Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, pictured Dec. 4, 2019, is under the microscope as his office had a budget of $200,000 last year but filed expenses worth $900,000. Conservative MPs and the national council members want to know the specifics, but so far say they're not getting straight answers from the Conservative Fund. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Senior Conservatives seething over Conservative Fund’s refusal to share Scheer’s $700,000 over-budget expense details with national council
'If you're a donor, why would you want to give money if you can't get straight answers on what the hell's going on?’ says veteran Conservative political insider Tim Powers.
‘No question’ feds have duty to start talks, says AFN’s Bellegarde, after days-long demonstrations in support of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs
One Mohawk scholar who experienced the 1990 Oka Crisis firsthand says Ottawa's offer to meet with protesters shows 'they’ve lost control of the situation, to a certain extent.'Down 20 rural seats, Liberals go back to the well on gun control
Rural Liberals warned that the government’s gun control policies could cost them their seat. Many of them didn’t make it past the election. Politics This Morning
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Conservative Party to protect all 121 incumbent MPs from nomination challenges until June 2021
Conservative MP Stephanie Kusie wants the national council to protect all caucus members from nomination challenges until the next election so they can focus on their parliamentary work in Ottawa.Trade Committee Conservatives push for six additional House committees to study new NAFTA implementation bill
Committees would have to submit amendments for Bill C-4 to the House Committee on International Trade by April 2. House Finance Committee chair warns against big budget spending, as consultations wrap
A new government bill is coming, the Finance Committee is pulling together its pre-budget report, and a Senate committee could be struck to pre-study the CUSMA trade bill.Oka Crisis veteran says feds have ‘lost control’ of country-wide solidarity protest in support of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs
One Mohawk scholar who personally witnessed the 1990 Oka Crisis says Ottawa's offer to meet with protesters shows 'they’ve lost control of the situation, to a certain extent.'Canadian released from Turkish prison recounts ‘nightmare’ of three-year ordeal
Davud Hanci was sentenced to 15 years years in a Turkish prison for his alleged involvement in the 2016 coup. Now back in Canada, he’s speaking about the ‘madness’ of his arrest and nearly three years in jail.Parole officers still floundering from Harper budget cuts, says union head supporting Tory parole board motion
The Conservative opposition motion condemning the decision made by the Parole Board of Canada that led to Marylène Levesque’s death passed unanimously in the House on Feb. 5. Foreign troop deployment at traditionally low levels in Africa amid Security Council campaign
Canada currently has 120 Canadian Force members deployed to Africa, down from 427 members that were deployed to the continent during Canada's contribution to the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, pictured Dec. 4, 2019, is under the microscope as his office had a budget of $200,000 last year but filed expenses worth $900,000. Conservative MPs and the national council members want to know the specifics, but so far say they're not getting straight answers from the Conservative Fund. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Senior Conservatives seething over Conservative Fund’s refusal to share Scheer’s $700,000 over-budget expense details with national council
'If you're a donor, why would you want to give money if you can't get straight answers on what the hell's going on?’ says veteran Conservative political insider Tim Powers.
There’s no place for democracy when bullying and blockades attract public attention
Courts have been very clear. Governments have a duty to consult Indigenous people before green-lighting major construction projects. But duty to consult should not be confused with veto power.When strategists and candidates conflict
The job of a political strategist is not just to manage a campaign; it’s also to manage the candidate.Canada can’t provide credible leadership on UN Security Council without leading on emission reductions
While we can take pride in the quality of our Foreign Affairs professionals and their ability to represent Canada well at the UN and around the world, membership on the UN Security Council should be based on more than th
ISG Senators propose rule changes to prevent ‘partisan obstruction’ from blocking private members’ bills
Senate Conservative leader Don Plett says the changes are ‘ridiculous,’ but ISG Senators Murray Sinclair and Pierre Dalphond say there needs to be a path to a vote on bills after 15 died in the last Parliament.Backlogs, lengthy delays await Indian status applicants following removal of sex discrimination law
The government says each status application could take between six months and two years, which advocates call an 'appalling' delay to deal with state-sponsored discrimination. Don’t go down ‘rabbit hole’ in Trade Committee’s study of new NAFTA implementation bill, warn trade experts
NDP MP Daniel Blaikie says it's worth taking 'a little extra time' to understand the 'full implications' of the new NAFTA, as well as to look at how Canada can improve its internal international trade process. 
