The federal information watchdog has identified several shortcomings — from inadequate training to cumbersome paper-based processes — that hamper National Defence's ability to answer formal requests from the public.In a special report tabled in Parliament today, information commissioner Caroline Maynard says her systemic investigation found Defence did not meet its obligations under the Access to Information Act because of dated or inefficient practices.The access law allows people who pay $5 to request an array of federal files but it has been widely criticized as outdated, clumsy and of

Federal Court Justice Ann Marie McDonald has struck down a key agreement on refugees between Canada and the United States.She says elements of the law underpinning the Safe Third Country Agreement violate constitutional guarantees of life, liberty and security.Canada and the U-S have recognized each other as safe places to seek protection, but Canadian refugee advocates have argued America is not always a safe country for people fleeing persecution.They told the court that Canada is exposing ineligible refugee claimants to detention and other rights violations in returning them to the U-S.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has an obligation to look into allegations that Gov. Gen. Julie Payette mistreated staff members.Singh says workplaces need to be safe, and employees must feel they are heard when they raise concerns.Singh was responding to questions today about a CBC News report that quoted anonymous sources as saying Payette has created a toxic environment at Rideau Hall.The CBC reported Tuesday that Payette had yelled at, belittled and publicly humiliated employees, reducing some to tears or prompting them to quit.In a statement Tuesday, the Gover

The latest numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 6:56 p.m. on July 21, 2020: There are 111,697 confirmed cases in Canada. Quebec: 57,796 confirmed (including 5,658 deaths, 50,298 resolved) Ontario: 37,942 confirmed (including 2,753 deaths, 33,605 resolved) Alberta: 9,728 confirmed (including 172 deaths, 8,363 resolved) British Columbia: 3,328 confirmed (including 189 deaths, 2,873 resolved) Nova Scotia: 1,067 confirmed (including 63 deaths, 1,003 resolved) Saskatchewan: 970 confirmed (including 15 deaths, 813 resolved) Manitoba: 353 confirmed (including 7 deaths, 318 resolved),

The Liberal government's cancelled contract with an organization connected closely to the prime minister will be back in the spotlight today.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected in the House of Commons, with the opposition raring to press him on how his cabinet decided to approve handing control over a $900-million student program to the WE Charity organization. The Conservatives' latest line of attack is linked to media reports of internal problems with WE, including one by Canadaland suggesting auditors had raised red flags about how the organization has handled its finances in recent y

Many questions remain in the case of a Quebec father whose body was found hours after the funeral for his two young daughters.Provincial police announced on Twitter Monday night they found what they believe is the body of fugitive Martin Carpentier in the area of St-Apollinaire, Que., southwest of Quebec City.Police said it appears Carpentier took his own life, but did not offer further information or say how he'd gone undetected during an intense 10-day manhunt.The discovery came 12 days after Carpentier and his daughters were involved in a car crash on the evening of July 8 in St-Apollinair

There are 111,124 confirmed cases in Canada. Quebec: 57,616 confirmed (including 5,657 deaths, 50,190 resolved) Ontario: 37,739 confirmed (including 2,752 deaths, 33,513 resolved) Alberta: 9,587 confirmed (including 167 deaths, 8,308 resolved) British Columbia: 3,300 confirmed (including 189 deaths, 2,858 resolved) Nova Scotia: 1,067 confirmed (including 63 deaths, 1,003 resolved) Saskatchewan: 962 confirmed (including 15 deaths, 802 resolved) Manitoba: 343 confirmed (including 7 deaths, 318 resolved), 11 presumptive Newfoundland and Labrador: 262 confirmed (including 3 deaths, 259 resolved) N

The federal government is rejecting a Conservative accusation that it was either ignorance or corruption that led the Liberals to briefly award a huge contract to the WE charity. The group had paid members of Justin Trudeau's family for speaking engagements. During question period in the House of Commons, Conservative leader Andrew Scheer pointed to reports that auditors had been concerned while reviewing WE Charity's financials. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland maintained it was civil servants who favoured WE running the 900 million dollar student jobs program. The House of Commons is

The House of Commons meets today as the Liberals seek to pass a bill to extend their wage-subsidy program, send a special payment to people with disabilities and extend some legal deadlines for court cases. Finance Minister Bill Morneau says the wage-subsidy program needs to be extended to December and have its criteria loosened a little, so business can re-open and employ workers even if trade is slow at first as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The payments of up to $600 for people with disabilities and the court extensions were elements of a bill the Liberals couldn't get through the House