
review of the Immigration Department decision.Feb 24, 2026Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre squared off during question period in the House of Commons today, right before the PM makes a nearly two week trip to Australia and Asia.51 Comments
Methinks I should have called it bovine excrement N'esy Pas?---------- Original message ---------
From: Blanchet, Yves-François - Député
Date: Tue, Feb 24, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Subject: Réponse automatique : Does anyone understand why I laugh at all the bullshit?
To: David Raymond Amos(Ceci est une réponse automatique)
(English follows)
Bonjour,
Nous avons bien reçu votre courriel et nous vous remercions d'avoir écrit à M. Yves-François Blanchet, député de Beloeil-Chambly et chef du Bloc Québécois.
Comme nous avons un volume important de courriels, il nous est impossible de répondre à tous individuellement. Soyez assuré(e) que votre courriel recevra toute l'attention nécessaire.
Nous ne répondons pas à la correspondance contenant un langage offensant.
L'équipe du député Yves-François Blanchet
Chef du Bloc Québécois
Thank you for your email. We will read it as soon as we can.
We do not respond to correspondence that contains offensive language.
Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux joins Liberal caucus
Edmonton MP had earlier said he was resigning from the House of Commons
Matt Jeneroux rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in this file photo from May 31, 2022. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)Another Conservative MP has crossed the floor to join the Liberal Party, nudging Prime Minister Mark Carney closer to the line of a coveted majority.
Alberta MP Matt Jeneroux, who said last year that he planned to leave politics altogether after his name circulated as a potential defector, announced Wednesday he is joining the government after all.
He is the third Conservative the Liberals have picked up, starting with Nova Scotia MP Chris d'Entremont in November and Toronto-area MP Michael Ma in December.
According to Carney's itinerary, he and Jeneroux will meet in Edmonton this morning.
In a statement, the Edmonton Riverbend MP said he had conversations with his family over the holidays and reflected "on the gravity of the moment that our country is living through — which our prime minister addressed head on in his speech at Davos."
"For Canada, this is a moment that demands steady leadership, constructive collaboration between all parliamentarians, and a willingness to stand up and serve even when the path is not easy," he wrote.
In his own statement announcing the move, Carney said Jeneroux said will take on a role as a special adviser on economic and security partnerships.
"Building a stronger, more resilient and more independent country will require ambition, collaboration, and occasionally, sacrifice," Carney wrote.
"This is a time to come together — and together, we will build a stronger future for Edmonton, Alberta, and all Canadians.
WATCH | About That breaks down floor-crossings:Are floor-crossers traitors? | About That
December 17, 2025|Duration 9:58Conservative Ontario MP Michael Ma crossed the floor to join the Liberals just weeks after another Conservative MP made the same move, leaving Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal government one seat shy of a majority. Andrew Chang breaks down how floor-crossing works and why, although it may appear to contradict democracy — it's not breaking any rules. Images provided by The Canadian Press, Reuters and Getty ImagesConservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Jeneroux has "betrayed the people of Edmonton Riverbend who voted for affordable food and homes, safe streets, and a strong resource sector."
"Mark Carney is trying to seize a costly Liberal majority government that Canadians voted against in the last election through dirty backroom deals," he wrote on social media.
Jeneroux had suggested he would step aside
It was rumoured last fall that Jeneroux would defect to the government benches. Instead, he said he would resign as a member of Parliament.
"For now, my focus must turn entirely to my family and to the responsibilities that come with that," Jeneroux said at the time.
While he had not officially stepped aside, Jeneroux has not been spotted in the House of Commons since and has not voted with the Conservatives.
Jeneroux's floor-crossing brings the Liberals seat count in the House of Commons to 169 Liberal MPs, against the 171 opposition MPs.
There are three vacancies awaiting byelection calls.
The Toronto ridings previously held by former Liberals Chrystia Freeland and Bill Blair are largely considered safe Liberal seats.
And on Friday, the Supreme Court of Canada annulled the results of the Montreal-area riding of Terrebonne, which the Liberals won by a single vote in last spring's election.
