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The incoherence of the federal and provincial responses to COVID justifies the public inquiry being called for by Conservative leader Erin O’Toole.
But Canadians should not be surprised at such disorganization, according to a senior public servant who has witnessed Ottawa’s emergency response in action (he agreed to speak to the National Post on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to talk to media).
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“I’d say we were completely unprepared (for the pandemic),” he said, despite the Emergency Management Act that requires ministers to come up with an emergency plan.
John Ivison: Canadian governments disorganized response to COVID should surprise no one nationalpost.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nationalpost.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Pay hike for MPs is controversial
Many constituents have written to me concerned about the pay hike that Members of Parliament automatically received Apr. 1, 2021. I also share those concerns.
Many people feel that, in the middle of an emergency, the last thing that needs to be done is to increase the pay of politicians.
The pay hike was set up by the Liberals and automatically occurs without a vote in the House of Commons.
As incredible as it sounds, there’s no way I can stop receiving it.
As such there’s the next best thing. I’ll be donating the money I get in this pay hike to charities and organizations in Edmonton that have a good track record of helping folks in our community.
Coronavirus Update: Scientists suggest GPHIN operate independently of government theglobeandmail.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theglobeandmail.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Good morning,
A group of top scientists concerned about the weakening of the federal pandemic early warning system in the years before COVID-19 emerged have proposed relocating the operation to a university where it can work independently of government.
The proposal is aimed at restoring the Global Public Health Intelligence Network to its former status as an internationally respected pandemic surveillance system. Documents outlining the plan were submitted to an independent panel in Ottawa that is reviewing the system’s future.