New operations head, regional advisers on deck in PMO
There are new regional advisers for Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic on board in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office, plus Vandana Kattar-Miller has been promoted to director of operations, outreach, and planning, and Adam Grech is now acting tour director. Kattar-Miller took on her new title in November and was previously director of outreach in […]
Why is Patrick Brown running for the federal Conservative leadership and how does he fit with Jean Charest?
OTTAWA—On the surface, it makes little sense why a former short-time Ontario provincial leader and now Brampton mayor—known for running the show there—is coming forward to throw his hat into the federal Conservative Party of Canada leadership race, hoping to win over other contenders. But Patrick Brown has politics in his blood and greater ambitions. Brown’s […]
Getting out of ‘groundhog mode’: Party Central’s back with an unmasked party at the Met
In Art Deco low light, throngs of lobbyists, politicians, staffers, and reporters crowded the Métropolitain Brasserie Restaurant, run by Sarah Chown and one of political Ottawa’s favourite watering holes, on March 23, many of whom were back on the Hill to let loose and celebrate for the first time in a long time. Stephen Hendrie, […]
Incumbent Conservative MPs to be shielded from nomination challenges if they raise $15,000, donate $3,350 to the party, Tory sources say
The federal Conservatives plan to protect all 119 incumbent MPs from nomination challenges before the next election if they raise $15,000 for their riding association annually, and each year donate a combined $3,350 to the riding association and the party, according to four Conservative sources. “The rules are that a candidate must raise $15,000 and […]
Will NDP, Liberal dance partners find their rhythm?
OTTAWA—The NHL trade deadline came and went this past week with some notable transactions. But nothing topped the deal between the Liberals and New Democrats. The Liberals acquired the New Democrats’ commitment to them for yet-to-be-determined, but expected to be billions of taxpayer dollars, in return for near unconditional support over a 3.5-year period. Still […]
Yesterday’s man takes a shot at remaking Canada’s future
OTTAWA—One thing is for sure: you can take Jean Charest at his word when he says he’s not afraid of an uphill struggle. I can recall his lonely days as the so-called leader of the Progressive Conservative party after the loss to Jean Chretien’s Liberals in 1993. The joke about being able to hold a […]
LGBTQ2S+ issues unlikely to repeat as spoiler in Tory leadership race, experts say
LGBTQ2S+ rights are not necessarily the biggest issue in the Conservative Party, experts say, and though the jury is still out on how some of the candidates will tackle LGBTQ2+ issues, others seem like they might do well and possibly win over a larger queer voter base. Asked what bearing LGBTQ2S+ issues might have on […]
Conservatives looking for a ‘tough leader’ to ‘fight fire with fire’: Q&A with Gerry Nicholls
Conservatives are looking for a tough leader and the party’s next contender for prime minister should demonstrate that he or she can “fight fire with fire” against the Liberals, says Conservative strategist Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times’ columnist joined executive editor Peter Mazereeuw, host of The Hot Room podcast, last week to offer his thoughts […]
Turnover in the OLO post-O’Toole, with new comms director among additions so far
There’s been plenty of turnover in the Official Opposition Leader’s Office since Erin O’Toole’s ouster from the post, with some new faces on board to support interim leader Candice Bergen, including a new communications director. As previously reported, veteran staffer William Stairs returned to the Hill to serve as Bergen’s chief of staff in February, […]
Canadian political landscape could change dramatically by summer’s end
OTTAWA—By summer’s end, the Canadian political landscape could change dramatically. Ontario is into a provincial election in less than two months, smack in the middle of a national Conservative leadership race. Quebec must have an election by Oct. 3, and next month Alberta’s controversial premier faces an internal review which could plunge his party into […]