Feb 17, 2026How do you handle an MP who goes rogue from his own party? That's a question for this week's Moore Butts conversation. But first, Gerry Butts on the world's new security order. Gerry has just returned from the Munich Security Conference and the former principal secretary to Justin Trudeau, and former Stephen Harper cabinet minister James Moore discuss how Canada can fit into the new Europe versus the US picture.Feb 23, 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney pulled in a third Conservative MP to his government in just three months — raising questions about Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's grip on his caucus and whether the Liberals are inching toward majority territory. Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled President Donald Trump overstepped on emergency tariffs, but Trump says he won’t back down. What does that mean for Canada? Also on the show, the government announced its long-awaited defence industrial strategy, with ambitious goals to boost exports, create jobs and award 70 per cent of defence contracts to Canadian companies. And, as the NDP leadership race enters its final stretch, what direction will the party choose next?00:00 - Intro01:20 - Trump's emergency tariffs have been struck down — so what's next?06:11 - Conservatives lose another MP to the Liberals17:38 - Are the Liberals' goals for Canada's defence industry realistic?37:12 - The NDP picks a new leader next monthFeb 22, 2026
Former Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux's defection to the Liberal Party has raised a significant question for Canadian politics: could Prime Minister Mark Carney's government reach a majority without calling an election?Chief Political Correspondent David Akin joined host Ben Mulroney to walk through that possibility. Speaking with Mulroney, Akin noted that some Conservatives believe there is at least one more "floor-crosser" still in their midst.Currently, the Liberals need one more person to reach 173 seats to secure a working majority."But they are right there," Akin says.414 Comments
Methinks David Akin must admit that no more Cons have crossed the floor yet and not all of the opposition has gone along with evil Budget Implementation Act N'esy Pas?Liberals accept Conservative proposals to limit 'immense' cabinet powers in budget bill
Vote on Budget Implementation Act could come this week
Conservative MP Andrew Scheer said Monday he was pleased the government has accepted his party's amendments. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)The federal Liberals have accepted amendments to the most controversial section of the Carney government's omnibus budget bill, effectively putting guardrails on new proposed powers that would allow the government to grant corporations the ability to bypass existing laws and regulations.
The House of Commons finance committee voted in favour of four Conservative amendments on Monday during a clause-by-clause review of C-15, the Budget Implementation Act.
The bill as tabled granted any cabinet minister the ability create "regulatory sandboxes," temporarily exempting individuals or businesses from any federal law with the exception of the Criminal Code.
"This is an immense concentration of power and what is clear is that this concern has been widespread and consistent," said Ontario Conservative MP Sandra Cobena.
WATCH | Liberals, Conservatives negotiating path forward for bills:February 10|Duration 1:56Liberals and Conservatives are working out a path that could keep the government in power, sources tell CBC News, while Prime Minister Mark Carney continues to downplay the likelihood of a spring election.Canada is not the only country to propose this type of power — an OECD report shows that sandboxes are increasingly being deployed as a limited form of regulatory waiver or flexibility in order to spur competitive innovation in a digital age, where business models are shifting rapidly.
The report notes that sandboxes exist in countries including the United States, France, Germany and the U.K.
However, different countries employ different levels of safeguards around the exemptions.
The Conservative amendments create a mandatory 30-day public consultation prior to making exemptions. They require dual approval from both a cabinet minister and the president of the Treasury Board.
They also apply equal rules to all participants within the sector, not just hand-picked companies, as well as a full report to Parliament within 90 days explaining the rationale for the decision and assessing whether permanent legislation is warranted.
The amendments also add clear limits on what can never be exempted, including the Conflict of Interest Act, Auditor General Act and other core accountability, safety and national interest laws.
Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer told reporters on Parliament Hill that he is "very pleased" the amendments were accepted.
"We are here to scrutinize, dispassionately, every decision this government makes to ensure Canadians' interests are served and their tax dollars are treated with respect," he said.
A spokesperson for the finance minister said the regulatory sandbox provisions proposed by the government in the bill were informed by industry leaders, innovators and international comparators.
"These regulations, as initially drawn up, were not broadly supported by the opposition and were holding up consensus on a very important bill that advances Canadian competitiveness and innovation," said the spokesperson, John Fragos, in a statement.
"That's why, in keeping with the government's commitment to working with the opposition parties to deliver results, earlier today we adopted the proposed amendments in committee."
For weeks, there have been discussions between the Liberals and Conservatives about how to get the key legislation through. The vote on the Budget Implementation Act is expected to be a confidence vote.
Scheer wouldn't say whether these changes would result in Conservative support for the bill, which is set to return to the House on Wednesday.
No amendments on segments impacting veterans
Veterans and their advocates are calling to amend sections of the budget bill to remove language they say covers up a longstanding federal error and prevents them from being reimbursed.
In December, Canada's Veterans Ombud wrote to the minister saying that passing the bill as written would "effectively legitimize its past overcharges to veterans and nullify ongoing litigation aimed at securing reimbursement for affected veterans."
Conservatives have been critical of the move, but didn't seek to remove it from the legislation at committee.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kate McKenna is a senior reporter with CBC’s parliamentary bureau in Ottawa, where she covers federal politics. She previously worked for CBC’s The Fifth Estate and in the Halifax, Montreal and Charlottetown newsrooms. Her investigative and breaking news coverage has won five RTDNA awards. She is the author of No Choice: The 30-Year Fight for Abortion on Prince Edward Island.
