PMO interferes with standard RCMP procedure in High River

The Alberta floods weren't without its controversy - from a PMO that tends to get itself deeper into problems every time it acts on something. The PMO ordered the RCMP return guns that officers took from the abandoned homes of High River as a standard safety procedure to prevent crimes in the wake of disaster.

Obama: Keystone pipeline approval depends on its emissions

US President Barack Obama drew a clear line in the sand today on where he stands on the controversial keystone pipeline project. Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver responded to the remarks, saying he's confident the facts support the approval of the project in a time when the Conservatives will likely be shifting their attention to the resource-based economy.

The Defense Department is still nothing but fat and bureaucracy

Despite a report two years ago outlining wasteful bureaucracy in the Department of Defense, and despite a cut to the department as part of the Conservatives' effort to reign in their deficit, the number of civilian staff members rose 30% in six years. For a government that preaches fiscal prudence, there is no place they want to seal off more than the Defense department.

Emails: Diplomats, Military Officials told to downplay F-35 fiasco

Emails show Canadian diplomats and military officials were instructed to downplay the scathing report from the Auditor General which outlined the Government's waste in the F-35 project when speaking with foreign officials. At one point, they were told to blame it on "bureaucratic" issues.

PMO orchestrated protest during Trudeau's speech this month

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau's accountability speech June 5 was crashed by protesters and aired on national TV. In addition to the "in over his head" attack ads and negative spin on speaking gigs, the PMO is also responsible for a partisan protest manned by young Tory interns.

Calgary Floods: An act of God or proof of climate change?

Climatologists have been warning the world for years about the ramifications of climate change. It is no secret global temperatures are on the rise and as the earth continually tries to regain equilibrium, climatic anomalies will continue to stagger in severity. Is the recent flooding, crippling Calgary, simply an act of god, or an example of what climatologists have long been predicting?

John Baird scrutinized for "freeloading" on taxpayers' property

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird is under scrutiny after CTV news learned he and six buddies had a vacation at the official residence of Canada's High Commissioner to Great Britain. The scrutiny intensified as we learned Baird used tax-payer owned assets in New York on two separate occasions for vacation use.

The Duffy Affair: Investigation broadens, implicates 12 Tory MPs

The Duffy investigation has broadened to grab the electoral records of 12 Conservative MPs and the spending claims of independent senator Mac Harb. Court records show the RCMP's sensitive and international investigations division has characterized the investigation as one on "Breach of Trust."

Grace Foundation never authorized letter to Trudeau

The Grace Foundation has released a statement amid a week that has left them "deeply distressed." The Foundation said it didn't authorize any letter to Trudeau, just days after controversy broke because of a letter released to the PMO from board member Susan Buck that said Trudeau's event last year was a "huge disappointment and financial loss for our organization" and deep Conservative ties that were easily exposed.

NDP: Harper wastes political opportunity and money with Trudeau

The NDP aren't thrilled with the way the Conservatives are handling the Grace Foundation's "political gift" to them. All the while, the Conservatives are under fire over PMO resources that went to this partisan attack. The NDP had hoped to make political gains by having the Conservatives take the brunt for attacking Liberal leader Justin Trudeau who is ahead in the polls.

Conservative Senator was paid for his charity work too...

The Conservatives are one to talk about ethics when Senators from their party committed the same acts as they claim were wrong for Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau to do. Former NHL Coach and Conservative Senator Jacques Demers, however, did the same thing as Trudeau, painting Tory claims with a thick coat of hypocrisy. While collecting a salary in the senate, Demers collected money for speaking to a literacy charity.

PMO orchestrated Grace Foundation contradiction and smears

It is telling when a charity, which has clear links to the Conservative Party and PMO, demands a refund a year after enjoying an event with Liberal leader Justin Trudeau. Numbers discovered through the Canada Revenue Agency show an organization that's doing very well, contrary to the claims they made as part of an opportunist act orchestrated by the PMO. Just when the PMO didn't have enough problems with the Duffy affair...

Grace Foundation charity refund another failed Conservative stunt

The Conservatives launched an attack on Liberal leader Justin Trudeau Friday, claiming he made profit on his charity services. The attack came as the Grace Foundation asked for a refund after claiming Trudeau's speech did nothing to further their efforts. Screenshots circulating on social media, however, show its board member, Judith Baxter has close ties with the Conservative government and a lucrative position in the public sector.

