Ontario premier’s resignation not only option
TORONTO—To say Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne’s leadership is in trouble is an understatement. However, to say that she will lose the next election is premature. The face of success or failure is the face of the leader, but the leader is not necessarily responsible for either. Many times, the problem is with the people behind the […]
Conservatives’ rank and file ‘pissed off’ O’Leary quit, wondering, ‘what the hell are we left with?’
With Kevin O’Leary gone from the Conservative leadership race, there are concerns within the party about the level of star power left and the chances any of the remaining candidates have of winning the next federal election, say insiders. There is still resentment toward heavyweights from the former Stephen Harper cabinet, such as Peter MacKay, […]
O’Leary departure makes things less interesting, but likely for the best
Watching the Conservative leadership race unfold over the next month will not be nearly as interesting now that Kevin O’Leary has quit the race. But as a country, we’re probably better off that this happened. Why? He might have somehow become prime minister. Yes, we agree with Mr. O’Leary’s assessment that he would have had […]
This just in: Parliament Pub set for a comeback after more than two-year hiatus
The Parliament Pub, the patio for which provides the best view of the Parliament Buildings of any Ottawa establishment, is set to reopen during the May long weekend, weather permitting, after being closed since December 2014. It closed due to renovations the federal government—owner of the historic Birks Building at 107 Sparks St., where the […]
Quebec was not the only wall in his way
Businessman Kevin O’Leary says he is pulling out of the campaign to succeed Stephen Harper because he is not convinced he could carry enough votes in Quebec to beat Justin Trudeau in the 2019 election. Fair enough. But chances are he would never have had the opportunity to test that proposition in a general election. […]
Kevin O’Leary drops from Conservative leadership race, backs Maxime Bernier
Businessman Kevin O’Leary, widely considered to be a front-runner in the Conservative Party leadership race, is bowing out of the contest in its final leg because he says his lack of support in Quebec would make it difficult for him to beat Justin Trudeau’s Liberals in the next general election. He’s thrown his support behind […]
Tory leadership candidates courting supply management group for support
Multiple candidates in the Conservative leadership race have reached out for support from the organizers of a politically active Facebook group in Quebec created to defend supply management. Staff on the campaigns for Andrew Scheer (Regina-Qu’Appelle, Sask.), Michael Chong (Wellington-Halton Hills, Ont.), and Steven Blaney (Bellechasse-Les Etchemins-Lévis, Que.) have contacted the administrator or one of […]
Less than a quarter of caucus undeclared in Conservative race, with a month to go
Less than a quarter of caucus members have yet to publicly endorse a candidate in the Conservative leadership race as the final month of campaigning begins. Their reasons for staying mum range from having multiple close friends in the race to opting to remain neutral due to their involvement in the leadership race organization. In total, […]
Ex-Hill staffers running Lemieux’s leadership campaign
With a grassroots-driven Conservative leadership campaign, former MP Pierre Lemieux is working to make sure social conservatives “know they have a voice moving forward” and a “seat at the table” as the party’s tent grows, says his campaign manager, Steve Outhouse. “We really want to try to communicate in particular to social conservatives and try […]
PMO hires a new executive assistant, another switches assignment
The Prime Minister’s Office recently hired Nour Kechacha as an executive assistant to both PMO senior adviser Mathieu Bouchard and to director of administration and special projects Brett Thalmann. Until recently, Ms. Kechacha had spent the last year working as a legislative assistant to Liberal MP Marwan Tabbara, who was elected to represent Kitchener South-Hespeler, […]