---------- Original message ---------
From: Blanchet, Yves-François - Député <Yves-Francois.Blanchet@parl.gc.ca>
Date: Tue, Feb 24, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Subject: Réponse automatique : Does anyone understand why I laugh at all the bullshit?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> (Ceci est une réponse automatique)
(English follows)
Bonjour,
Nous avons bien reçu votre courriel et nous vous remercions d'avoir écrit à M. Yves-François Blanchet, député de Beloeil-Chambly et chef du Bloc Québécois.
Comme nous avons un volume important de courriels, il nous est impossible de répondre à tous individuellement. Soyez assuré(e) que votre courriel recevra toute l'attention nécessaire.
Nous ne répondons pas à la correspondance contenant un langage offensant.
L'équipe du député Yves-François Blanchet
Chef du Bloc Québécois
Thank you for your email. We will read it as soon as we can.
We do not respond to correspondence that contains offensive language.
---------- Original message ---------
From: Poilievre, Pierre - M.P. <pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca>
Date: Tue, Feb 24, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Subject: Acknowledgement – Email Received / Accusé de réception – Courriel reçu
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> On behalf of the Hon. Pierre Poilievre, we would like to thank you for contacting the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition.
Mr. Poilievre greatly values feedback and input from Canadians. We wish to inform you that the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition reads and reviews every e-mail we receive. Please note that this account receives a high volume of e-mails, and we endeavour to reply as quickly as possible.
If you are a constituent of Mr. Poilievre in the riding of Battle River - Crowfoot and you have an urgent matter to discuss, please contact his constituency office at:
Phone: 1-780-608-4600
Fax: 1-780-608-4603
Hon. Pierre Poilievre, M.P.
Battle River – Crowfoot4945 50 Street
Camrose, Alberta T4V 1P9
Once again, thank you for writing.
Sincerely,
Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition______________________________
______________________________ __________________________ Au nom de l’honorable Pierre Poilievre, nous tenons à vous remercier d’avoir communiqué avec le Bureau du chef de l’Opposition officielle.
M. Poilievre accorde une grande importance aux commentaires et aux suggestions des Canadiens. Nous tenons à vous informer que le Bureau du chef de l’Opposition officielle lit et examine tous les courriels qu’il reçoit. Veuillez noter que ce compte reçoit un volume important de courriels et que nous nous efforçons d’y répondre le plus rapidement possible.
Si vous êtes un électeur de M. Poilievre dans la circonscription de Battle River - Crowfoot et que vous avez une question urgente à discuter, veuillez contacter son bureau de circonscription :
Téléphone :
1-780-608-4600 Télécopieur :
1-780-608-4603 L’honorable Pierre Poilievre, député
Battle River – Crowfoot4945, 50 Street
Camrose (Alberta) T4V 1P9
Encore une fois, merci de votre message.
Veuillez agréer nos salutations distinguées,
Bureau du chef de l’Opposition officielle
---------- Original message ---------
From: Ministerial Correspondence Unit - Justice Canada <mcu@justice.gc.ca>
Date: Tue, Feb 24, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Subject: Automatic Reply
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> Thank you for writing to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
Due to the volume of correspondence addressed to the Minister, please note that there may be a delay in processing your email. Rest assured that your message will be carefully reviewed.
We do not respond to correspondence that contains offensive language.
-------------------
Merci d'avoir écrit au ministre de la Justice et procureur général du Canada.
En raison du volume de correspondance adressée au ministre, veuillez prendre note qu'il pourrait y avoir un retard dans le traitement de votre courriel. Nous tenons à vous assurer que votre message sera lu avec soin.Nous ne répondons pas à la correspondance contenant un langage offensant.
---------- Original message ---------
From: Premier <PREMIER@novascotia.ca>
Date: Tue, Feb 24, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Subject: Thank you for your email
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> Thank you for contacting the Office of the Premier. This is an automatic confirmation that your message has been received.
Please note that the Premier receives a tremendous volume of e-mails and letters every week. If your message requires an answer, we will get back to you as soon as possible.
