B.C. Liberal MPs Hedy Fry, top left, and Sukh Dhaliwal, and B.C. NDP MP Kennedy Stewart. B.C. Liberal MPs Ken Hardie, above left, and Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. The Hill Times file photographs and by Shruti Shekar
B.C. Liberal MPs tout environmental measures in Trans Mountain talks with constituents, but opposition MPs say Grits to ‘absolutely’ lose support in 2019
British Columbia Liberal MPs say they're touting environmental investments and protections brought in by the Liberal government for the $7.4-billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project with constituents, with some suggesting their voters are split roughly…
New Liberal Party president says Grits have to fundraise hard to secure win in 2019
HALIFAX—New Liberal Party president Suzanne Cowan says her party will have to step up its fundraising game at the local level in order to return the Liberals to a second majority government, as the Conservatives…‘Crystal clear’ feds have jurisdiction on $7.4-billion Trans Mountain pipeline: here’s how they could ‘reinforce’ it
There’s no doubt that the federal government has authority to approve the Trans Mountain pipeline, says a pair of constitutional lawyers, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s promised legislation to “reinforce” that right could sweep aside…Politics This Morning
Your email has been added. An email has been sent to your address, please click the link inside of it to confirm your subscription.
Liberals don’t need to change fundraising strategy, focus on ridings, says fundraising director at Halifax convention
HALIFAX—The federals Liberals are currently behind the Conservatives in fundraising, but Liberal Party fundraising director Christina Topp says the party’s fundraising game plan hasn’t changed as the 2019 federal election inches closer. “The strategy has…Liberals could revert to third-party status if MPs ignore constituents’ concerns, warns rookie Grit MP
Liberals jumped from the third-party status to win a majority government in the 2015 general election, but they could easily revert to their pre-election status if Grit MPs don't reach out regularly to constituents before…Sunny Trudeau convention speech turns into attack on Scheer
HALIFAX—In a convention speech meant to fire up his party faithful before the 2019 federal election, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today touted the Liberals' progressive record and a sunnier political vision, before blasting Conservative leader…Senators still split on bringing outsiders onto new expense-audit committee, as Rules Committee study gets underway
Three years after Auditor General Michael Ferguson’s explosive investigation into Senate expenses, Senators still haven’t agreed on whether to include outsiders on a new committee to audit Senate spending. The Senate Rules Committee set to…Grits’ ‘self-inflicted wounds’ serious concern for rank and file delegates, MPs, former senior Liberals at Halifax convention
HALIFAX—It's a three-day happy gathering of about 3,000 Liberal Party faithful, but one serious concern still being talked about in the hallways and backrooms is the propensity for self-inflicted wounds by top strategists and Prime…Federal spending up two per cent, hits $276.6-billion in main estimates for 2018-19
Federal spending is up by roughly two per cent this fiscal year, reaching an estimated $276.6-billion for 2018-19, with funding for the House of Commons and the Senate up by 6.5 per cent and five…‘Challenging’ for Liberals to win all 32 Atlantic seats again in 2019, says N.S. MP Samson, party’s revving for a fight
HALIFAX—As nearly 3,000 Liberals descended on this city yesterday to attend the party’s last policy convention before the 2019 election, some Atlantic Liberal Parliamentarians said it would be tough to win all 32 seats in…B.C. Liberal MPs Hedy Fry, top left, and Sukh Dhaliwal, and B.C. NDP MP Kennedy Stewart. B.C. Liberal MPs Ken Hardie, above left, and Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. The Hill Times file photographs and by Shruti Shekar
B.C. Liberal MPs tout environmental measures in Trans Mountain talks with constituents, but opposition MPs say Grits to ‘absolutely’ lose support in 2019
British Columbia Liberal MPs say they're touting environmental investments and protections brought in by the Liberal government for the $7.4-billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project with constituents, with some suggesting their voters are split roughly…
At Grits’ convention, Conservative deputy leader Raitt says Tories targeting seats Liberals won by five per cent or less in 2015
HALIFAX—In their bid to form government in 2019, the federal Conservatives are going after ridings the governing Liberals won in close races in the last election, among other targets. [caption id="attachment_141560" align="alignleft" width="300"] Conservative deputy…What Sen. Harder really wants? A one-party state
Government Senate Leader Peter Harder made some comments regarding the Conservative Senate caucus last week that I would like to address. Sen. Harder blames Conservative Senators for delaying the legislation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s…Can the PM move Mountains?
