Political trends are running against the Liberal Party
His early election call proved Justin Trudeau isn’t a good gambler. He should avoid patronizing casinos when he leaves politics. However, he is adept at shuffling and might find work as a card dealer. Longevity is not a term that belongs in discussions about his cabinet decisions, with the exception of Chrystia Freeland. She has […]
All parties have a chance to right their respective ships in 2022
OTTAWA—As the year draws to a close, it is time to reflect on politics past and future. In the past year, the governing Liberals limped out of an election, barely making any inroads into their dream of a governing majority. In the past year, the newly-minted Conservative leader dreamed that this was his party’s time […]
The many reflections of Pierre Poilievre
Described by political strategists both as “no bullshit” and as spouting bullshit, there’s no denying that Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre is a prominent and divisive figure as a finance critic, figurehead for criticism of the Liberals, and according to some, a person who would have a good shot at the party’s leadership. Poilievre was first […]
The good, the bad, and the PPC
OTTAWA—Last week, both the extraordinarily encouraging and the deeply discouraging were on display in our federal political system. The brightness of unanimous parliamentary consent on the need to move forward the ban on conversion therapy, followed by the much less appealing resounding endorsement of Maxime Bernier by the membership of the People’s Party of Canada. […]
Two former Tory national councillors push back on party’s ruling of early leadership review
Two former national councillors, who are pushing for an early review of Erin O’Toole’s leadership, are challenging party president Robert Batherson’s ruling that Conservative Sen. Denise Batter’s e-petition calling for the review to happen in the next six months is “unconstitutional.” In a four page letter sent out to all 21 members of the National […]
O’Toole should confront his dissidents head-on and call an immediate leadership review: Tom Lukiwski
REGINA—In the first episode of the sitcom Community, Chevy Chase’s character observes: “You know, I’ve been divorced seven times. Sometimes I think I’m doing something wrong.” While this character’s self-reflection may be long overdue, it is nonetheless superior to what we see in Canadian political parties—of any and every stripe—who typically blame their failures on […]
Conservatives’ survey has would-be candidates worried O’Toole will change nomination rules to reward loyalists
A survey sent by the Conservative Party to its members has some would-be candidates and senior Tories worried that Leader Erin O’Toole is laying the groundwork to further centralize the nomination process, and pick and choose candidates who he likes. In a survey sent out to grassroots members of the party in mid-November obtained by […]
Has O’Toole hired an enforcer?
OAKVILLE, ONT.—It looks like Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole might be getting ready for a rumble. I say that because, according to a recent media report, O’Toole has added Jeff Ballingall, creator of the right-wing social media network Canada Proud, to his “election readiness” team. Notably, Canada Proud is a group that’s known for its […]
Embattled Greens look to fill in their leader spot on an interim basis
After the drama of party in-fighting and the pointed exit statement former Green leader Annamie Paul made on Sept. 27 when she said “I didn’t realize … I was breaking a glass ceiling that was going to fall on my head,” the party is now looking mercilessly forward and is ready to find a new […]
Who’s who among senior political staff confirmed so far
From government to opposition, staff have been hard at work behind the scenes to get ready for the start of the new Parliament, and while cabinet ministers are still finalizing their new staff teams, Hill Climbers is diving into who’s who among senior staffers settled so far. Topping the list for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s […]