To get you the best answer possible and ensure accurate information, your message may be shared with other Ministers or appropriate government officials to respond on the Premier’s behalf. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Here are some helpful resources:
- To learn more about Wind West, Canada's first offshore wind development, please visit: https://novascotia.ca/wind-
west/ - For more information on the newly expanded Nova Scotia School Lunch Program and to order an affordable, nutritious lunch for your public school student, please visit: https://nslunch.ca/
- To learn more and apply for the $750 Seniors Care Grant to help with the costs of household and health services, including home heating, please visit: https://novascotia.ca/
seniors-care-grant/. To learn more and apply for the Heating Assistance Rebate Program, please visit: https://www.novascotia. ca/apply-heating-assistance- rebate-heating-assistance- rebate-program. - To discover Nova Scotia Loyal and learn how to identify, buy, and support local Nova Scotian products, please visit: https://nsloyal.ca/
- To learn more and sign up for the Nova Scotia Guard to rise to the occasion in the wake of an emergency, please visit: https://nsguard.ca/
- To book health services, get secure access to your own health records, or find the right care option for you, please download the YourHealthNS app or visit: https://yourhealthns.
ca/ Stay informed with NSGov News. Sign up for a monthly newsletter with information about community programs, services, and news that matters to you, delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe at: https://newsletter.novascotia.
ca/. For the most up-to-date information from the Government of Nova Scotia, please visit: https://novascotia.ca/.
Thank you,
The Premier’s Correspondence Team
Automatic reply: Does anyone understand why I laugh at all the bullshit?
Inbox
Minister of Finance / Ministre des Finances Jan 10, 2026, 7:44 PM
Moore, Rob - M.P. Jan 10, 2026, 7:44 PM
Holt, Susan Premier (PO/CPM) Jan 10, 2026, 7:44 PM
Davies, Don - M.P. Jan 10, 2026, 7:44 PM
Chong, Michael - M.P.
Thanks very much for getting in touch with me!
This email is to acknowledge receipt of your message and to let you know that every incoming email is read and reviewed. A member of my Wellington-Halton Hills North team will be in touch with you shortly if follow-up is required.
Due to the high volume of email correspondence, priority is given to responding to residents of Wellington-Halton Hills North and to emails of a non-chain (or “forwards”) variety.
In your email, if you:
· have verified that you are a constituent by including your complete residential postal address and a phone number, a response will be provided in a timely manner.
· have not included your residential postal mailing address, please resend your email with your complete residential postal address and phone number, and a response will be forthcoming.
If you are not a constituent of Wellington Halton-Hills North, please contact your Member of Parliament. If you are unsure who your MP is, you can find them by searching your postal code at http://www.ourcommons.ca/en
Any constituents of Wellington-Halton Hills North who require urgent attention are encouraged to call the constituency office at 1-866-878-5556 (toll-free in riding). Please rest assured that any voicemails will be returned promptly.
Once again, thank you for your email.
The Hon. Michael Chong, M.P.
Wellington-Halton Hills North
toll free riding office:1-866-878-5556Ottawa office: 613-992-4179
E-mail: michael.chong@parl.gc.ca
Website : www.michaelchong.ca
THIS MESSAGE IS ONLY INTENDED FOR THE USE OF THE INTENDED RECIPIENT(S) AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS PRIVILEGED, PROPRIETARY AND/OR CONFIDENTIAL. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, retransmission, dissemination, distribution, copying, conversion to hard copy or other use of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient and have received this message in error, please notify me by return e-mail and delete this message from your system.
Moore, Rob - M.P.
Thank you for contacting the Honourable Rob Moore, P.C., M.P. office. We appreciate the time you took to get in touch with our office.
If you did not already, please ensure to include your full contact details on your email and the appropriate staff will be able to action your request. We strive to ensure all constituent correspondence is responded to in a timely manner.
If your question or concern is time sensitive, please call our office: 506-832-4200.
Again, we thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore, P.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal
University—Rosedale <University-Rosedale@parl.gc.
ca>
Thank you for contacting the office of University-Rosedale. As of Friday January 9th, the Hon. Chrystia Freeland has resigned her position as Member of Parliament (MP).
The University-Rosedale constituency office will continue to provide core services and support constituents and community partners until a new MP is elected. Please note, however, that due to the volume of enquries and our reduced capacity during this transition, we may be delayed in our response and are prioritizing urgent and critical matters.We encourage you to contact relevant Canadian Government agencies and other community support services that are available to assist you.
· Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Client Support Centre: https://www.canada.ca/en/
immigration-refugees- citizenship/corporate/contact- ircc/client-support-centre. html · Community immigration legal and support services are also available through the Neighbourhood Group: https://tngcommunityto.org/
Programs-Services/Programs/ Kensington-Bellwoods- Community-Legal-Services · Canada Revenue Agency: https://www.canada.ca/en/
revenue-agency/corporate/ contact-information.html · Service Canada (for Canada Dental Care Plan, Canada Pension Plan, Guaranteed Income Supplement, Old Age Security, Passport Canada) Contact your program: https://www.canada.ca/en/
contact.htmlor via Phone: 1-800-622-6232 · Benefits Finder is available to help you find federal programs and benefits, access financial assistance, healthcare, and other government supports and services that you may be eligible for: https://www.canada.ca/en/
services/benefits/finder.html
Please note that priority is given to constituents of University-Rosedale. Individuals outside of University-Rosedale should contact their local MP to address their concerns. You can find your local MP at: https://www.ourcommons.ca/en/.
