Senator Paul J. Massicotte

This article published in The Globe and Mail on December 13, 2017, written by Senator Ratna Omidvar and I, expresses the importance of increasing diversity among corporate boards and among their executive ranks. We believe that the current measures proposed are not enough. We need more diversity. Soon, the Senate will vote on Bill C-25. The bill proposes to reform the process for electing directors of distributing corporations and co-operatives and modernize communications between corporation…

In my article titled «Bill promoting boardroom and senior management diversity lacks teeth», which appeared in the online newspaper Ricochet on December 1st, 2017, I stated that: « If Canada wants to make real progress during the next decade, the adoption of diversity policies should be made compulsory, not optional, and there should be penalties for corporations that don’t comply. » By Senator Paul Massicotte This article appeared in the independent newspaper Ricochet on December…

In 2018 Japan and Canada celebrate 90 years of diplomatic relations. The Embassy of Japan in Canada, along with 4 Consulates-General across the country, has conducted interviews with different individuals in Canada. As Co-Chair of the Canada-Japan interparliamentary association, I had the pleasure of doing one of these interviews.  We hope that these short clips can encourage the next generation of Canadians to promote Japan-Canada relations. Here is the interview they did with me. https://driv…

By Senator Paul J. Massicotte & Senator Richard Neufeld This article appeared on the National Observer on July 4th 2017 Change.  It is sometimes painful, sometimes expensive, and quite often unavoidable.  These three qualifiers certainly apply to climate change which, in turn, is forcing us to change our own habits. Indeed, a fully-committed, society-wide behavioural change will be needed to mitigate and adapt to climate change.  It may be painful and costly, but it must be done, if we are…

Senator Paul J. Massicotte This article appeared in the June 7, 2017 edition of the Hill Times. We are past debating it. Climate change is real and it’s arguably the greatest threat facing the world today. Countries have finally started taking measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But this is just a start. As part of its commitments under the 2016 Paris Agreement, the federal government has announced it will begin pricing carbon emissions in 2018 and will also need to introduce additio…

By Senator Paul Massicotte and Terry Sheehan, MP This article appeared in the June 1, 2017 edition of the Hill Times. A bilateral trade deal with Japan could mean billions of dollars for both the Canadian and Japanese economies. Given the uncertain future of trade agreements in both the Pacific region and in North America, now is the time to finalize the Canada-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). As co-chairs of the Canada–Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group, a bilateral association, we h…

This article appeared in the March 9, 2017 edition of the National Observer With the pressing reality of major climate change and its serious consequences to all, Canada has committed to eliminate 219 megatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 – a mere 13 years away. It is a very ambitious goal. To put it into perspective, we could eliminate all fossil fuel-burning vehicles from the roads, rails, waters and skies and still not meet our target.  Faced with this herculean task, the Standing…