The gnawing question of when to release terrorists from custody
I hope that those responsible for making decisions in this regard have the training and understanding of terrorism and the terrorist mindset to make the right call.A modest proposal for the assisted demise of democracy
For which babies boiled and fricasseed provide both inspiration and a cautionary tale. With thanks and apologies to J. Swift.Look to the United Nations to find solace in Trump’s wind of madness
In the UN Charter, we find the truths to guide us, such as saving humanity from the scourge of war, reaffirming faith in fundamental human rights, and the dignity of the human person.
Agriculture Minister Bibeau was the most-lobbied MP in 2019
In an election year, lobbying activity dropped by 30 per cent compared to 2018.Opposition critics, House committees to be key lobbying targets in minority Parliament, say lobbyists
'If you want to advance a file, it’s no longer enough for the governing party to be onside,' says Yaroslav Baran of Earnscliffe Strategy Group.CIJA, Dairy Farmers lead last lobbyist push before election call
Lobbyists filed 772 reports last month, down from 972 in July, and from the 1,478 reports filed in June.
Same staff, new office: a look at federal Public Safety Minister Blair’s team
Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough has similarly brought a number of staff from her old office as public services minister to her new post, including now-policy director Nicholas Kang.
It’s Louis Riel Day today in Manitoba, Salhany offers a fresh book on Canada’s ‘most famous trial in court history’
Plus, Hillites honour Christie Blatchford, and scribes gather to talk shop and drink beer at Feb. 13 CAJ shindig.
Press Gallery keeps Bingham Cup, defeats U.S. Embassy team in dominating fashion
Plus, Rob Russo is soon to be honoured with public policy journalism award, and Jane Philpott has been unveiled as Queen's University new health sciences dean.
Innovation Minister Bains names former PMO adviser as his policy head
Plus, there are more staffing changes to note in the Prime Minister’s Office, including the exit of Elyse Surette-DiMuzio, who’s now working for the Pete for America campaign south of the border. ‘Concise, original, well informed, and fearless’: Craig Oliver’s prolific life in journalism
Described by those who’ve worked alongside him over the years as an incredibly hard worker, a gentleman and a trusted friend, Mr. Oliver is also known as 'objectively fearless when it comes to his commentary.'Trade Minister Ng scoops up PMO’s Catenaro as communications director
Plus, Hill Climbers takes a look at Seniors Minister Deb Schulte’s team.
Court challenges, opposition to the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion remain after feds’ Appeal Court win
On Feb. 4, the Federal Court of Appeal struck down one Indigenous-led challenge of the Trans Mountain expansion project’s re-approval, but the pushback continues.
Privacy and data should be a top priority for ‘energetic’ Innovation Minister Bains, say experts
The federal government should be prioritizing data and privacy issues, given the increased global focus on the subject, says MaRS Discovery District's Cory Mulvihill.
As fears grow over coronavirus, MPs express concern over effect on local Asian-Canadian businesses
Some MPs have taken to social media to show it's safe to visit their city's Chinatown.
The case for a ‘For Indigenous, By Indigenous’ housing strategy
Urban, rural, and northern Indigenous peoples require a separate strategy that is governed and administered by Indigenous peoples themselves.Innovation, security will decide if 2020 is a year of fear or hope
The advancement of society-shaping technologies will move faster in 2020, and governments in Canada will need to accelerate their technological transformation.
Minority rules: 2020’s most influential figures to watch in federal politics
This year’s Top 100 Most Influential List reflects the power brokers who will help shape the terms of how this minority Parliament will shake out.
