Stories by Laura Ryckewaert
MPs still figuring out feedback, as key decisions await Centre Block renovation project
The three-member working group set up by the House Board of Internal Economy in 2019 to oversee Centre Block’s renovation was disbanded with the last Parliament, and discussions are now underway on its successor.
Plus, Hill Climbers dives into the team working in Families, Children, and Social Development Minister Ahmed Hussen’s office.
Plus, Hill Climbers takes a look at Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bernadette Jordan’s new team.
Plus, Hill Climbers takes a look at International Development Minister Karina Gould’s office, where Hanna Button has stayed on as director of policy.
‘Now that it’s a minority government, they have to listen to everybody,’ says Bloc MP Rhéal Fortin, his party’s justice critic. 
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. 
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. 
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. Author
Plus, Hill Climbers takes a look at Seniors Minister Deb Schulte’s team.
‘We’re looking for what I would call an accessible, diverse, and collaborative leadership contest,’ says interim leader Jo-Ann Roberts.
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.
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. 
‘It would be a challenging project in a new build, but we’re trying to do it in an iconic heritage building, so there’s a technical challenge that’s quite significant,’ says PSPC’s Jennifer Garrett. 
Plus, former Liberal MP Matt DeCourcey has joined the political staff ranks post-election and is now a senior adviser to Finance Minister Bill Morneau.
Meanwhile, Government House Leader Pablo Rodriguez is entering the new sitting with a director of Senate affairs, Kornelia Mankowski.
Plus, Danielle Keenan has been named director of communications to Diversity, Inclusion, and Youth Minister Bardish Chagger, among other recent hires. 
By this winter, PSPC expects work to assess the state of the Centre Block building to be completed, with schematic design plans expected by spring. 
Erin Flanagan is director of climate, energy, and regulatory affairs, while Jamie MacDonald is director of nature conservation in the minister’s office.
Plus, Andrée-Lyne Hallé has moved over to Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland’s office as deputy chief of staff and director of operations. One patrol ship and 118 Crown vehicles vandalized, part of $24.2-million in lost property in 2018-19
Federal court pay outs totalled roughly $28.1-million in 2018-19, including a roughly $10-million court award paid out by Global Affairs Canada under NAFTA’s Chapter 11. 
Meanwhile, the foreign affairs ministerial team once again led travel spending in 2018-19, with a combined total of $221,111 expensed to Global Affairs Canada.
Associate Finance Minister Mona Fortier has hired two of her now-former MP assistants to work in her new ministerial office.
Plus, former finance staffer Alyx Holland has joined Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office as a senior policy adviser. 
Plus, PMO executive director of communications and planning Kate Purchase is leaving the Hill.
The House legal and legislative branch is seeking $825,105, in part to help reduce delays in drafting private members’ bills and amendments, from 48 sitting days to 30.
Jeremy Broadhurst has been made chief of staff to Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, but is also now considered a senior PMO staffer. 
Scheer recognized winning April leadership review vote would take ‘a longer, more gruelling campaign than the one we just ran for the general election,’ says Tory Whip Mark Strahl.
The estimates include $44-million for Phoenix damages, $131.9-million towards reconciliation on Indigenous rights and fisheries issues, and $9.9-million for the Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization. 
Jason Easton is staying on as chief of staff to now-International Trade and Small Business Minister Mary Ng, plus Lesley Sherban will be her director of operations. 
Plus, there have been a few recent staff departures from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Plus, Adam Carroll has moved over to Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna's office as chief of staff. 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.