Should you wish to engage on Canadian policy matters, please reach out to the relevant Ministerial offices which can be found at: https://www.ourcommons.ca/en/
Should you require assistance with provincial or municipal issues, please contact your provinical or local representative. They can be found via: https://www.ola.org/en/members/current or City of Toronto Councillor office: https://www.toronto.ca/city- government/council/members-of- council/.
Minister of Finance / Ministre des Finances
Please be assured that we appreciate receiving your comments.
Le ministère des Finances Canada accuse réception de votre courriel.
Nous vous assurons que vos commentaires sont les bienvenus.
---------- Original message ---------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Feb 24, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Subject: Re: Does anyone understand why I laugh at all the bullshit?
To: <jasonlavigne@outlook.com>, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, pierre.poilievre <pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca>, don.davies <don.davies@parl.gc.ca>, elizabeth.may <elizabeth.may@parl.gc.ca>, John.Williamson <John.Williamson@parl.gc.ca>, Yves-Francois.Blanchet <Yves-Francois.Blanchet@parl.gc.ca>, <ps.ministerofpublicsafety- ministredelasecuritepublique. sp@ps-sp.gc.ca>, fin.minfinance-financemin.fin <fin.minfinance-financemin. fin@canada.ca>, <Chris.dEntremont@parl.gc.ca>, Ginette.PetitpasTaylor <Ginette.PetitpasTaylor@parl. gc.ca>, Wayne.Long <Wayne.Long@parl.gc.ca>, dominic.leblanc <dominic.leblanc@parl.gc.ca>, Michael.Duheme <Michael.Duheme@rcmp-grc.gc.ca >, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, ragingdissident <ragingdissident@protonmail. com>, washington field <washington.field@ic.fbi.gov>, Chrystia.Freeland <Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca> , Mark.Blakely <Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, Mike.Comeau <Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>, Richard.Bragdon <Richard.Bragdon@parl.gc.ca>, Frank.McKenna <Frank.McKenna@td.com>, JUSTMIN <JUSTMIN@novascotia.ca>, Sean.Fraser <Sean.Fraser@parl.gc.ca>, jan.jensen <jan.jensen@justice.gc.ca>, <mike.dawson@parl.gc.ca>, <paulpalango@eastlink.ca>, david mcguinty <david.mcguinty@parl.gc.ca>, PREMIER <PREMIER@gov.ns.ca>, <david.myles@parl.gc.ca>, Weir, Rob (LEG) <Rob.Weir@gnb.ca>, Donald J. Trump <contact@win.donaldjtrump.com> , <dlametti@fasken.com>, djtjr <djtjr@trumporg.com>, warren.mcbeath <warren.mcbeath@rcmp-grc.gc.ca >, <melanie.joly@ised-isde.gc.ca> , <JOHN.HERRON@gnb.ca>, Bill.Blair <Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca>, premier <premier@ontario.ca>, premier <premier@gov.ab.ca>, Susan.Holt <Susan.Holt@gnb.ca>, rob.moore <rob.moore@parl.gc.ca>, robert.gauvin <robert.gauvin@gnb.ca>, <michael.chong@parl.gc.ca>, Mitton, Megan (LEG) <megan.mitton@gnb.ca>
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Feb 23, 2026Conservative MPs will square off against Carney's Liberal cabinet today during question period, while Mark Carney is in Ottawa but refuses to come to the House of Commons. Tune in at 2pm EST for live coverage of question period!99 Comments
Why is that I am not surprised to see that my important comment was blocked???
Poilievre removes anything said bad about him.@catlover2652 BINGOMark Carney is in Ottawa but refused to come to the House of Commons.Surprise Surprise Surprise
The last thing Carney is concerned about is Canadians, he's preparing for another jet fuel burning holiday with exotic airline meals and no trade deals and nothing accomplished.Methinks many would agree that he is gonna have a writ dropped N'esy Pas?Methinks it should be quite a circus next week if Yves-Francois Blanchet asks about all the emails that he and many others have been thanking me for years N'esy Pas?From: Blanchet, Yves-François - DéputéDate: Thu, Feb 19, 2026 at 3:51 PMSubject: Réponse automatique : Full text of Stephen Harper's 1997 speechTo: David Amos"Thank you for your email. We will read it as soon as we can.We do not respond to correspondence that contains offensive language."
