Ottawa Observations: Friday, December 15, 2017

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Friday, December 15, 2017.




Poloz ready to stop 'playing defence' as Canada's economy rebounds
Chief Justice Beverly McLachlin takes pride in work on Indigenous rights as he retires
Chief Justice McLachlin made the Supreme Court accessible to the people
Francois Legault and CAQ trying to be 'more pragmatic than left or right' as Quebec election looms
PMO hires prominent law firm to investigate allegations against staffer
Province have until the end of 2018 to submit carbon price plans
CRA squeezes voluntary disclosures amid tax-evasion crackdown
Quebec offers plan to help newspapers while Ottawa does nothing
Firm that investigated Ghomeshi claims now probing allegations of inappropriate behaviour
McLachlin defends judiciary in sexual assault cases as she retires as chief justice
Federal government proposes new monitoring system for medical assistance in dying
Kent Hehr acknowledges he can 'brash and insensitive' at times but doesn't believe that should disqualify him from his job as the federal minister of sport and persons with disabilities
CRA service issues are systemic, says taxpayers' ombudsman
Rex Tillerson to meet with Canada's cabinet, talk Korea crisis
Liberals end parliament sitting just where they started it, with a lead in the polls
Provinces have until the end of 2018 to submit carbon price plans: McKenna
NAFTA uncertainty weighing on Canadian business confidence: EDC
Senate committee turns ugly, shouting ensues amid accusations of a 'smear campaign' over expenses
Trudeau government gag order in CIA brainwashing case silences victims, lawyer says
Canada seeks U.S. buy in on ocean protection as part of G7 climate initiative
Black Liberal MP speaks out against 'draining' discriminatory acts on Parliament Hill
Beverly McLachlin leaves chief justice post cheering Supreme Court's work on Aboriginal issues
Looking back provides clues to where Canada is heading
It's time to take another look at our tax system
Search is on for solutions to NAFTA impasse on auto parts
Poll suggests Trudeau's approval below 50%
Returning ISIS fighters deserve to be locked up
Liberals unethical pick for new ethics commissioner
Marc Emery was right; Julian Fantino was wrong
Why Canada needs more trade with Asia
When there's a Liberal ethics scandal, the 'commissioner' helpfully smothers it
Now is the time for broad reform of Canada's productivity-killing tax system
High profile Liberal donor found to have swindled millions in immigration scheme
Liberals clearly care more about ministers' photo-ops than Canada's military
Are the Liberals living up to their promises on Indigenous issues?
As Trump boldly fires up American success, Canada stumbles along weakly
Trudeau's popularity falls below 50 per cent for the first time: Angus Reid Institute
Liberal MP says racial microaggressions 'happen all the time' on Parliament Hill
Precious ceremonial objects slowly being returned to First Nations from museums