Patti Sonntag

Indigenous Services ignored 18 out of 34 recommendations The audit’s findings are especially alarming in two areas: access to safe drinking water and emergency management services.

Indigenous Services Canada fails to deliver on most promises, says auditor general www.aptnnews.ca?p=278710 #indigenous #cdnpoli

Long domestic flight delay? You could be owed money.

CUPE says flight attendants are often caught in the middle — trying to calm passengers while airlines give mixed messages about compensation.

What happens when a celebrated scientist is accused of fabricating results to promote his patented product? We’ve obtained a leaked investigation report into misconduct at UBC, and we’re making the findings public for the first time.

theijf.org/ubc-misconduct


#bcpoli #science #CBC

Inside Big Tech’s playbook to halt media compensation laws Meta and Google ran public campaigns, made threats to stop serving news, struck private deals and mobilized prominent supporters to try to influence or stall laws in Brazil, Canada, Indonesia and…

We take you inside Big Tech’s playbook for fighting laws that compensate news outlets for their content. Read our investigation with other media outlets into the actions of companies like Meta and Google that run public campaigns and make threats to stop serving news.

Migrant surveillance data no longer has to remain in Canada. That has civil liberties advocates worried The Canada Border Services Agency revised a surveillance technology contract to allow foreign companies to bid on ankle monitors for migrants

Migrant surveillance data no longer has to remain in Canada. Why did Canada Border Services quietly make that change?

buff.ly/bE7x7ej

#cdnpoli

A public servant's battle with the CRA exposes cracks in how the federal system hires, fires and rehires.

A former deputy PM. A $2B pandemic federal contract. And a courtroom battle over alleged unregistered lobbying.

My latest for the IJF:

2/ This story was reported by First Nations University of Canada journalism students Brittany Boschman, Brittany Poitras, Lori Deets, Randi LaRocque, Tyrone Perreault, Jamin Mike and Hannah Scott, under the guidance of instructors Shannon Avison, myself and several others.

We are grateful to English River First Nation and the Returning Home Society for sharing their story, reported through a collaboration between First Nations University of Canada and @theijf.org

6/ Congratulations again to everyone involved in this project, and thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us

Boissonnault’s former company awarded federal contract in potential conflict of interest | Globalnews.ca Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault’s former company won a federal contract in January when he was a shareholder, potentially violating ethics laws.

5/ Krista and also @charlesrusnell.bsky.social pushed that reporting forward while I tracked Indigenous procurement programs. By fall, that resulted in two key stories: Krista’s investigation into federal contracts tinyurl.com/3tkt5fpj & my piece on Indigenous claims tinyurl.com/3e8ee99k

Federal minister’s ties to lobbyist raise ethical concerns | Globalnews.ca The lobbyist met with high-ranking ministry staffers across federal departments, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office and the office of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia ...

4/ Readers sent in tips that led us to a PPE company once owned by former MP Randy Boissonnault. @kristahessey.bsky.social joined the investigation and did great work digging into the contracts side of the story. tinyurl.com/5cdzbhbb tinyurl.com/2es95x34

Billion-dollar rapid-test contracts favoured Chinese imports over cheaper Canadian-made devices | Globalnews.ca Two COVID-19 importers participating in an initiative to help grow small Canadian businesses charged more to sell rapid tests to the federal government than Canadian manufacturers.

3/ The judges recognized the series exploring who benefits from federal contracting, which began with work with Jeff Semple examining billions in pandemic buying. Thank you to @caoff.bsky.social ‬ for backing my pitch for an investigative procurement beat & for shaping the series

How Global News’ investigation into Indigenous contracting unfolded | Globalnews.ca Reporters at Global News and researchers at First Nations University of Canada worked together to examine whether billions in federal contracts are benefitting Indigenous communities

2/ It is only the second time a university has been named. Congrats Hannah Sangster, Celeste Bird, Gokce On, ‪@lfmussalem.bsky.social Emilie Wren & ‪@catzens.bsky.social‬, led by Patricia Elliott & Pauline Dakin. ‪At Global: me, Melissa Ridgen and
‪@alexboutilier.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/mr3wja9m

Billions in federal contracts awarded to ‘Indigenous’ enterprises without verification | Globalnews.ca The Canadian government mostly relied on an honour system when it awarded billions of dollars in contracts to enterprises identifying as Indigenous.

