Liberals exploring creation of independent commission for leaders’ debates, but not all convinced of need
The Liberal government is eyeing the creation of an independent body to run televised federal leaders’ debates during elections, and while some former campaign organizers say they are open to the idea, others say the large number of debates in 2015 demonstrate the ad hoc system works the way it is. “These matters are for […]
A lament for O’Leary
OTTAWA—Many of you, I am sure, have been privately lamenting over these past few months how Canada is so much lesser because Kevin O’Leary still hasn’t made it into public life. If only he had won the Conservative leadership race, was in Parliament, and helping us all sort through the tough public-policy issues of the […]
New Quebec regional adviser for Immigration Minister Hussen
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Minister Ahmed Hussen has hired a new special assistant for the Quebec regional desk in his office, with Emilie Audy officially stepping into the role a few weeks ago. Before that, Ms. Audy had been working as a lawyer with Langlois Avocats in Montreal. She’s a member of the Quebec bar […]
What’s missing in Ottawa’s ethics regime: ethics
OTTAWA—For a journalist working in Ottawa, trying to cover issues of ethics was always a frustrating, time-wasting affair. The people appointed to the largely thankless job of overseeing the conduct of federal MPs and cabinet ministers always seemed to inhabit an infinitely mannered, sedate world where time stood still and the aim above all appeared […]
PMO hires two new staffers, and Social Development Minister Duclos makes more senior staff changes
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office recently added two more names to its team, including new English correspondence writer Joshua Clarke. Mr. Clarke’s arrival comes on the heels of correspondence writer Jonathan Barry’s departure from the Prime Minister’s Office a few weeks ago. Jean-Luc Marion is the manager of the correspondence in the PMO and oversees […]
Raitt, Chong, other Conservatives met to talk environment, policy, party’s direction after Scheer victory
Conservative MPs Lisa Raitt and Michael Chong were among a group of conservatives who gathered in Toronto in June to talk about the direction and policies of the Conservative Party of Canada, fresh from the selection of Andrew Scheer as the party’s new leader. Mr. Scheer’s (Regina-Qu’Appelle, Sask.) former rivals for the party leadership—who would […]
It’s a tiny Speaker…It’s a bloody man…It’s Superman!
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s hair was a little slicker than usual on Tuesday, as he got into the Halloween spirit. Rogers Communications’ Hill reporter Cormac Mac Sweeney tweeted: “PM Justin Trudeau is dressed as Clark Kent/Superman for Halloween. He flashed the Superman logo on his way into the House. #cdnpoli” […]
Conservatives maintain fundraising lead in Q3, with Liberals gaining pace
The federal Conservatives edged out the governing Liberals in the battle to tap into Canadians’ wallets last quarter, drawing $3.6-million in donations over the past three months, in what the party is calling one of its best fundraising performances in a non-election year. The Liberals finished some $500,000 behind the Tories, racking up roughly $3.1-million […]
Trudeau PMO tightening control over ministerial staffing, ‘identical’ to Harper approach, says ex-Liberal MP
The flow of staff from the Prime Minister’s Office to key posts in ministerial offices reveals an underperforming rookie cabinet, increasingly controlled by the PMO despite promises that a Liberal government would reverse Stephen Harper’s centralized approach, say some Conservatives and Liberals. Many The Hill Times spoke with said this style of governance, coupled with inexperienced […]
O’Regan hires comms director, Freeland bolsters political staff team, Scheer hires almost a dozen new staffers
Veterans Affairs and Associate Defence Minister Seamus O’Regan has hired a number of new political aides, including John Embury as his director of communications. Mr. Embury started on the job in early October, and before then was director of communications and marketing client services for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Mr. Embury started at […]
