From the comments: From the Senate loosening accountability rules to Indigenous pregnancy care, our readers discuss

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From, Senate quietly loosens financial accountability rules; critics say honour system leads to spending scandals, by Robert Fife and Laura Stone:

Well, let’s see - the Senate sits for 90 days per year, which is really the only time Senators need to be in Ottawa.

Let’s be generous and say that this requires 100 nights' accommodation in Ottawa, which means they’re allowed to spend $250 a night.

That seems perfectly reasonable to me, thus those who choose year-round tenancies or second homes should get not one penny more than that. – Michele K

The Senate is already a trough and this is a step backward.

Canada lacks an effective executive branch of government, and reform is sorely needed. What we don’t need is a patronage plum at taxpayer’s expense.

I can understand that filing detailed expense reports is a nuisance, but given the fat budget for maintaining an office it really can’t be all that onerous. – WhistlingInTheDark

In response to WhistlingInTheDark:

Agree with the original post. This is a step backward and a little bit of a middle finger so soon after all the expense scandals (including Duffy).

Having said that, I believe that the Senate can and does fulfill an important role in our democracy - it just has to stop being the extension of the ridiculously partisan House (except with lifetime terms). Appointing Senators based upon past service to Canada (not party affiliation) would be a good step. – Not the Alliance

From, In Ontario, midwives help with the rebirth of Indigenous pregnancy care, by Denise Balkissoon

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Thanks Globe and Mail for publishing this article. As a former IHS nurse working in the north, I support fully well trained Indigeneous midwifes. By well trained, I mean education in both Indigenous culture and modern midwifery. – Ews1

It would help if:

1) MDs would support rather than opposing midwifery, funding for midwifery, &

2) provincial governments would support and fund midwifery.

Absurd that midwifery is not enthusiastically supported. It is good for all people, indigenous and otherwise. – lone

From, A bus ride gone bad prompts reflections on immigration, mental health and humanity, a column by Andre Picard

A superb story and an excellent reminder to continually critique the us/them stereotypes haunting western culture. Thank you. - Molly Blyth

From, The credit-card churn secret: How to travel the world for free without ever damaging your credit score

I’m surprised that the G&M posted this article, and scared that everyone else will start doing something that I’ve done before. However, reading the comments, I see how foolish people are with comments like ‘this isn’t worth my time,’ or ‘this is barely worthwhile.’ With all the new credit cards that I’ve signed up with in the past, I’ve got a lot of free points, easily free trips to Asia and family trips to U.S. destinations. You have to be responsible and pay off your credit card too. Even if you forget to cancel, you can still cancel when you see the annual fee on your statement. The credit card companies are very forgiving in that way. - D_H

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