Welcome to Policy in 60 seconds!
In this series, we break down bills being discussed in the Senate of Canada in less than a minute!
In the spotlight for this episode is Bill C-15.
@mark-carney.bsky.social #françois-philippechampagne #senateofcanada #budget2025 #casa #cfsfcéé
📣Our weekly #blog provides an update on our policy change wins since fall 2025, including @govnb.bsky.social Youth Engagement and Young Adults (YEYA) program, and #SenateofCanada report on youth ‘aging out’ of care.
Read here ➡️ buff.ly/ZmeJt5l
#StandWithYouthInCare #Advocacy #EquitableStandards
Often, when we in the Senate do our big reports, they worry they will sit on a shelf and gather dust. BUT today, the government announced it will act on the top recommendations of our big Senate soil study, Critical Ground, and launch a national soil health strategy. #cdnpoli #SenateofCanada #soil
No. No. Nine times no! Five very smart Albertans on why we need to call out these 9 referendum questions for what they are. And why we all have a role to play in speaking out. #ableg #abpoli #AlbertaUnbound #cdnpoli #SenateofCanada
Perhaps the most consequential episode in Alberta Unbound history. Take this as a call to arms. #ableg #abpoli #Alberta #SenateofCanada #cdnpoli #Canada #immigration
A small welcome poster, on light blue paper, featuring my official Senate mug shot, below the words, “Welcome to Bon Accord Community School Senator Paula Simons.” Beside me is a cartoon of a little brown bear, the school mascot.
I’m in the middle of the small Grade 4 class. I’m wearing a purple cape and a white mask, surrounded by kids waving Canada flags.
Here I am, in the same purple top, surrounded by a split Grade 3/4 class with waving Canadian flags.
Part of the huge thank you card the kids all signed - which includes cut out of pictures they must have found of me online!
I had a magical morning at Bon Accord Community School, north of Edmonton, speaking to Grade 3 and 4 students about the role of the Senate. A small school, but a huge warm welcome! #SenateofCanada #cdnpoli #Alberta @senindepend.bsky.social
With debate on C-12 behind us, we now move on to debate on another VERY problematic bill, C-14, which will make it far harder to get bail, and lead to even more Canadians being remanded for months (and years) before trial. I spoke to the bill last night: #cdnpoli #yeg #SenateofCanada #bail
For those of you who are following Bill C-12 - third reading debate in the Senate has just begun. You can watch it here. #C12 #BillC12 #cdnpoli #immigration #CBSA #IRCC #SenateofCanada #Canada
Bill C-12 won’t save time and money.
Why?
It ignores how access to competent & ethical legal counsel:
—> REDUCES withdrawn/abandoned (WA) asylum claims
We tried this before
Harper’s DCO policy:
- triggered an 11% cost surge
- WA claims increased by 46%
#C-12
#Immigration
#SenateofCanada
Late last Thursday, I made my best effort to amend C-4 in a sensible and concrete way. I failed, alas. But here is a link to the argument I made. #cdnpoli #C4 #BillC4 #SenateofCanada
The Empirical Evidence for the Bill C-12 Debate 🧵
Many discuss the human rights risks.
My analysis complements this discussion by looking at what makes immigration procedures more or less efficient.
#C-12
#RefugeeLaw
#Immigration
#DataAnalytics
#EvidenceBasedPolicy
#SenateofCanada
Today, I was a guest on the Borderlines podcast, to talk about Bill C-12, anti immigrant rhetoric, and the role of the modern Senate when government legislation comes under fire. Here’s my conversation with B.C. immigration lawyer Deanna Okun-Nachoff. #cdnpoli #abpoli #C12 #BillC12 #SenateofCanada
Today is going to be a very interesting sitting of the Senate. (I mean. It's always interesting. I promise. But today is going to be especially so.) #cdnpoli #SenateofCanada #Canada #SenCa
Data and privacy nerds - you may be quite interested in the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs committee’s new report on Bill C-4. Some very strong recommendations from re privacy protection for Canadian voters. #SenateofCanada #lcjc #cdnpoli #Canada
The tall columns of the Senate of Canada building (formerly Union Station) tower upward, seeming to connect with the peaked corner of the Chateau Laurier hotel, which is actually across the street. A bare tree in front of the senate building cannot obscure the massive structure.