The return of Parliament is more than an event in the news cycle. It’s a time to look ahead, and to thoughtfully consider the important role each branch of government will play in that future, and in the life of each individual Canadian.
Our worldview, our desire for control, and the way we get information are just three things that new MPs should consider as they orient themselves to life in Ottawa and as elected representatives. But the implications of these three forces matter to everyone who seeks to engage and connect with Canadians.
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Politics This Morning: Freeland to testify before committee on new NAFTA
Plus, a string of committees, including the House Environment and Immigration committees, are electing their chairs.
How can Canadian politicians navigate party discipline? That was the theme of a well-attended public forum held in St. John’s on Feb. 6. Sponsored by the Royal Society of Canada (Atlantic) and MUN.
Summit shows importance of nature-based climate solutions to meet environmental targets.
Part of the challenge is that outside of agriculture circles, agriculture and innovation aren’t routinely talked about in tandem, particularly in the context of delivering broader public benefits.
As time passes, we inch closer and closer to irreversible damage. There is a need to act now and to take bold steps in addressing this crisis. 
Much scratching of heads and commissioning of studies has yet to produce a clear strategy as to how to find the magic formula to suddenly encourage the necessary waves of women to enlist.
From lessons Peter MacKay should have long learned, to Erin O’Toole’s confusing partisan swing, there’s a lot to look at.
Bourrie brings New France explorer Pierre-Esprit Radisson’s story to life in Bush Runner
Mark Bourrie talks about his book, Bush Runner: The Adventures of Pierre-Esprit Radisson.‘There has never been an ethnographer-activist the likes of James Teit’
Wendy Wickwire talks about her compelling and historically important book, At The Bridge: James Teit and an Anthropology of Belonging.
Politics This Morning
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A look at Natural Resources Minister O’Regan’s current 15-member team
Meanwhile, senior staff currently in Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos’ office include policy director Dylan Marando, communications director Karl Sasseville, and chief of staff Marjorie Michel.Who’s who behind the Indigenous services, Crown-Indigenous relations, and northern affairs ministers’ offices
Shaili Patel is policy director to Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett, while Samuel Yorke is running Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal’s policy shop. Raptors boss Masai Ujiri joins Trudeau on Africa trip
Plus, Liberal MP Omar Alghabra joins the Privy Council, and Dominic Barton listed as China's ambassador. Wooden mace used in House to mark 104 years since Parliament fire
Plus, MPs celebrate Robbie Burns Night on the Hill, and Ambassador Dominic Barton to appear before the Canada-China Committee. ‘Job action only way to get this government to move,’ says union president, as CRA members head to strike votes
‘If we have a strike mandate in early April and we’re in tax season and they don’t wake up and smell the coffee … guess what’s going to happen,’ says Union of Taxation Employees president Marc Brière.Lingering Phoenix issues ‘no surprise’ to union leaders, as annual survey shows increase in pay problems
The 2019 federal budget allocated $523.3-million over five years, starting in 2019–20, to 'ensure that adequate resources are dedicated to addressing pay issues,' according to PSPC. Senator Rob Black celebrates Canadian farmers and whisky
The snow was blowing outside, but the whisky was flowing inside. 
Taiwan president’s re-election could signal diplomatic shift in China: analysts
A China expert says he’s concerned Taiwan's January election could prompt a shift in approach from China, with some pointing to tensions in Hong Kong as an example.Afghan envoy fills two-year Ottawa vacancy with focus on trade, investment
Canada is the first head of mission posting for new Afghanistan Ambassador Mohammad Hassan Soroosh Yousufzai, whose predecessor left amidst controversy.
Trudeau cancels trip to CARICOM in Barbados, faces pressure to end pipeline protests here at home
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on Jan. 23, 2020, on the Hill, cancelled his trip on Feb. 16 to Bridgetown, Barbados, to attend CARICOM (Feb. 17-18). Mr. Trudeau cancelled the trip Sunday evening after facing criticism for how he and his government are dealing with the anti-pipeline protests across the country. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Protesters demonstrate in Ottawa in support of the Wet'suwet'en Nation.
