Joanna Smith
TorontoStar
Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Past articles by Joanna:
What is gender-based analysis, anyway? How the policy tool is changing government in Canada
Gender-based analysis is not new, but it has been receiving more attention since the Liberal government brought it into its budget-making process and has been pushing it across all departments and agencies. → Read More
Attorney general can order remediation agreements in ‘very rare circumstances,’ says Lametti
The question of who has the final say on whether a company facing criminal trials should be offered a remediation agreement was at the heart of the SNC-Lavalin affair. → Read More
Wealth of Canadians divided along racial lines, says report on income inequality
The report suggests Canadians who identify as visible minorities do not have the same access to investments and other sources of wealth as non-racialized people. → Read More
Speech from the throne steeped in tradition, but this year brings new changes
OTTAWA — The opening of Parliament is steeped in centuries-old traditions, but this year some new elements — including a renovated train station and an astronaut — are bringing a modern touch to the ceremonies. The speech from the throne marks the beginning of every new Parliament, which comes after a general election, as is … → Read More
Abortions rights advocates urge Liberals to turn politics into policy
Trudeau campaigned for re-election on a promise to support abortion rights. Now advocates are anxious to see the Liberals turn those words into action. → Read More
Abortions rights advocates urge Liberals to turn politics into policy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau campaigned for re-election on a promise to support abortion rights, a stance that put his Conservative rival on the defensive, and now advocates are anxious to see the Liberals turn those words into action → Read More
In meeting with Trudeau, Bloc leader warns against counting on party to support western demands
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet, in his meeting with the prime minister, said anyone seeking more independence for the West in hopes of promoting the oil and gas sector shouldn’t come to him for advice. → Read More
Canada has shown ‘uneven progress’ on gender equality, says new report
The shadow report from more than 50 NGOs says there is still a persistent gender gap when it comes to economic security, even though women now outnumber men when it comes to completing some form of post-secondary education. → Read More
Trudeau defends record on Indigenous issues, as stump speech mentions are brief
HAMILTON - Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is defending his record on Indigenous issues, which have received precious little attention in a 40-day federal election campaign that is nearly over. Trudeau's successful 2015 election bid was based in part on Trudeau's promises to repair the government's relationship with First Nations, Metis and Inuit in Canada and move forward with reconciliation. → Read More
State has no place in the wardrobes of the nation: Trudeau
WHITBY, Ont. - Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is refusing to say whether he thinks the Quebec secular... → Read More
Trudeau sidesteps questions about Obama endorsement
TROIS-RIVIÈRES, Que. - Justin Trudeau would not say Thursday whether his team asked former U.S. president Barack Obama to endorse his bid to remain prime minister, which came as the Liberals fight hard to convince progressive voters to stick with them. → Read More
Re-elected Liberal government would stand up for abortion rights in N.B., Trudeau says
Trudeau said he would sit down with New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs to remind him that his province has an obligation to fund out-of-hospital abortions — and of the fact that Ottawa has the power to enforce such requirements under the Canada Health Act. → Read More
Trudeau says threat to his safety comes at time of online polarization and hate
The prime minister would not comment specifically on the nature of the threat saying his campaign was following RCMP advice on Saturday night. → Read More
Trudeau says threat to his safety grows from online polarization and hate
TORONTO - Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said the security threat that forced him to wear a bullet-pr... → Read More
Don't let 'political correctness' erase Canadian history, Scheer says
OTTAWA - Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer says Canadian history should be honoured and celebrated — warts and all. "I believe Canada's history should always be celebrated," Scheer said Monday morning in Ottawa during an announcement that also included a promise to eliminate admission fees at all nine national museums across the country. → Read More
Scheer says he is personally 'pro-life,' but would not reopen abortion debate
OTTAWA - Andrew Scheer says he is personally against abortion, but promised again Thursday that a Conservative government under his leadership would not reopen the debate. His political rivals pushed the Conservative leader to clarify his stance on abortion at the French-language debate hosted by private television network TVA on Wednesday night, demanding to know whether he is personally in… → Read More
Scheer, Trudeau talk platforms, firearms in Toronto; Singh stays out west
OTTAWA - The federal Liberal election platform is out, and it's brimming with talking points not only for Justin Trudeau, but for his political rivals as well. There's billions in new spending — $57 billion worth, according to Conservative math — to be financed in part by new taxes on the wealthy, large international corporations, foreign housing speculators and tech giants. → Read More
Party leaders contend with posts and past lives from candidates in campaign
OTTAWA - The federal party leaders have spent the first days of the election campaign talking policy... → Read More
High profile could help Jody Wilson-Raybould keep her seat away from Liberals
Jody Wilson-Raybould is now an Independent, and political observers say her prominence and history in the riding give her a greater chance at victory than is usually the case for those running without a political party machine. → Read More
Liberals gear up to take on former star Jody Wilson-Raybould in Vancouver riding
The Liberals now have a candidate in the British Columbia riding of Vancouver Granville, where their biggest rival will be someone they once called their own. → Read More