The cities’ problem with CETA
POWELL RIVER, B.C.—The trouble with demonizing the leader of an unpopular government is that it gives the next leader a way too much slack. I remember writing a column years ago comparing Brian Mulroney with Paul Martin (who more or less ran Jean Chretien’s government). Who was more destructive to the public interest and progressive […]
‘How cool is this, little guy from Stony Plain, Alberta, and he gets to walk in and work in this place every day,’ Keller reflects on Hill work as he mulls ‘next challenge’
PARLIAMENT HILL —As with many a career in politics, Garry Keller’s started off knocking on doors—lots and lots of doors. He helped then Reform MP John Williams get elected for the first time in 1993, and then four years later and fresh out of university, Mr. Keller again hit the pavement in the 1997 federal […]
Former Conservative leadership candidate Rick Peterson considers run in Ambrose’s riding
Former Conservative leadership candidate Rick Peterson won only four votes in the Alberta riding of Sturgeon River-Parkland in his unsuccessful leadership contest in May, but the British Columbia-based venture capitalist is considering a run at his party’s nomination to succeed the outgoing MP and former interim party leader Rona Ambrose. “I grew up in Alberta […]
A few more staff depart Conservative leader’s office, including chief Keller
A few more Conservative staffers bade farewell to new leader Andrew Scheer’s office at the start of the summer break, bringing the total of departed—or departing—staff up to 16 in all to date since Mr. Scheer’s transition began. More than 40 staffers remain listed in the Conservative leader’s office, and intertwined research bureau, on the […]
From Macdonald to Mulroney: transformative Conservative leadership
Like most political movements, Canadian Conservatives in the past 150 years have celebrated the heights of achievement, suffered the ignominy of defeat, seized opportunities and lost them, been divided, reunited and redefined several times, recovered to regain victory and persevered. As other parties, they have celebrated heroic leaders and spurned bad ones who left behind […]
Religion still influential in Canadian politics, presents challenge to Conservative politicians: book authors
Much of Canadian society today is secularized, with only a slim portion of the population viewing religion as very important to their lives. But it nonetheless remains influential in the politics of this country, as seen federally of late with the Conservative Party, according to a new book, Religion & Canadian Party Politics. The book, […]
It’s time for summertime political predictions
OAKVILLE, ONT.—Now that summer is officially upon us, and the political world is a little more relaxed, it’s a good time to have some fun. And what’s more fun than playing a game of speculation, where we make wild guesses about future political tactics and strategy? Okay, admittedly lots of things are more fun, but […]
Slate of Conservative staffers exit new leader Scheer’s office
Eleven more staffers have taken their leave of the Conservative Leader’s Office and Hill research bureau, which, along with the two previously reported, brings the total to 13 departed staffers since Andrew Scheer took over as Conservative Party leader on May 27. Director of strategic communications Dennis Matthews is among those who have departed, with […]
July 4 party still on at ambassador’s residence, without an ambassador
We don’t have a U.S. ambassador in this country right now, but that doesn’t mean we can’t we use their property for a party. The U.S. Embassy has let it be known that the annual Fourth of July party will go on as usual on the grounds of Lornado, the U.S. ambassador’s residence in Rockcliffe […]
Liberal MPs want Trudeau to protect them from nomination challenges in 2019 election
Incumbent Liberal MPs want Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to protect them from nomination challenges for the 2019 federal election, arguing that while they perform their parliamentary duties in Ottawa for about half the year, their potential challengers have an advantage over them because they can use the time to “undermine” them in their ridings. “When […]