I agree with commonsense conservatives.. thank you conservativesPlease name one
No,Carney is not in Ottawa, he’s at home in New York! FACT!Counting all the taxpayers money he's stolen and dreaming of the dividends Crookfield will be paying him from all the green grift.LEARN TO HAVE RESPECT. THAT NOT FACTS. WHERE YOUR PROOF.??? WE ALL KNOW IS WORKING VERRY HARD WITH OTHERS COUNTRYS TO MAKE KNEW DEALS. IT EORKING VERRY HARD TO SAVE ARE COUNTRY. ARE YOU A AMERICAN OR A MAPLE MAGA?????? WITH ALL RESPECT@Kindredsprt Surely you jest
Polievre ....wannabe Trump, sweeps the floor in the White House Washington
They are paying these people to vote for them , If they cut them off these liberals are afraid they will lose their vote .
McKinnon what a quack, courts proved already emergencies act was illegal and unconstitutional STFU already what a hackWhat health care system Patty Hajdu I haven't been able to get any
on this side of the house. lol. minority govt thinking they own the showOn Thu, Feb 26, 2026 at 4:54 PM David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> wrote:
Dispersing the Fog -E49- Olympics, USSC re: Tariffs, John Risley, Guest Dave Moore on AI for Ports
Adam Rodgers - Nova Scotia Lawyer
Feb 22, 2026This week, we take a few minutes to lament the gold medal hockey game loss to the US, before discussing the stories of the week. This week saw the US Supreme Court strike down the tariff's that had been imposed by President Trump, as Adam had predicted after hearing the arguments before that Court. Also, we learned this week that the Tumbler Ridge school shooter was banned from Open AI for their postings on that platform, a school trustee in BC was fined $750,000 for comments about gender identity in the curriculum, and the Surrey Police have been denied in their request to delay their takeover of the RCMP in that region.Guest Dave Moore, a retired RCMP investigator, takes us inside the struggle for law enforcement to tackle the issue of securing our ports, and has a suggestion for how that may be done, taking after the example of Rotterdam.26 Comments
I bet Melissa Ellsworth, Rod Wilson and lots of other folks listened closely at the 12 minute markRod Wilson
Rod Wilson was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly as MLA for Halifax Armdale in 2024.
Mr. Wilson has over thirty years experience as a nurse, physician, and health care executive. He has also held leadership roles with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of NS, Doctors NS, NS Department of Health and served on the governing council of the Nova Scotia Barrister Society. Mr. Wilson is a longtime volunteer, working with NS AIDS Commission, Mental Health Foundation NS, Hospice Halifax, Canadian Mental Health Association NS Division, Adsum Women and Children, and Shelter Nova Scotia.
He is a member of the Private and Local Bills and Health Committees.
Constituency office
2625 Joseph Howe Drive, Suite 21
Halifax, NS
B3L 4G4
Phone: 902-943-0221
E-mail: rodwilson@nsmla.caBusiness address
NDP Caucus Office
Phone: 902-424-4134
BMO Building
5151 George Street, Suite 1402
Halifax, NS B3J 1M5---------- Original message ---------
From: Michelle Thompson <michellethompsonmla@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Feb 16, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Subject: Thank you for your email Re: My heart goes out to Melissa Ellsworth
To: <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Automatic Reply: You have reached the Antigonish Constituency Office.
If your matter is a health related issue and you are from outside the
Antigonish
Constituency, your email will be forwarded to Health.Minister@novascotia.ca
and the appropriate people at Department of Health and Wellness can
assist you with your concern. Emails containing abusive language or
threats will not be responded to
Thank you for reaching out. You have reached the constituency office
for Antigonish.
.
Thank you.
---------- Original message ---------From: Anandasangaree, Gary - M.P. <Gary.Anand@parl.gc.ca>
Date: Mon, Feb 16, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: My heart goes out to Melissa Ellsworth
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Hello,Thank you for contacting the Office of the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Member of Parliament for Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park and the Minister of Public Safety. Your correspondence has been received and will be reviewed.
Federal Services for Constituents:
If you are a resident of Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park seeking assistance with a federal service or program, please ensure you provide the following:
Public Safety
For inquiries relating to MP Anandasangaree's role as the Minister of Public Safety, please contact Public Safety Canada at ps.ministerofpublicsafety-ministredelasecuritepublique. sp@ps-sp.gc.ca
Thank you again for taking the time to contact our office, it is always welcomed and appreciated.
Yours very truly,
Bonjour,
Merci d'avoir communiqué avec le bureau de l'honorable Gary Anandasangaree, député de Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park et ministre de la Sécurité publique. Votre correspondance a bien été reçue et sera examinée.
Services fédéraux pour les électeurs :
Si vous résidez à Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park et que vous avez besoin d'aide concernant un service ou un programme fédéral, veuillez fournir les renseignements suivants :
Afin d'assurer une réponse rapide, veuillez noter que nous traitons en priorité les demandes provenant des résidents de Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park et que nous ne répondons pas aux lettres types.
