(Photo courtesy Architect of the Capitol, VisitTheCapitol.gov)

Trudeau to meet with Pelosi, McConnell on USMCA

Washington | Reuters — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week is set to meet with Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the Democrat-controlled U.S. House of Representatives, and U.S. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, in a bid to fast-track passage of a delayed trade deal, two congressional aides said on Monday. Trudeau is to



Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell addresses a MAGA rally in Richmond, Ky. on Oct. 13, 2018. (Photo: Reuters/Joshua Roberts)

U.S. Senate will not vote on USMCA in 2018, McConnell says

Washington | Reuters — The U.S. Senate’s top Republican said on Tuesday that senators will not vote to approve a revised North American trade pact in 2018, leaving the issue to the next Congress. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell told Bloomberg Television that the Senate will not have time to take up the new United



(Dave Bedard photo)

U.S. House clears farm bill, with major food stamps changes

Washington | Reuters — The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a massive Republican farm bill with changes to the government food stamps program that make it unlikely to become law in this form. The Senate is considering its own farm bill with no major changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) used


(LOP.parl.ca)

Senate approves recreational use of marijuana

Toronto | Reuters — Canada’s upper house of Parliament on Tuesday approved a revised bill to legalize recreational marijuana, setting the stage for the country to become the first Group of Seven nation to legalize cannabis. The Senate voted 52-29 in favour of the revised bill from the House of Commons, paving the way for




Senate passes amended version of transport bill

The move ensures further delay in passing legislation to address ongoing rail service concerns

Hours before the start of a two-week Parliamentary recess, the Senate passed the transport modernization bill with 19 amendments that farm groups and others were seeking. However the move sends the bill back to the Commons for approval. As Transport Minister Marc Garneau opposed any amendments to it in an appearance just before the Senate