Alex Robinson
@alexmrobinson.bsky.social
đ€ 537
đ„ 924
đ 72
Public service editor for
@ottawacitizen.com
. Send tips on Signal to alexrobinson.01
Subscribe to the Ottawa Citizen and read the latest scoop by
@davidpugliese.bsky.social
:
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Canadian military will rely on an army of public servants to boost its ranks by 300,000
Federal public servants would be trained to shoot guns, drive trucks and fly drones, according to a defence department directive.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/defence-watch/canadian-military-public-servants
2 days ago
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The federal public service is set to shed almost 30,000 jobs by 2028-29.
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Feds to shed almost 30,000 public service jobs: Budget 2025
Economists say the Liberal government's projected cuts could rival those of former prime minister Stephen Harper.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/public-service-job-cuts-budget-2025
8 days ago
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Alex Robinson
Ottawa Citizen
9 days ago
Introducing the Ottawa Citizen Best Public Service Workplaces 2025. We've ranked 84 federal departments and agencies from best to worst. Find out how they stack up here:
ottawacitizen.com/tag/best-pub...
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Read the latest scoop by
@davidpugliese.bsky.social
:
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Canadian military wants mobilization plan in place to boost reserves to 400,000 personnel
Mobilization plan would see Canadian Forces reserves increased to 400,000
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/defence-watch/canadian-military-wants-mobilization-plan-in-place-to-boost-reserves-to-400000-personnel
12 days ago
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reposted by
Alex Robinson
Nicholas Kohler
20 days ago
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Venerable Glebe Video to close after 40 years, one rental shop remains
Long housed on Bank Street, Glebe Video was known for classic, highbrow films. Movies 'n Stuff in Alta Vista is now the last game in Ottawa.
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/glebe-video-closing?tbref=hp
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Canadaâs largest public sector union has put one of its component unions under trusteeship after complaints about its president.
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Union of National Employees put under trusteeship amid complaints about president
The union, which represents 27,000 workers, will be put under trusteeship partly due to complaints about president Alisha Kang.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/union-of-national-employees-administration-president-alisha-kang
18 days ago
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Read the latest scooooop by
@matteocimellaro.bsky.social
:
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Union of National Employees may be put under 'administration' amid complaints about president
PSAC will vote Friday on whether to take the step, partly due to a "number of complaints" involving UNE president Alisha Kang.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/union-of-national-employees-administration-alisha-kang
20 days ago
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Coming public service cuts will disproportionately impact workers who are women, indigenous, racialized or live with disabilities, according to a new analysis by
@policyalternatives.ca
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Cuts will impact women and racialized public servants disproportionately, new analysis says
An estimated 59 per cent of the workers cut will be women, according to a new analysis by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/cuts-public-servants-women-indigenous-racialized-disability-diversity
23 days ago
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Alex Robinson
David Pugliese
23 days ago
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
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DND official lambasts western leaders for anti-U.S. comments
Raquel Garbers accused western leaders of helping Russia and China with their âabsurd anti-United States narratives.â
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/defence-watch/dnd-official-u-s-trump-raquel-garbers
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The supervisor appointed by the provincial government to run Ottawa's public school board says it's not "in his mandate" to speak to the press.
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OCDSB supervisor says media interviews are not his mandate
Bob Plamondon has released only two public statements since the province took over the board on June 27 and he was appointed supervisor.
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/ocdsb-supervisor-media-interviews-mandate
27 days ago
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Alex Robinson
Apoorva Mandavilli
about 1 month ago
The mass layoffs of federal workers on Friday night swept up the top two leaders of the federal measles response team, those working on Ebola and dozens of other infectious disease experts (Gift article)
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/h...
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C.D.C. Layoffs Included 2 Top Measles Experts Amid Rising Cases
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/health/cdc-layoffs-measles.html?unlocked_article_code=1.sk8.x-YN.Q_Vj1W7ujmHV&smid=url-share
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The head of the federal government's new Major Projects Office will earn a salary between $577,000 and $679,000 a year, according to an order in council issued last week.