Sécurité publique
Pour toute demande relative au rôle du député Anandasangaree en tant que ministre de la Sécurité publique, veuillez communiquer avec Sécurité publique Canada à l'adresse suivante : ps.ministerofpublicsafety-ministredelasecuritepublique. sp@ps-sp.gc.ca
Nous vous remercions encore une fois d'avoir pris le temps de communiquer avec notre bureau. Vos messages sont toujours les bienvenus et appréciés.
Cordialement,
The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, PC, KC, MPMember of ParliamentScarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park
---------- Original message ---------From: Blanchet, Yves-François - Député <Yves-Francois.Blanchet@parl.gc.ca>
Date: Mon, Feb 16, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Subject: Réponse automatique : My heart goes out to Melissa Ellsworth
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> (Ceci est une réponse automatique)
(English follows)
Bonjour,
Nous avons bien reçu votre courriel et nous vous remercions d'avoir écrit à M. Yves-François Blanchet, député de Beloeil-Chambly et chef du Bloc Québécois.
Comme nous avons un volume important de courriels, il nous est impossible de répondre à tous individuellement. Soyez assuré(e) que votre courriel recevra toute l'attention nécessaire.
Nous ne répondons pas à la correspondance contenant un langage offensant.
L'équipe du député Yves-François Blanchet
Chef du Bloc Québécois
Thank you for your email. We will read it as soon as we can.
We do not respond to correspondence that contains offensive language.
---------- Original message ---------From: Poilievre, Pierre - M.P. <pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca>
Date: Mon, Feb 16, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Subject: Acknowledgement – Email Received / Accusé de réception – Courriel reçu
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> On behalf of the Hon. Pierre Poilievre, we would like to thank you for contacting the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition.
Mr. Poilievre greatly values feedback and input from Canadians. We wish to inform you that the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition reads and reviews every e-mail we receive. Please note that this account receives a high volume of e-mails, and we endeavour to reply as quickly as possible.
If you are a constituent of Mr. Poilievre in the riding of Battle River - Crowfoot and you have an urgent matter to discuss, please contact his constituency office at:
Phone: 1-780-608-4600
Fax: 1-780-608-4603
Hon. Pierre Poilievre, M.P.
Battle River – Crowfoot4945 50 Street
Camrose, Alberta T4V 1P9
Once again, thank you for writing.
Sincerely,
Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition______________________________
______________________________ __________________________ Au nom de l’honorable Pierre Poilievre, nous tenons à vous remercier d’avoir communiqué avec le Bureau du chef de l’Opposition officielle.
M. Poilievre accorde une grande importance aux commentaires et aux suggestions des Canadiens. Nous tenons à vous informer que le Bureau du chef de l’Opposition officielle lit et examine tous les courriels qu’il reçoit. Veuillez noter que ce compte reçoit un volume important de courriels et que nous nous efforçons d’y répondre le plus rapidement possible.
Si vous êtes un électeur de M. Poilievre dans la circonscription de Battle River - Crowfoot et que vous avez une question urgente à discuter, veuillez contacter son bureau de circonscription :
Téléphone :
1-780-608-4600 Télécopieur :
1-780-608-4603 L’honorable Pierre Poilievre, député
Battle River – Crowfoot4945, 50 Street
Camrose (Alberta) T4V 1P9
Encore une fois, merci de votre message.
Veuillez agréer nos salutations distinguées,
Bureau du chef de l’Opposition officielle
---------- Original message ---------
From: Julie Vanexan <mlajulievanexan@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Feb 17, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Subject: Re: Fwd: My heart goes out to Melissa Ellsworth
To: <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
**This is an automated response**
Thank you for your email, it has been received.
If you could please make sure your full name, phone number, and address are
attached to this email. We do prioritize our constituency emails, and try
to respond in a timely manner.
--
Julie Vanexan
MLA for Kings South
8789 Commercial St.
New Minas, NS, B4N 3C5
Phone: 902-365-6210 <+19023656210>
Email: mlajulievanexan@gmail.co <mlajulievanexan@gmail.com>m
Website: mlajulievanexan.ca
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---------- Original message ---------
From: Premier <PREMIER@novascotia.ca>
Date: Mon, Feb 16, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Subject: Thank you for your email
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> Thank you for contacting the Office of the Premier. This is an automatic confirmation that your message has been received.
Please note that the Premier receives a tremendous volume of e-mails and letters every week. If your message requires an answer, we will get back to you as soon as possible.