Notwithstanding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to double down on the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline, the plan faces the same hurdles today as it did before he hauled the feuding premiers of Alberta…
Opposition MPs seek to add teeth to workplace harassment bill
A definition of harassment is among the changes a House committee agreed to Monday as it works its way through amending a government bill aimed at preventing and responding to sexual harassment and workplace violence,…Liberals pledge 10 times the money to legalize pot as they do tobacco control
With important elections looming both provincially and federally, it is natural that Canada’s health-care system will a big part of electoral discussions. One in six Canadians is a senior, and that number is expected to…Difference between a green economy and business-as-usual isn’t the economy; it’s the environment
What Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna have been saying for more than two years now is true—Canada can take action on climate change and have a strong economy.…
Cybersecurity: the biggest threat comes from within
In the last federal budget, the Liberal government announced that it would spend up to $500-million to shore up Canada’s cybersecurity defences. Details are still being ironed out, but the majority of the money will…Russia rightly on G7 foreign ministers’ agenda this weekend in Toronto
Patience with Russia for many Western states is running out. This mood may have repercussions at the G7 foreign ministers' meeting being held on April 22 to 23 in Toronto, ahead of the G7 summit…Canada should change course on Russian relations, say critics
Canada should reassess its approach to Russia, say opposition critics who accuse the federal government of not having a plan and taking cues from the international community rather than leading the way. On March 26, the…
Seniors’ issues shouldn’t be in ‘silo,’ says health minister facing calls for national strategy
Advocates and politicians are calling on the Trudeau government to take a leadership role in improving the lives of seniors, saying more program co-ordination is needed for citizens over 65, but Health Minister Ginette Petitpas…Agriculture minister most lobbied in February as trade, grain shipments topped industry interests
Lobbyists targeted Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay three times as often as his nearest cabinet colleague in February, as industry groups pushed trade interests and raised the alarm about a “crisis” in grain shipments, according to…Canadian Securities Administrators prepare report on climate disclosure as advocates push for new reporting requirements for businesses
The national body of securities regulators is releasing a much-anticipated report next month on companies disclosing the financial risk they face from climate change, as calls grow from industry and advocates for more fulsome accounting…
Rachel Doran exits PMO for top job with Indigenous Services Minister Philpott
Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott has a new chief of staff lined up to run her office, with Rachel Doran coming in from the Prime Minister’s Office on April 16 to begin transitioning into her…
Canadian actress Sandra Oh tells Jimmy Kimmel about the time she met Justin Trudeau
During a TV appearance on NBC’S Jimmy Kimmel Live, Canadian actress Sandra Oh called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a "very down to earth" person. “When you’re preparing to see Justin Trudeau are people swooning in advance?” host…
Ex-Hill staffer and wife to Conservative minister, Donna Richardson Duncan, dies of cancer
Former Hill staffer Donna Richardson Duncan died on April 11 after a battle with cancer, at the age of 55. She was married to former Conservative cabinet minister John Duncan. She also used to be…
‘Stan walked in and greeted me warmly, his brown eyes twinkled as he took a seat’
Arthur Street runs east to west in a long, straight ribbon through the downtown area of the Fort William region of Thunder Bay. Arthur Street is devoid of charm—it’s a stretch of drive-thru restaurants, gas…
Families Minister Duclos promotes new policy director after Mathieu Laberge departs
Families, Children, and Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos has a new director of policy in his office following the recent departure of Mathieu Laberge from the role. Up until the beginning of this month, Mr.…‘We’re not immune’ on the Hill: Sen. Bernard launches Senate debate on anti-Black racism
An Independent Senator launching a debate in the Senate on anti-Black racism nationally and on Parliament Hill says recent accusations of racism against a fellow Black Parliamentarian who called others out for denying that systemic…
Garneau affirms commitment to space industry, defends Bill C-49 as critics say it’s too wide-ranging
Aviation may not be the most hot-button topic in federal politics today but it's one that has repercussions for multiple files including public safety, innovation, and the environment. As a recent report by the Canadian…
Federal health agencies failing on Indigenous reconciliation, external review finds
A recent external review commissioned by Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor found the government’s arm's-length pan-Canadian health organizations to be laggards when it comes to engaging with Indigenous groups and communities, something the minister says…
Pakistan celebrates national day in Ottawa as MPs, Senators prepare to see country for themselves
Close to 300 diplomats and senior officials came to celebrate Pakistan’s national day celebration at the Chateau Laurier, just before a group of MPs and Senators set out for Pakistan to foster closer ties. On…
‘We’ve got things moving,’ AFN national chief Bellegarde touts new federal money in re-election pitch
Assembly of First Nations national chief Perry Bellegarde, who's running for re-election in July 2018, says he's the best person to continue the unprecedented momentum right now in Crown-First Nations relations, despite some criticism that's…Transport bill sent back to House with air passenger rights amendments
As observers anxiously await the passage of Bill C-49, the Senate sent the omnibus piece of legislation back to the House for approval in March, noting the proposed amendments will improve passengers’ rights and increase…
Politics This Morning
Your email has been added. An email has been sent to your address, please click the link inside of it to confirm your subscription.