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Head of new Major Projects Office to make north of $577K | CBC News
The head of the federal government's new Major Projects Office will earn a salary between $577,000 and $679,000 a year, according to an order in council issued last week.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/head-of-major-projects-office-salary-1.7625597
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Alex Robinson
Ottawa Citizen
about 1 month ago
Look up: Military drones to be tested over downtown Ottawa
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
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Look up: Military drones to be tested over downtown Ottawa
The Canadian Forces will be using downtown Ottawa to test new technologies to track mini-drones in an urban setting.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/defence-watch/military-drones-tested-downtown-ottawa
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reposted by
Alex Robinson
Ottawa Citizen
about 2 months ago
What moving from Montreal to Ottawa taught me about two very different cities
ottawacitizen.com/life/moving-...
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What moving from Montreal to Ottawa taught me about two very different cities
If Ottawa has taught me anything so far, itâs that what seems predictable can still surprise you, provided you know where to look.
https://ottawacitizen.com/life/moving-to-ottawa-from-montreal
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Alex Robinson
Ottawa Citizen
about 2 months ago
How public servants can use AI responsibly
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
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How public servants can use AI responsibly
A former Chief Human Resource Officer explains the risks of using AI in the federal government.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/public-servants-ai-artificial-intelligence-government
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reposted by
Alex Robinson
Luke LeBrun
about 2 months ago
I did a deep-dive into Ben Mulroney's extracurricular activities: At the same time as Mulroney is filling-in as host of The West Block, he is also working for two registered lobby groups and as an adviser to several companies â some of whose CEOs he's interviewed on Global News 640 Toronto radio
add a skeleton here at some point
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DND originally told us that its F-35 review would be done by the end of summer. According to the department, that meant Sept. 22. Well, as of 2:19 p.m. yesterday, it's fall. Still no word on what the review found or if it's even been finalized yet. Read more in
@davidpugliese.bsky.social
's latest:
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Deadline comes and goes with no release of DND F-35 report
Deadline passes for release of F-35 report as Canadian government offers no explanation.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/defence-watch/deadline-dnd-f-35-report
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Alex Robinson
Ottawa Citizen
about 2 months ago
U.S. warns Canada of potential negative consequences if it dumps F-35 fighter jet
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
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U.S. warns Canada of potential negative consequences if it dumps F-35 fighter jet
The review of Canada's proposed purchase of 88 U.S.-built F-35s is set to be finalized by Sept. 22.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/defence-watch/us-warns-canada-f-35-fighter-jet
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reposted by
Alex Robinson
ProPublica
2 months ago
When
@fastlerner.bsky.social
reported in April that the EPA was going to stop collecting greenhouse gas emissions data from most polluters, it wouldn't admit it was eliminating the requirements. Today it announced the change, saying it's "cutting unnecessary red tape" & "unleashing American energy."
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Trumpâs EPA Plans to Stop Collecting Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data From Most Polluters
Climate experts expressed shock and dismay at the move. âIt would be a bit like unplugging the equipment that monitors the vital signs of a patient that is critically ill,â one said.
https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-epa-greenhouse-gas-reporting-climate-crisis
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"What the two major political parties share is the unwillingness to confront the unpleasant realities of involuntary layoffs. Both have been peddling the illusion that attrition will painlessly deliver the smaller workforce to which they aspire." - Michael Wernick in FP this morning
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Michael Wernick: Caught between denial and dogma, here's a better way to downsize the public service
Unions need to admit layoffs are coming and the government should admit it needs to proactively shape the future workforce. Keep reading.
https://financialpost.com/fp-work/public-service-layoffs-done-better-way?tbref=hp
2 months ago
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OpenAI is trying to ague that an Ontario court doesn't have jurisdiction to hear a lawsuit by Canadian media companies that accuse the firm of breaching copyright by scraping large amounts of content:
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OpenAI argues Canadian news publishersâ lawsuit should be heard in U.S.
