Monday, Sept. 17:
- Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney joined the Canadian Council of Chief Executives conference in Ottawa to participate in a discussion on “Asia’s Rise and the Opportunities for Canada”
- Treasury Board President Tony Clement outlined the government’s response to recommendations by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics on changes to the Lobbying Act. Although vague in most of its commitments, the government did express a desire to look at changing the definition of a “Designated Public Office” holder to encompass more public servants.
- Minister of Public Works and Government Services Rona Ambrose and Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird announced the launch of community consultations for the redevelopment of Tunney’s Pasture.
Tuesday, Sept. 18:
- Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and Human Resources Minister Diane Finley announced the beginning of in-person and online consultations through the Panel on Labour Market Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities.
- Minister of State (Finance) Ted Menzies announced an expansion of the Code of Conduct for the Credit and Debit Card Industry in Canada to include mobile payments.
- Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced federal support for the Canola Council of Canada to develop a strategic plan to create greater profits for canola famers and the canola industry. The $43,000 grant comes through the Agricultural Innovation Program.
- Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz also announced the appointment of Martine Dubuc as Canada’s new chief food safety Officer, as well as the appointment of Ian Alexander as Canada’s new chief veterinary officer.
- Minister of Veterans Affairs Steven Blaney announced that Canadian veterans can now apply for jobs through the Helmets to Hardhats Canada website.
Wednesday, Sept. 19:
- Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced two changes to the federal public service. Associate deputy minister of foreign affairs Gérald Cossette becomes director of the financial transactions and reports analysis centre of Canada, effective Oct. 15. Ambassador of Canada to the Federal Republic of Germany Peter M. Boehm becomes associate deputy minister of foreign affairs, effective Nov. 26.
Thursday, Sept. 20:
- Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Diane Finley introduced the Helping Families in Need Act, which seeks to extend benefits under the Employment Insurance Act that will make parents eligible for sickness benefits should they fall ill while collecting parental benefits, as well as creating a new EI benefit for parents of children who are injured or critically ill.
- Transport Minister Denis Lebel and Minister of State (Transport) Steven Fletcher hosted a roundtable with national stakeholders in Ottawa to discuss the creation of a new long-term public infrastructure plan.
- Liberal Senator Vivienne Poy announced that she was leaving the Senate of Canada to become a “full-time writer and globetrotter,” as well as to spend more time with her family.
Friday, Sept. 21:
- International Trade Minister Ed Fast announced that the Canada-Jordan Free Trade Agreement will come into force on Oct. 1, 2012.
- Minister of State (Science and Technology) Gary Goodyear attended the opening of the Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre in Waterloo, ON, highlighting a $25-million grant from the from the federal government for the creation of the centre.
- Natural Trade Minister Joe Oliver concluded an economic mission to South Korea, meeting with government and industry leaders to improve investment and partnerships with Canada in natural resource sectors.
- Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird announced the appointment of Mackenzie Clugston as Ambassador of Canada to Japan.
Eye on the Hill is prepared by Ottawa-based government relations and communications firm Flagship Solutions.
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