Democracy Watch

The interim commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police is asking the province's ombudsman to investigate the appointment of Premier Doug Ford's family friend to the force's top job.

Canadians may have difficulty finding out how governments are allowing industry to explore, alter or remove resources from publicly-owned land, new research has revealed.

In his first speech to the House of Commons on Monday, new Conservative leader Andrew Scheer said his cues will come from Canada's soccer fields, legion halls and grocery stores.

"It doesn't pass the smell test," said lawyer Jason Gratl, who is representing the groups alleging corporate influence.

The celebrity businessman, who has now entered the Conservative leadership race, may be hoping to ride the same wave of rhetoric to victory as Donald Trump, say experts.

The notion the Liberals would even raise the possibility of a ministerial override alarmed the British Columbia Freedom of Information and Privacy Association: "We think this is a bad idea."

Democracy Watch's warning comes two days after a CN Rail ad promoting its efforts to held Syrian refugees in Canada featured cabinet ministers John McCallum and Jane Philpott.