One feature of the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is an extension of patent protections from eight to ten years for a class of pharmaceuticals known as biological drugs. The NDP and others have criticized this aspect of the agreement, claiming it will increase the price of drugs in Canada. In October, Don Davies, NDP health critic and MP for Vancouver Kingsway, pointed to the already-high cost of prescription drugs. During question period, he said, “one in four Canadians skips necessary medicine because of cost.” For this check, we’ll set aside the impacts of the trade deal, the US ..read more

During an open discussion on gender equity at the G20 summit in Argentina in November, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, “women entrepreneurs tend to make better choices than others. We’ve seen it in study after study.” The comment met with criticism from news outlets as well as opposition politicians, such as Maxime Bernier and Lisa Raitt. We decided to ask, is there evidence to show women entrepreneurs make better choices than men? The research While the research shows some positive benefits from the inclusion of women in teams and in board and executive positions of a corporation, there ..read more

Air passenger rights have been in development under the Liberals for a few years. This week, Marc Garneau, the transport minister, outlined a proposed protection system for passengers when faced with airline cancellation, delays, or other incidents. The proposed rules are not yet public. The government plans to release the draft regulation tomorrow, December 22, and in the meantime has released highlights. Canadians will be able to comment on the draft regulation for 60 days. Garneau has said he expects the rules to be implemented in summer 2019. In his announcement, Garneau said, “I think we ..read more

One feature of the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is an extension of patent protections from eight to ten years for a class of pharmaceuticals known as biological drugs. The NDP and others have criticized this aspect of the agreement, claiming it will increase the price of drugs in Canada. In October, Don Davies, NDP health critic and MP for Vancouver Kingsway, pointed to the already-high cost of prescription drugs. During question period, he said, “one in four Canadians skips necessary medicine because of cost.” For this check, we’ll set aside the impacts of the trade deal, the US ..read more

Earlier this month, the Conservative Party of Canada posted a petition on its website for signatories to oppose the UN Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. The party also introduced a motion in the House of Commons opposing the compact. A main argument expressed by the party is that the compact limits Canada’s sovereignty. Andrew Scheer, leader of the Conservative Party, tweeted,  “Justin Trudeau and the Liberals just defeated my motion opposing the UN Global Compact for Migration. He may be ready to cede Canada’s sovereignty, but I’m not.” The Conservative Party simil ..read more

During an open discussion on gender equity at the G20 summit in Argentina in November, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, “women entrepreneurs tend to make better choices than others. We’ve seen it in study after study.” The comment met with criticism from news outlets as well as opposition politicians, such as Maxime Bernier and Lisa Raitt. We decided to ask, is there evidence to show women entrepreneurs make better choices than men? The research While the research shows some positive benefits from the inclusion of women in teams and in board and executive positions of a corporation, there ..read more

Last month, federal and provincial environment ministers approved in principle a Canada-wide strategy on zero plastic waste. They set a goal of reducing garbage output by 50 per cent by 2040. On the same day, Catherine McKenna, federal minister of environment and climate change, shared the news on twitter, adding, “if we don’t act, plastics will outweigh fish in our oceans by 2050.” In this check, we look into the source of McKenna’s claim and consider its accuracy. Where does the plastics vs. fish comparison come from? Environment and Climate Change Canada spokesperson Veronica Petro pointed ..read more

Air passenger rights have been in development under the Liberals for a few years. This week, Marc Garneau, the transport minister, outlined a proposed protection system for passengers when faced with airline cancellation, delays, or other incidents. The proposed rules are not yet public. The government plans to release the draft regulation tomorrow, December 22, and in the meantime has released highlights. Canadians will be able to comment on the draft regulation for 60 days. Garneau has said he expects the rules to be implemented in summer 2019. In his announcement, Garneau said, “I think we ..read more

One feature of the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is an extension of patent protections from eight to ten years for a class of pharmaceuticals known as biological drugs. The NDP and others have criticized this aspect of the agreement, claiming it will increase the price of drugs in Canada. In October, Don Davies, NDP health critic and MP for Vancouver Kingsway, pointed to the already-high cost of prescription drugs. During question period, he said, “one in four Canadians skips necessary medicine because of cost.” For this check, we’ll set aside the impacts of the trade deal, the US ..read more

Earlier this month, the Conservative Party of Canada posted a petition on its website for signatories to oppose the UN Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. The party also introduced a motion in the House of Commons opposing the compact. A main argument expressed by the party is that the compact limits Canada’s sovereignty. Andrew Scheer, leader of the Conservative Party, tweeted,  “Justin Trudeau and the Liberals just defeated my motion opposing the UN Global Compact for Migration. He may be ready to cede Canada’s sovereignty, but I’m not.” The Conservative Party simil ..read more