Today is the Michener Awards ceremony, the highest honour in Canadian journalism! Excited that my work on federal procurement for @globalnews.ca is nominated, including a collaboration with researchers at First Nations University of Canada & University of King's College
tinyurl.com/38m42ur2

The real issue, a law professor said, is a legal gap that leaves the prime minister as his own judge. If the prime minister were to violate the Conflict of Interest Act, “Mark Carney gets to decide what to do about it.”

Two Canadian manufacturers and an industry group are urging the lobbying commissioner to investigate Sheila Copps’ role in discussions about possible pandemic-era contracts. One importer involved later received an estimated $2 billion in federal deals.

Thank you for the kind words! Honoured to be recognized #PressFreedom

Ottawa unveiled billions in funding days before election call — targeting millions at key Alberta ridings “It’s just yet another example of the rules of the game tilting in favour of the governing party,” professor says

The federal Liberal government unveiled billions in funding — including millions for battleground ridings in Alberta — days before it called the election.

One prof says that wasn’t fair to the opposition parties. Find out more:

theijf.org/ottawa-unvei...

Patti Sonntag

We’re thrilled to announce Patti Sonntag is joining the IJF as our eyes and ears on the ground in Ottawa! A highly decorated Canadian reporter, Patti brings extensive experience in data-driven investigations and public-interest reporting. Read the story.

buff.ly/akhqiLF

#cdnpoli #Ottawa

Former Liberal minister worked government contacts to ply COVID contracts without registering as lobbyist Former deputy PM Copps said she had permission not to register as lobbyist with the Trudeau government. One offer was flagged as suspicious.

My latest, with @christopher.bsky.social

nationalpost.com/news/politic...

This article has sparked some of the most thoughtful and nuanced responses I’ve ever received.

Carney says he resigned from 'all' his roles to run for Liberal leadership. Turns out he hasn't.

t.co/MWQJZdDCfG

'Unprecedented situation': Opposition critics say Carney's leadership bid shows need for stricter disclosure rules Opposition parties are warning that Mark Carney could become prime minister before revealing his assets or potential conflicts of interest.

My latest:

“Show Canadians where your money is”
Opposition leaders call for stricter disclosure rules

nationalpost.com/news/canada/...

Former Liberal minister Randy Boissonnault's pandemic startup banned from government contracts

nationalpost.com/news/canada/...

Alberta kept fines for 16 oilsands companies secret for three years | The Narwhal Environment Ministry ordered to release data after keeping names of 16 oilsands companies secret

I battled for three years to get this data released. Now we know the names of the 16 companies that allegedly broke rules requiring them to pay for independent environmental monitoring by scientists.

Attn all journos: Tonight after work at 7 pm ET, chat with @mtlgazette.bsky.social's @aaronderfel.bsky.social on Zoom with the CAJ

He'll tell us how he got the scoop on six deaths at a Montreal hospital and how you can bring vivid detail to reporting on your region's health-care pressures.

Randy Boissonnault stepping down from cabinet after shifting claims on Indigenous heritage The announcement came after the National Post made revelations on the minister's shifting claims to Indigenous ancestry.

Randy Boissonnault stepping down from cabinet after shifting claims on Indigenous heritage

nationalpost.com/news/randy-b...

Events - Canadian Association of Journalists

For those interested in how I got the scoop on the horrific deaths of 6 patients at a Montreal hospital that were covered up - and the action taken in response to my series - click below for more info on my Q & A this Thursday evening with the great @pattisonntag.bsky.social .
caj.ca/programs/eve...