Category: parliamentarians

Han Dong Resigns From Liberal Caucus After Report Alleges He Told Chinese Diplomat to Hold Off on Releasing Two Michaels

MP Han Dong said March 22 he is resigning from the Liberal caucus after a news report alleged he had told a Chinese diplomat that Beijing should not release two Canadian citizens who had been arbitrarily detained in China, an allegation that Dong denies. “I’m taking this extraordinary step because to sit in the government caucus…


Intel Panel Finds ‘Important Challenges’ Facing Federal Approach on Hostage-Takings

MPs and senators who oversee security and intelligence activities are calling on the government to create a clear framework to respond to terrorist hostage-takings. The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians points out several shortcomings with the current approach in a report on Global Affairs Canada tabled today. The committee says a new framework…


Canadian Parliamentarians Plan Visit to Taiwan in the Fall

Several Canadian parliamentarians are planning a trip to Taiwan this fall, following in the footsteps of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who visited the self-ruled democracy earlier this month, according to Liberal MP Judy Sgro. Sgro said eight members in the House of Commons standing committee on international trade, which she chairs, are planning a trip…


Honorable No More

Commentary In all parliamentary democracies whose legislatures are descended from the British “Mother of Parliaments” in Westminster, there is a rule against what is called “unparliamentary language.” Members are allowed to criticize and even to insult one another, but only within certain limits. These limits vary from one parliament to another, but all have in…