OTTAWA—Thousands of Liberals from across the country will descend on Halifax this weekend to plan their path to a potential electoral victory. It will be the final national meeting in advance of the next election…
OTTAWA—Right now, Justin Trudeau has a deal problem. Specifically, the prime minister hasn’t really closed a significant major trade or pipeline project of his making thus far in his mandate. Even his climate change plan…
OTTAWA—Politics can be a four-letter word. Last week that word was ugly. Political disputes between Alberta and British Columbia and the opening salvos of the Ontario election left most spectators wondering how low politics could…
OTTAWA—On the evening of July 25, 2010, an oil pipeline owned by Enbridge Inc. ruptured near Marshall, Mich. During the 17 hours it took for the company to turn off the flow, more than three…
OAKVILLE, ONT.—One of today’s stark political realities is that any politician in the world who espouses a “centre-left” brand of socialism is a potential victim of a populist backlash. Indeed, in the last few years…
OTTAWA—On Saturday, April 7, I awoke to catch a breaking story on CTV’s news channel. It was being reported that a chemical weapons attack had been perpetrated in a rebel-held town in Syria. A veteran…The Hill Times in print
Politics This Morning: PM to attend QP; Sohi to make infrastructure announcement in Toronto; Petitpas Taylor to mark national immunization awareness week in Toronto; Parliamentary Centre to celebrate its 50th anniversary
It’s Monday! After whirlwind trips to Peru, France, and the U.K. last week, followed by the Liberal Party’s weekend national policy convention in Halifax, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is back in Ottawa today and is…Indigenous Services Minister Philpott’s chief of staff poised to depart
Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott’s chief of staff, John Brodhead, is set to exit the minister’s team at the end of April. Mr. Brodhead addressed his impending departure in a Facebook post on April 11,…Perreault promoted to PMO lead speechwriter after Armstrong departs for Morneau’s office
Brittany Perreault has been promoted to be senior manager of speechwriting in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office, taking charge of the team previously headed by Jeni Armstrong. Former lead speechwriter Ms. Armstrong left the Prime…Donner Prize announces finalists for best public policy books
Five finalists have been shortlisted for this year’s 20th anniversary Donner Prize award, which recognizes the best public policy book by a Canadian author. This year’s shortlist was selected from 78 submissions and the winner…Ambrose’s ex-chief of staff lands new Queen Street job
Garry Keller, the former chief of staff to interim Conservative Party leader Rona Ambrose, has taken up a new job as a vice-president at government relations firm StrategyCorp. “Really pleased to be joining the excellent…Inaugural Women on the Hill shindig draws 500, and MPs from all parties
The inaugural Women on the Hill event, hosted by Earnscliffe Strategy Group's Velma McColl at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building last Monday night, attracted nearly 500 guests who mingled, networked, and celebrated a belated International…MPs hit the red carpet at Canadian Screen Awards in Toronto
TORONTO—Eight Members of Parliament and ministers donned their best tuxedo or gown on March 11 to walk the red carpet at the Canadian Screen Awards. Toronto-area MPs were out in full force at the star-studded…Argentine envoy ‘confident’ Canada-Mercosur deal will wrap quickly
The second round of trade negotiations between Canada and Mercosur countries will be held in June in Brazil, says the new Argentine ambassador, adding that despite a few areas of concern, the four-country South American…Australia’s new top envoy says her ‘focus is firmly on the future’ of CPTPP
Australia’s new high commissioner says officials from her country signalling they would block Canada’s admission to Asia’s top security forum, the East Asia Summit, had nothing to do with tensions that bubbled up when Canada…Wynne speaks at Canada Club of Toronto on Monday; new Power & Politics host Vassy Kapelos hosts a meet & greet on Tuesday
This hockey stick rested against the doors of the House of Commons in Centre Block during Question Period on April 17, in memory of the 16 Humboldt Broncos players and personnel who died when the junior hockey team's bus collided with a semi-trailer in northeastern Saskatchewan on April 6. Canadians have taken to putting a hockey stick outside their front door in remembrance, and posting photos of it on social media. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew MeadeAnnual Features
Hill Times Slideshows
