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Statistics Canada faces backlash over its data-collecting practices, compromising ongoing and future projects that assist the processes of compiling accurate data. Analysts note that the controversy could have been averted had agency been more open about what information collects and how is such information protected to Canadians. The agency replied that survey response rate had been declining lately which forces the agency to turn to new sources to acquire information like banking information compiled by other organizations. Additionally, former Statistics Canada officials join in the debate saying that private and sensitive information is carefully protected but the federal privacy commissioner observes that any government agency that manages private information needs to put preventive measures to prevent abuse.

A group of 50 female parliamentarians have formed the Canadian Association of Feminist Parliamentarians (CAFP). Founders of the group say they know that getting parliamentary approval and funding will not be easy. Only 13 groups receive an annual budget from Parliament. The idea for the CAFP came about after a Women Political Leaders Global Forum in Iceland where the founders realized there was no current option “to work together with up-front feminist values” in Parliament. They wanted to form a group that had a clear mandate to support women’s initiatives. Parliamentary Associations promote the country’s interests abroad, operate on multilateral and bilateral levels, and are composed of members of the Senate and the House of Commons. The CAFPs members include 25 Liberals, 16 Independent Senators, 7 NDP MPs, two non-affiliated Senators and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. The group still needs to review the draft of the constitution and then file the necessary documents with the Joint Interparliamentary Council which oversees the level of funding for such groups.

The federal government is considering further restrictions on handguns and assault weapons due to escalating gun violence across the country. After public consultations, the Liberals are readying a proposal to take to cabinet in the new year. Some of the options they are considering are tougher legal obligations on gun owners and wider powers for police to suspend a gun owner’s license when there is a risk someone may be harmed. There is much public support for a gun ban in most parts of Canada, with the highest support in Quebec. On Thursday in Montreal, where the 29th anniversary of the Ecole Polytechnique massacre was marked, the Prime Minister mentioned Bill C-71 which has already been introduced in the House of Commons. This legislation would tighten some aspects of current gun laws. The mayors of Toronto and Montreal have urged Ottawa to adopt an absolute ban on handgun sales. The RCMP-led Canadian Firearms Program says there are 861,850 legally-owned handguns and another 100,000 rifles and shotguns registered to individuals in Canada as of September 30, 2018.

On Thursday, Statistics Canada reported a fall of total exports by 1.2 percent in October resulting in an increased trade deficit of a $1.2 billion, in comparison, the deficit was of $891 million during September. Notably, energy products exports fell 12.4 percent mainly due to the 15.4 percent plunge of crude oil price. Despite this unfavourable outcome, CIBC economist Katherine Judge noted the increase in export volumes as a positive indicator for manufacturing shipments and monthly GDP in her report. The Bank of Canada kept its key interest rate target unchanged due to the oil prices and the decline in business investment. Conversely exports of motor vehicles and parts increased 4.4 percent to $7.8 billion while total imports fell 0.6 percent to $50.5 billion in October.      

Education Minister Jean-François Roberge said that they plan to compensate the loss on school board by giving them money from the general fund. Opposition parties are concerned about the government ability to give the same quality of service, in this case education, with less money. Their question is, if the government has $700 million available to invest in education, why not just use it on top of the existing school taxes?

Joseph Shagra, highlights the usefulness of e-government in confronting corruption in Kuwait. This will enable transactions of all types to be done without coming in contact with people. At the 6th E-government Forum in Kuwait, which focuses on how change is managed in this digital transformation era. Also, one of the speakers in the forum states that electronic services is implemented in order for them to improve government services for the people of Kuwait and it residents. This implementation is specifically supported by political leaders and the prime minister in particular. Despite the challenges associated with e-government, all the information centers located in Kuwait are ready to work together to make the country a better place for its citizens.

This article examines the interest rate a Canadian crown corporation has seen due to the proposed Trans mountain oil pipeline expansion. In a month, $20 million was recorded by the crown corporation immediately this present government bought the pipeline and other assets for $4.5 billion from Texas energy company Kinder Morgan.  In case oil spills, the government also set aside the sum of $500 million as security deposit. However, Finance Canada does not regard the interest as a loss because another crown corporation is responsible for managing the loans and the expenses is moving between different governments organizations. Again, during the third quarter, Canada Development Investment Corporation (CDEV), the Crown Corporation that owns and operates the pipeline recorded an interest rate of $21.27 million. Apparently, permission is not granted to continue the project due to the unsure expenses and other issues to be addressed.

This article discusses the level of hate crimes among Canada’s Jewish, Muslims and black populations in Canada. It records that hate crimes have been rampant in Canada for the past four years especially in Quebec and Ontario. However, this year’s record tend to be higher than others. It also stated that the records gotten were as a result of police recording and reports from the public. Hate crimes focusing on religious groups since 2016, and 2017 led to the killing that took place in a mosque at Quebec City.  According to Statistics Canada, there were increase in violent and nonviolent crimes. However, nonviolent crimes such as public mischief, vandalism, etc have been on the increase. Even though this type of crime doesn’t have any physical hurt, it should not be neglected