UK Labour MP: Harper's Speech was "not prime ministerial"

Prime Minister Stephen Harper went to Europe to hammer out an EU-Canada free trade agreement and to escape the growing scandals that have plagued his government. However, when Harper went to speak to the British Parliament, he was not only met with protests, British parliamentarians were unimpressed with his speech.

MPs increase their travel budgets and salaries

On March 25, the Commons Board of Internal Economy decided to give MPs a pay increase and larger travel allowance. MPs will be getting a 1.6% raise while also receiving 6.7% more money for their travel allowances. The changes were only made public Thursday when it was tabled in the House of Commons. In a time of economic uncertainty and a focus on reducing deficits, increasing MP salaries and travel allowances proves to be reckless and irresponsible.

NDP only party against transparency measures

The party that wanted to position itself as Canada's "ethical alternative" to the Liberals and Conservatives has shocked Canadians Tuesday with their outright dismissal of Liberal leader Justin Trudeau's motion to make MP finances public. The NDP has further surprised taxpayers yesterday when the party refused to publish their finances online and refused to comment on their stance.

Robocall Scandal: Dean Del Mastro breaks the silence

Conservative MP Dean Del Mastro broke the silence yesterday after allegations of overspending and confusing robocalls arose a year ago. The allegations led to a Parliamentary Committee that was supposed to question Del Mastro and when the time came to get the answers, the NDP chair shut down the committee. Del Mastro spoke on CBC's Power and Politics demanding Elections Canada either drop a charge or clear his name.

Ex-Chief Electoral Officer: There was no oversight on secret PMO fund

The former head of Elections Canada says the agency had no authority to probe the PMO's secret fund and cannot probe the $90,172 cheque from former chief of staff Nigel Wright to former Conservative Senator Mike Duffy. The secret fund was first revealed by CBC but within 18 hours after acknowledging its existence, the Conservatives launched a sharp attack claiming it never existed and the CBC committed "shotty" journalism.

The Duffy Affair: Bruce Carson "surprised" Harper was unaware

Ex-aide to Prime Minister Stephen Harper Bruce Carson spoke out yesterday in a surprising phone call to CBC's Power and Politics where he said he was surprised Harper didn't know about the Duffy affair. Carson said sensitive information was always given to Harper "immediately" - "no matter how bad."

NDP reject accountability, play pathetic political games

The pro-cooperation candidate of the NDP showed the party's ugly head today as he orchestrated the defeat of Liberal leader Justin Trudeau's accountability measures and turned to old-style dirty politics. Former NDP leader Jack Layton may have said he wanted to fix Ottawa, but it turns out people in his party like NDP House Leader Nathan Cullen are only part of the problem. A party dropping further into third place and in a vengeance against a Liberal comeback, today's events weren't fuelled on principle, but on sleazy NDP politics.

The Duffy Affair: Tkachuk resigns committee citing cancer

Conservative senator David Tkachuk is stepping down as head of the Internal Economy Committee as of Thursday citing "preventative treatment for cancer." Tkachuk was allegedly responsible for whitewashing an audit made on the expense claims of former Conservative Senator Mike Duffy. He chaired the committee since 2011 and was appointed to the senate in 1993 by former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.

Conservative MP Eve Adams used election money for herself

There is nothing more important to a rising star in the Conservative Party than to look good. It turns out, there's no sweeter deal than claiming salon expenses and more personal expenses on taxpayers. Adams is joining the growing list of Conservative MPs and Senators who think it is alright to have the Canadian taxpayer pay for their personal affairs. The list of expenses is hair raising and brings the Conservative abuse of taxpayer's money to a new level.

Report: Conservatives implemented Big Brother in 2011

In light of the ongoing scandal in the United States which revealed the Obama Administration was spying on millions of Americans, a new report finds the Conservative government has been doing the same thing in Canada since 2011. Call it a page out of George Orwell's 1984, or a legitimate attempt to secure Canadians, the decision was kept in the dark and may have infringed on your privacy and rights. Monitoring your every phone call and key stroke, the Conservatives have been watching. Big Brother is now in full gear and there's going to be some explaining to do.

