Conservative senior economic adviser exits amid leadership transition
Cam Vidler, who’d been a senior economic policy adviser to the Conservative leader, has left the Hill amid the transition that’s followed Conservative MP Andrew Scheer’s election as the new official opposition leader. He marked his last day on the Conservative leader’s team on June 23. Mr. Vidler had been hired to advise then-interim Conservative […]
From lawbreaker to lawmaker: Conservative MP pens book to help others with alcohol addiction
From facing two driving impairment charges because of alcoholism to becoming a Member of Parliament, a Conservative MP is hoping his newly released autobiography will help those who may be suffering from addiction. Guy Lauzon (Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, Ont.) writes about his life between the ages of 15 and 30, when he was addicted to alcohol, […]
Tory Senators divided over whether they really agreed to term limits
As several Conservative Senators reach their eight-year service mark this August, some say the idea that they had pledged to only stay that long is a myth, because former prime minister Stephen Harper had only asked for their support to pass a bill. But two Tory Senators don’t see it that way, with one saying […]
‘Fomenting misunderstanding for partisan reasons,’ Green Leader May slams ‘horrific’ Conservative response to Khadr’s $10.5-million settlement
While the Conservatives have rallied to criticize the Liberal government’s $10.5-million settlement with former Guantanamo Bay detainee Omar Khadr, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May says the Conservatives’ response has been “horrific” and that it’s “fomenting misunderstanding for partisan reasons.” “It’s horrific. There’s a complete disconnect from the reasons that the apology and some level of […]
Conservatives play cheap politics on federal government’s payment to Omar Khadr
The Conservatives are saying Omar Khadr “murdered” U.S. Army medic Christopher Speer with a grenade in 2002. It’s all in their latest ad on the party’s website, headlined, “Meet Canada’s newest multi-millionaire—Omar Khadr.” There’s a big black and white photo of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outlined in red and photoshopped over another even bigger image […]
When every other explanation fails, there’s always stupidity
TORONTO—Stupidity. When every other explanation fails, there’s always stupidity. Remember that, boys and girls. Let us explain. Back at the beginning of time, when this writer wrote for the Calgary Herald and the Ottawa Citizen and the like, media folks still had expense accounts. It’s true, we did. We would gather at local canteen, and […]
Conservative MPs divided on how protected they should be from nomination challenges
Conservative MPs are divided on how much protection they should get from nomination challenges in the run-up to the 2019 election. In May of last year, Dustin van Vugt, executive director of the Conservative Party, informed caucus at a weekly meeting about proposed nomination rules. MPs were told that, under the proposal, they could avoid […]
Comms directors to McKenna, Foote depart
Summertime on the Hill means plenty of staff changes while the House of Commons is on break, and two directors of communications have recently left their respective ministerial offices. Frédérique Tsai-Klassen has exited her role as director of communications to Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, and a listing on the conflict of interest and ethics commissioner’s […]
How 63 lobby groups landed meetings with the PM
Getting into the same room as the prime minister demands a lot of legwork, meetings with ministers, matching government language, and a little luck, according to consultants and insiders who say Justin Trudeau is leading his consultation-focused government by example. Since the October 2015 election, 63 groups filed 96 communication reports from meetings with Mr. Trudeau […]
‘Some people just can’t leave the campaign behind’: O’Toole rips libertarian website run by Bernier supporters
Conservative MP and former leadership candidate Erin O’Toole has harsh words for a new pro-libertarian organization started by a former aide to Maxime Bernier, calling it a continuation of Mr. Bernier’s campaign for the Conservative Party leadership even after that race wrapped with a victory for Andrew Scheer in May. “All campaigns need to step […]