OpenAI is set to argue in an Ontario court today that a copyright lawsuit filed by Canadian news publishers involving its ChatGPT generative AI system should be heard in a U.S. courtroom instead. A coalition of Canadian news outlets which includes The Canadian Press, Torstar, The Globe and Mail, Postmedia and CBC/Radio-Canada is suing OpenAI [âŠ]
https://toronto.citynews.ca/2025/09/10/openai-argues-canadian-news-publishers-lawsuit-should-be-heard-in-u-s/
2 months ago
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A new Nanos poll found 62% of Canadians were at least somewhat supportive of removing tariffs on Chinese EVs:
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Ottawa considering scrapping tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles
If Canadians were in the driverâs seat, tariffs imposed by Ottawa on Chinese electric vehicles (EV) would have an easier road to the Canadian market.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/autos/article/ottawa-considering-scrapping-tariffs-on-chinese-electric-vehicle-tariffs/
2 months ago
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reposted by
Alex Robinson
Ottawa Citizen
2 months ago
What the public service risks losing in a full return to the office
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
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What the public service risks losing in a full return to the office
A former executive from the federal public service writes that one-size-fits-all approaches rarely work.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/public-servants-full-return-to-office
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reposted by
Alex Robinson
Ottawa Citizen
2 months ago
Feds give CRA 100 days to fix call-centre debacle
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
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Feds give CRA 100 days to fix call-centre debacle
Officials confirmed the CRA will not be given additional funding to improve services.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/feds-100-days-cra-call-centres
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reposted by
Alex Robinson
Ottawa Citizen
3 months ago
Feds to spend $71 billion on public servants' salaries, other costs this fiscal: PBO
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
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Feds to spend $71 billion on public servants' salaries, other costs this fiscal: PBO
The increase in personnel spending came despite a shrinking federal public service.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/public-servants-salaries-pbo
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reposted by
Alex Robinson
Ottawa Citizen
3 months ago
Could government watchdogs have to do more with less despite being exempt from spending review?
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
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Could government watchdogs have to do more with less despite being exempt from spending review?
While such offices will be spared by the spending review, some observers say it might mean requests for funding may go unfulfilled.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/ombuds-left-with-backlogs-amid-spending-reviews
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Alex Robinson
Christopher Nardi
3 months ago
When the results of the latest Public Service Employment Survey landed on Dan Rogersâ desk earlier this year, the new head of Canadaâs spy agency was angry. No matter how he looked at them, the results for CSIS were bleak and clear: there is a leadership trust crisis
nationalpost.com/news/politic...
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Canada's spy agency has a leadership trust crisis. The new boss says that's unacceptable
Earlier this year, new CSIS director noted that trust in senior leadership is low, the amount of red tape is seen as too high and less than half of surveyed employees would recommend working at CSIS.
https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/canadas-spy-agency-has-a-leadership-trust-crisis-the-new-boss-says-thats-unacceptable?itm_source=index
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Alex Robinson
David Pugliese
3 months ago
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
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Path cleared for Canada to take part in Trumpâs 'Golden Dome' missile shield
Canadian officials told their American counterparts that roadblock's to joining Trump's Golden Dome missile defence system had been lifted.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/defence-watch/canada-trump-golden-dome-missile-shield
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reposted by
Alex Robinson
Ottawa Citizen
3 months ago
Meet the 24-year-old Ottawa software engineer who runs a MAGA bot
ottawacitizen.com/news/ottawa-...
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Meet the 24-year-old Ottawa software engineer who runs a MAGA bot
The bots were created to flood X with pro-MAGA messages, attracting attention from Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/ottawa-man-ai-bot-maga
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reposted by
Alex Robinson
Ottawa Citizen
3 months ago
Deachman: The ByWard Market is both beautiful and broken
ottawacitizen.com/news/byward-...
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Deachman: The ByWard Market is both beautiful and broken
Curious to see how the Market changes during the day and night, Bruce Deachman wandered its streets and alleyways for 24 consecutive hours.