NDP to defend Conservative MPs again, this time pending court ruling

Conservative MPs Shelly Glover and James Bezan are in legal trouble over financial filings from the last election campaign - Glover has the added accusation of running a misleading robocall campaign. Chief Electoral officer Marc Mayrand sent a letter to the Speaker, Conservative MP Andrew Scheer, asking that the two MPs be removed from the House of Commons. The Liberals asked for the letter, Scheer told them to find it online. The Tory MPs face serious allegations of electoral misuse and the NDP are going to support them on Monday.

The Duffy Affair: Conservatives deny secret PMO fund

CBC released a bombshell story yesterday revealing the PMO hid a secret fund for seven years and was used for untracked partisan spending. The fund was secret and was guarded by four chief of staffs since its creation in 2006, along with a five-member board from the Conservative Fund of Canada. The Conservatives have since denied the existence of the fund, despite admitting to its existence only 18 hours ago.

Harper's jet repainted for $50,000 by taxpayer dime

Prime Minister Stephen Harper wasted $50,000 on the look of his personal government plane with the design revealed on February 24 being applied to the jet. NDP leader Thomas Mulcair accused Harper of blurring the lines between government and party money as the plane clearly didn't need a paint job and is themed after the Conservatives' three main colours.

The Duffy Affair: The PMO guarded a secret fund for 7 years - Why?

CBC News has learned the PMO has a secret fund, allegedly paid for by the Conservative Party, to be used for funds the PMO deems isn't best to leave on the taxpayers' backs. Questions have been raised whether Nigel Wright, who controlled the fund, either used the money to pay Mike Duffy or was reimbursed with this money for paying Duffy. Furthermore, questions are raised as to why a secret fund using Conservative funds isn't just declared as expenses incurred by the Conservative Party.

MP Rathgeber resigns Conservative caucus due to its lack of accountability

Former Conservative backbencher MP Brent Rathgeber resigned the Conservative caucus tonight, citing the government's lack of accountability as the reason. This comes as he tried to pass private members Bill C-461 which aimed to release public sector salaries but got shot down by the Conservative government. Rathgeber was one of the 9 MPs that revolted in support of Stephen Woodworth's right to discuss abortion politics and stood against PMO muzzling.

Two Conservative MPs could be suspended over election filings

Elections Canada has sent letters to the Speaker putting two Conservative MPs in legal limbo after failing to file campaign documents in the 2011 election. Saint Bonifice MP and Parliamentary Secretary to the Finance Minister Shelly Glover and Selkirk-Interlake MP James Bezan are challenging Elections Canada and if a judge rules against them, they will be thrown out of the House of Commons.

The Duffy Affair: RCMP won't make decision public

The RCMP announced it is looking into whether it will launch a criminal investigation into the Duffy affair but added it will not make such a decision public. Assistant Commissioner of the new National Division Gilles Michaud said they are is looking at the evidence it has obtained and insists it will resist pressure from Public Safety Minister Vic Toews who was mandated to monitor and regulate its activities.

The Duffy Affair: LeBreton to ask AG to look into senate spending

Government Senate Leader Marjory LeBreton will ask the auditor general to conduct a "comprehensive" audit over senate expenses. She said she will launch the audit Tuesday and will put the entire senate under the microscope.

Liberal leader Trudeau on accountability, senate reform, constitution

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau told the Federation of Canadian Municipalities yesterday in Vancouver, the only way to restore public trust in public officials is to "raise the bar" on accountability. He also told the audience he is not in favour of the status quo in the senate and explained his stance on opening the constitution. Trudeau announced plans to announce new transparency measures in the near future.

Conservatives introduce GST to Insurance Industry

Canada's insurance industry is being forced to pay a $1 billion GST bill by the end of the month, one many companies never had to pay before. Critics say the move smacks a "banana republic." For a party that claims it is the low tax party, this government has introduced hidden tax hikes and new taxes.

Liberal MP wants party leaders to take public responsibility for ads

Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux wants future political ads to end with an approval message from their leaders, a move that would make some of Harper's personal attacks on the Liberals and NDP seem ridiculous. Imagine how powerful a message like "just visiting" or "in over his head" would be if it ended with "I'm Stephen Harper and I approve this message." The new rule would apply to all parties and will be presented in a private member's bill.

Stephen Harper on Integrity: The Robocall Scandal

What started as an isolated set of robocalls misdirecting voters in Guelph expanded to effect over 50 ridings as irregularities happened during the 2011 election campaign that gave the Conservatives their coveted majority. Did the Conservatives legitimately win the 2011 election campaign? Let's take a look at the scandal from how it unfolded.