To get you the best answer possible and ensure accurate information, your message may be shared with other Ministers or appropriate government officials to respond on the Premier’s behalf. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Here are some helpful resources:
- To learn more about Wind West, Canada's first offshore wind development, please visit: https://novascotia.ca/wind-
west/ - For more information on the newly expanded Nova Scotia School Lunch Program and to order an affordable, nutritious lunch for your public school student, please visit: https://nslunch.ca/
- To learn more and apply for the $750 Seniors Care Grant to help with the costs of household and health services, including home heating, please visit: https://novascotia.ca/
seniors-care-grant/. To learn more and apply for the Heating Assistance Rebate Program, please visit: https://www.novascotia. ca/apply-heating-assistance- rebate-heating-assistance- rebate-program. - To discover Nova Scotia Loyal and learn how to identify, buy, and support local Nova Scotian products, please visit: https://nsloyal.ca/
- To learn more and sign up for the Nova Scotia Guard to rise to the occasion in the wake of an emergency, please visit: https://nsguard.ca/
- To book health services, get secure access to your own health records, or find the right care option for you, please download the YourHealthNS app or visit: https://yourhealthns.
ca/ Stay informed with NSGov News. Sign up for a monthly newsletter with information about community programs, services, and news that matters to you, delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe at: https://newsletter.novascotia.
ca/. For the most up-to-date information from the Government of Nova Scotia, please visit: https://novascotia.ca/.
Thank you,
The Premier’s Correspondence Team
Party leaders point fingers as Nova Scotia debt continues to climb
Premier says he's responding to deferred needs, opposition says government can't manage a budget
February 24|Party leaders point fingers as Nova Scotia debt continues to climb
Duration 2:34As the debate begins around the government's latest budget, opposition leaders are calling attention to the province's growing debt. The CBC's Michael Gorman has the story.Nova Scotia’s debt has increased by about $10 billion since Premier Tim Houston and his team formed government and the latest budget being debated at Province House shows the number will continue to climb.
The premier says it’s because his government is making up for inaction by past governments, while opposition leaders say it has more to do with a government incapable of managing budgets.
When Houston and the Progressive Conservatives came to power in 2021, the debt stood at about $17 billion. The 2026-27 budget tabled Monday pegs the debt at almost $28 billion and projects it will hit almost $36 billion by 2029-30.
The premier told reporters on Tuesday that his government’s record spending on things such as health-care, long-term care beds, roads and housing has been out of necessity.
“Significant infrastructure needs were facing our province,” he said.
“So we had a choice: we could do what has been done and just put our heads in the sand and pretend it didn’t exist and ignore it, or we could invest in the infrastructure that is around the province that is needed to keep people safe and to really improve our quality of life.”
NDP Claudia Chender speaks to reporters at Province House. (Michael Gorman/CBC)
That record spending has also seen the government spend all the extra money it received during each of the last five years in the form of federal transfer payments and tax revenue related to the population boom the province experienced.
While that boom has subsided, the commitments the government locked itself into with labour agreements and major infrastructure projects continue. Now the government finds itself looking for a solution.
The 2026-27 budget includes $304 million in cuts that will affect jobs across the public service and discretionary program grants, and promises for even larger cuts in the subsequent three years. Even with that, department spending is up this year by 7.7 per cent, or $1.3 billion.
NDP Leader Claudia Chender said Houston and his government have been “terrible fiscal managers.”
Chender said the record spending has come without sufficient transparency because of the government’s track record of spending billions of dollars outside its own budget.
“They will use our money however they want, they will not stay within their budget and they won’t even tell us how they’re spending it,” she told reporters.
“It’s a fundamental problem. The debt servicing costs are enormous.”
Interim Liberal Leader Iain Rankin speakers to reporters at Province House. (Michael Gorman/CBC)
Debt servicing costs in the 2026-27 budget come in at about $1 billion and are projected to reach almost $1.5 billion by 2029-30.
When he tabled his budget Monday, Finance Minister John Lohr said the current numbers do not reflect potential economic windfalls that could be earned through natural resource development projects and increased defence spending by the federal government. Lohr and Houston have remained bullish on the potential of each.
Whether there could be financial help around the corner or not, Interim Liberal Leader Iain Rankin said Houston and his government are where they are because they’ve been unable to say ‘no’ and live within their means.
“We haven’t seen this kind of mismanagement in a long time,” said Rankin, himself a former premier and member of a previous Liberal government that got into protracted labour battles in an effort to balance the budget.
Rankin said the government he was a part of addressed a financial deficit and still managed to find ways to make infrastructure investments such as highway twinning and repairs to schools.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael GormanReporter
Michael Gorman covers the Nova Scotia legislature for CBC, with additional focuses on health care and rural communities. Contact him with story ideas at michael.gorman@cbc.ca
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