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/byward-market-24-hours
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Alex Robinson
David Pugliese
4 months ago
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
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Military commander steps down as investigation into Cameron Highlanders social media posts continues
Military commander steps down as investigation into Cameron Highlanders social media posts continues
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/defence-watch/commander-resigns-cameron-highlanders
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Alex Robinson
Carrie Tait
4 months ago
Hi, yes, g'morning. This is awkward. But targeting a reporter - hi! - with surreptitiously obtained photos and details of her tooling around town is an attack on the public's right to know.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
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Globe and Mail reporter targeted by online campaign, photographed surreptitiously in public settings
An anonymous X account posted photos of Alberta reporter Carrie Tait and described her movements as she reported on a health authority controversy
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-globe-and-mail-reporter-targeted-by-online-campaign-photographed/
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Alex Robinson
Ottawa Citizen
4 months ago
Will the retirement age ever drop for new public servants?
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
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Will the retirement age ever drop for new public servants?
Government workers hired after 2013 canât retire with a full pension until 60. An expert explains why and what you can do now.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/retirement-age-new-public-servants
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Late last year, the federal government banned public servants from accessing certain streaming services like Netflix on work devices. Internal documents show DND was the department with the highest volume of streaming in Sept. 2024 at over 3 terabytes. PSPC was second and the PCO was third:
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Government blocked streaming sites for public servants as a 'people management issue,' documents show | CBC News
Although streaming services like Netflix and Prime weren't straining the government's network bandwidth, federal officials decided to block them because they were perceived to be a "people management"...
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/netflix-block-government-1.7585627
4 months ago
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A former Afghan interpreter detailed how she allegedly suffered sexual abuse by a Global Affairs employee shortly after she came to Canada at the age of 17.
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Former Afghan interpreter details alleged sexual abuse by Global Affairs employee | CBC News
Clutching a teddy bear and trembling through her story in the witness box, a female former Afghan interpreter who worked for Canada in Afghanistan detailed the harrowing sexual abuse she allegedly suf...
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/afghan-interpeter-testimony-sexual-abuse-1.7588655
4 months ago
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The commanding officer of the Cameron Highlanders has been temporarily removed as the Canadian Army investigates a Facebook group, where the unit's members allegedly posted hateful content.
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Cameron Highlanders top officer removed in wake of Blue Hackle Mafia controversy
The Canadian Army launched an investigation into the alleged conduct of any currently serving members that were part of the Facebook group.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/defence-watch/cameron-highlanders-top-officer-removed-facebook-group
4 months ago
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reposted by
Alex Robinson
Ottawa Citizen
4 months ago
Cap or cuts? Public servants have 40,000 reasons to worry
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
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Cap or cuts? Public servants have 40,000 reasons to worry
A former federal director general explains what $13B in savings could mean for job reductions across departments and what public servants should watch for in the months ahead.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/cap-cuts-public-servants-worry
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott won't release his emails with Elon Musk to ProPublica because they contain âintimate and embarrassingâ information.
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Texas Governorâs Office Says Its Emails With Elon Musk May Be, in Part, Too âEmbarrassingâ to Release to the Public
We asked Abbott for his and his staffâs emails with Elon Musk and Muskâs companies. The governorâs office wonât turn them over, saying some contain âintimate and embarrassingâ information that is ânot...
https://www.propublica.org/article/texas-governor-greg-abbott-elon-musk-emails-foia
4 months ago
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Alex Robinson
Ottawa Citizen
4 months ago
'The world waits for no one': The Michael Sabia era begins for the public service
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
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'The world waits for no one': The Michael Sabia era begins for the public service
The new clerk of the Privy Council, Michael Sabia, laid out his vision in an open letter to public servants on his first day on the job.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/michael-sabia-era-public-service-letter
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Alex Robinson
David Pugliese
4 months ago
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
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Ottawa soldiers under investigation for Facebook group filled with hate speech and nude photos in uniform
A Facebook group run by soldiers in an Ottawa regiment shared antisemitic slurs, nude photos and rape jokes for years.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/defence-watch/canadian-soldiers-investigation-explicit-photos
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Alex Robinson
Ottawa Citizen
5 months ago
Ottawa bakeries make the Montreal-style bagel tradition their own
ottawacitizen.com/feature/mont...
