New Chilean ambassador had his hands full from the get-go
Chile’s new ambassador to Canada, Alejandro Marisio Cugat, is starting his mission here with high hopes of bilateral visits and deepened trade relations. The envoy, who only arrived in Canada on June 12 and presented his credentials on June 15, has really got his hands full at the moment, as he’s still wrapping up work from his previous position […]
Majority of Liberal voters disagree with assisted dying for minors, people with mental illnesses
Six in 10 Canadians do not support allowing mature minors or people who suffer from mental illnesses to access physician-assisted dying, according to a new Forum Research Inc. poll provided exclusively to The Hill Times. The random sampling of 1,429 Canadian voters indicated that 62 per cent were against allowing mature minors aged 12 to 18 […]
Bernier hoping for Kenney supporters, ‘shares a lot of ideas’ with PC candidate
Conservative MP Maxime Bernier‘s leadership team has launched what they call the “second phase” of his campaign to head the Conservative Party of Canada—asking the Canadian public for donations. Mr. Bernier officially began his campaign for the leadership on May 15, about a year ahead of the party’s convention, set for May 27, 2017, and he’s already organized a national campaign team […]
Don’t underestimate Jason Kenney, putative frontrunner, ultimate political animal
OTTAWA—Jason Kenney is the ultimate political animal. He knows when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em. In Kenney’s lengthy political pilgrimage, he has been associated with the Liberals, the Reform Party, the Conservatives and Wildrose. He has been extremely successful in riding the crest of just about every new Albertan political wave. Kenney […]
Political leader wanted, no experience desired
GATINEAU, QUE.—What an odd state of affairs—so many enticing political jobs on offer and so few attractive (sane, even) candidates. Leaders, or would-be leaders, of Britain’s major parties are clamouring for the exits: first the bumptious Boris Johnson, a major voice in the successful Brexit campaign; then Nigel Farage, leader of the right-wing UKIP party, […]
Brexit critics missing the point
It is a sign of the times that, according to Britain’s Daily Mail, the National Health Service is offering its staff free counselling “to help them cope with the Brexit result.” From what I’ve read coming out of Ottawa, including Tim Powers’s peevish piece last Wednesday in which he scolded Jason Kenney and Tony Clement […]
Contemplating leadership run, Tony Clement ‘refreshes’ his look
Conservative MP Tony Clement has spiffed up his look, and the timing of his image revamp is no coincidence. “I’ve noticed that when you’re contemplating running for leader, you automatically get a whole lot of advice on how you should look better,” Mr. Clement (Parry Sound-Muskoka, Ont.) told The Hill Times in an interview last week. […]
Longtime Conservative staffer Bromfield retiring
Longtime Conservative staffer Patsy Bromfield is retiring after almost three decades working on Parliament Hill, and she’ll mark her last day in the Conservative research bureau, dubbed the Conservative Resource Group (CRG) on July 15. Mrs. Bromfield is currently manager of personnel and administration in the CRG, which works closely with the office of interim […]
Maxime Bernier campaign leads federal Tory leadership pack
The federal Conservative Party leadership vote is still a little less than 11 months away, but at least one of the three declared candidates already has the edge in terms of organization. Former federal Cabinet minister Maxime Bernier, who officially launched his bid in his riding of Beauce, Que. on May 15, has current and […]
Politics this morning: a string of announcements, including one from MP Jason Kenney
Today is Tuesday, July 5. Here’s what you should know before starting your day: The rumours may be put to rest tomorrow, as Conservative MP Jason Kenney is said to be making an “important announcement” in Calgary that may involve revealing his plans for his future in politics. According to a report from The National Post, the […]