Random photo of the day: larger than life.
#photography #random #photooftheday #POTD #dailyphoto #OttawaPhotographer #Ottawa #architecture #SenateofCanada #ChateauLaurier
Footnote - for my Alberta parliamentary colleague @coreyhogan.ca and others who are interested in QP reform in the Other Place - the contrast with the way QP works in the Senate might be interesting food for thought. #cndpoli #QuestionPeriod #SenateofCanada
We are back for round two, with an absolutely amazing panel. You should watch - it will be like a great privacy rights podcast. #cdnpoli #SenateofCanada #privacy #C4 #BillC4
Ok, privacy and politics nerds. The Senate’s Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee has just begun 6 hours of hearings on the parts of Bill C-4 that deal with privacy regulations for political parties - or lack thereof. Follow along here! #cdnpoli #C4 #Canada #LCJC #privacy #SenateofCanada
Here is the text of my speech on Bill C-12, if you would prefer to read it. sencanada.ca/en/senators/... #cdnpoli #SenateofCanada #C12 #BillC12 #immigration #Alberta
ICYMI - my speech yesterday evening on Bill C-12, and the dangers of trying to placate xenophobes. #SenateofCanada #SenCa #Alberta #immigration
fYI - My exchange in committee yesterday with Justice Minister Sean Fraser about Premier Danielle Smith’s threat to withhold funding for new Alberta judges unless the province is given more input into federal appointments. #cdnpoli #LCJC #Alberta #ableg #abpoli #SenateofCanada
Have you registered yet to be a part of our Alberta Unbound live audience? Come join us this Friday! #Edmonton #yeg #ualberta #Alberta #cdnpoli #SenateOfCanada #ALES
I’m the wrong sort of Senator, I fear. #SenateofCanada
Purple-toned QR codes for Alberta Unbound: A Fine Balance on Spotify and Podbean
A headshot of EPL CEO Pilar Martinez in black and white, with a light purple banner
Better late than never! Our January episode of Alberta Unbound, an exit interview of sorts with outgoing Edmonton Public Library CEO Pilar Martinez, on the role of libraries in an age of AI slop, disinformation and book-banning. #yeg #Edmonton #AlbertaUnbound #libraries #EPL #SenateofCanada #abpoli
Exciting news. Next week, Alberta Unbound will be live! We’re recording a panel in the Tory Breezeway as part of International Week at the University of Alberta - our first live event in 5 years. Free admission. #yeg #Edmonton #ualberta #AlbertaUnbound #Alberta #cdnpoli #Canada #SenateofCanada
ICYMI - On Sunday, the CBC posted this story about my proposal for Canada to create a sovereign, stand alone verified traveller program. #cdnpoli #SenateOfCanada #SenCA
Thank you, Kim. And Bluesky-verse, please welcome and follow Kim, who is both a great Senator and a great social media communicator. #cdnpoli #SenateofCanada @senindepend.bsky.social
Why should Alberta stay in Canada? The reasons aren’t just economic or legal. I hope you will read and share my robust rebuttal to those trying to break up our country. And I hope you’ll respond. #cdnpoli #Alberta #ableg #abpoli #Canada #SenateofCanada
In June, a very special episode with the delightful young Nigerian-Canadian poet and scholar, and my former Senate staffer, Nonso Morah, the pride of Spruce Grove. #SenCa #SenateofCanada
Twin black and white head shots of David Wishart, who has a balding pate, a somewhat scruffy greying beard and retro aviator glasses, and Debby Waldman, who has shoulder length dark hair and a black scoop necked T-Shirt. The words read: Their Chemical Romance
Purple QR codes to listen to Alberta Unbound on Spotify and Podbean
Just in time for Hanukkah - and Christmas - let me introduce you to one of Edmonton’s most remarkable couples, as we talk about Métis identity, Jewish identity, Alberta identity - not to mention the meaning of metabolomics. #yeg #Edmonton #ualberta #SenateofCanada #Alberta #abpoli #ableg #NSERC