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Ottawa bakeries make the Montreal-style bagel tradition their own
It depends what you want. Kettlemans, Bagelshop, Bobino and Cadmans all use the Montreal-style label, but you won't get the same kind
https://ottawacitizen.com/feature/montreal-style-bagel-ottawa
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Alex Robinson
Sofia Misenheimer
4 months ago
Gnocchi topped with gravy and curds sounds like a faux pas(ta), but Parma Ravioli makes one of the best poutines Iâve had in Ottawa, and that means something coming from a former Montrealer.
add a skeleton here at some point
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Alex Robinson
Ottawa Citizen
4 months ago
NCC pulls freedom-of-information records from website after language watchdog says they must be in French and English
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
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NCC pulls freedom-of-information records from website after language watchdog says they must be in French and English
The official languages commissioner had recommended the NCC translate the documents by August.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/ncc-freedom-of-information-records-language-commissioner-french-english
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Internal documents reveal a close relationship between the Ford government and Enbridge.
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How Enbridge Gas and Ontario discuss the future of power | The Narwhal
Internal documents lay out the close relationship between Enbridge Gas and the Ford government, as it plans an energy future pinned to natural gas
https://thenarwhal.ca/enbridge-gas-ontario-future/
4 months ago
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Alex Robinson
David Coletto
4 months ago
New polling on the Carney governmentâs performance and priorities: Mark Carneyâs Seven Priorities: Setting Up a Report Card on Alignment, Impact, and Perceived Progress - Abacus Data
abacusdata.ca/mark-carneys...
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Mark Carneyâs Seven Priorities: Setting Up a Report Card on Alignment, Impact, and Perceived Progress - Abacus Data
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https://abacusdata.ca/mark-carneys-seven-priorities-setting-up-a-report-card-on-alignment-impact-and-perceived-progress/
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reposted by
Alex Robinson
Ottawa Citizen
4 months ago
'Worst cuts to the public service in modern history' could be on the horizon, says report
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
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'Worst cuts to the public service in modern history' could be on the horizon, says report
A new report found that if Carney follows through with his campaign promises, cuts could amount to 24 per cent across the public service.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/worst-cuts-to-the-public-service-in-modern-history-could-be-on-the-horizon-says-report
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reposted by
Alex Robinson
Ottawa Citizen
4 months ago
âWe believed in herâ: An 11-month fight to hire one public servant
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
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âWe believed in herâ: An 11-month fight to hire one public servant
A former public service executive says hiring barriers and benefit clawbacks undermine inclusion across departments.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/public-servants-disabilities-barriers
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The Canadian Medical Association Journal has called for Canada to strengthen disease tracking systems as it canât rely on the U.S. any more.
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Canada faces crisis in communicable disease, can no longer rely on U.S. for data: CMAJ
Canada and other countries once relied on work done in the U.S. to track infectious diseases, until they gutted their public health institutions.
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/canada-faces-crisis-in-communicable-disease-can-no-longer-rely-on-u-s-for-data-cmaj?tbref=hp
4 months ago
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reposted by
Alex Robinson
Adam Radwanski
5 months ago
Iâve spent a lot of time lately trying to understand the capacity of the federal government - particularly the bureaucracy - to meet the moment and implement Mark Carneyâs agenda, and what could be done to improve it. Hereâs (some of) what I came away with.
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
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How Michael Sabia can make Ottawa move fast and build things
Canadaâs top bureaucrat is expected to light a fire under a federal public service accustomed to moving more slowly than the moment demands
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-michael-sabia-carney-ottawa-civil-service/
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reposted by
Alex Robinson
Ottawa Citizen
5 months ago
Language watchdog calls out public service management over survey results
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
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Language watchdog calls out public service management over survey results
One in five public servants report that senior managers don't always use both official languages in their interactions with staff.
https://ottawacitizen.com/public-service/official-languages-commissioner-superisors-survey
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