MP Hoback ‘disappointed’ in lack of Trudeau-Pelosi contact as USMCA talks get testy south of border
As the Canadian government prepares to table an implementation bill for the renegotiated North American trade pact in the House of Commons, an opposition MP says he’s “surprised” the prime minister hasn’t spoken to the American politician in charge of shepherding the agreement through the U.S. House of Representatives. A government official told The Hill […]
Social media execs face grilling at Ottawa summit, as global consensus on need for government regulation grows
Representatives from Google, Twitter, and Facebook, in particular, faced relentless grilling from elected officials representing 11 countries during an international meeting on data privacy in Ottawa on Tuesday, with officials speaking to a growing global consensus on the need for governments to co-ordinate internationally to regulate social media platforms. “What we’re seeing from the expertise […]
EU elections show choices are becoming clearer
The best way of describing what just happened in the European Union elections is to say that the choices are getting clearer—and a lot of people are realizing which side they are on. The elections to the EU Parliament held last week in 28 European countries—including the United Kingdom, since three years after the Brexit […]
Liberal MPs want Finance Minister Morneau to revisit mortgage stress test
Liberal MPs from Greater Vancouver and the Greater Toronto Area are calling on Finance Minister Bill Morneau to either remove or alter the mortgage stress test, saying it’s negatively affecting middle class jobs and restricting their constituents’ ability to buy a house in all major urban centres. “I’m hearing a lot of concerns,” said Liberal […]
Scheer’s fiscal policy reveals a Conservative Party stuck in the past
With some fanfare, the Conservative Party not long ago announced that its leader, Andrew Scheer, would engage Canadians with a series of speeches outlining how his party would govern, should it win the upcoming federal election. But if Canadians had been hoping for creative and bold new thinking to address the big challenges facing the […]
Meslin’s first-ever book a condemnation of and prescription for all that ails modern Canadian politics
Author and activist Dave Meslin doesn’t mince his words in describing what he sees as an ailing political system in Canada, calling it a “childish circus” and a “demoralizing farce,” plagued by toxic discourse, and populated by unrepresentative party “cartels.” His prescription, as laid out in his new book: tear it all down, and rebuild […]
Caesar-Chavannes now considering run as an Independent MP in October election
PARLIAMENT HILL—Independent MP Celina Caesar-Chavannes says she’s also considering to running as an Independent candidate in the October federal election, after watching Independent MPs Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott announce their plans to run as Independents. “The option of running as an Independent is intriguing, I will certainly consider it,” said Ms. Caesar-Chavannes (Whitby, Ont.) […]
B.C. ‘incredibly competitive’ battleground in upcoming campaign, Liberals can’t afford to lose seats in province: pollsters
In the topsy-turvy and tumultuous political environment in which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals are dropping in the polls, British Columbia’s 42 seats will be a critical battleground in the upcoming campaign, pollsters say. If the Liberals want to form government next time, they will have to make some gains in the country’s western-most province, […]
Anger in politics is neither appealing nor productive
KAMOURASKA, QUE.—May 20 marked 39 years since the first Quebec referendum, which resulted in a 60-40 rejection of the Parti Québécois bid for independence. I remember it well, as a member of the “Non” organizing committee. We had spent six weeks of gruelling 18-hour days, culminating in a 5 a.m. start on the day of […]
Brexit, the EU election, and nostalgia for Obama’s don’t-do-stupid-stuff motto
While it may not be the most sensational story about what exiting presidents have left the White House with, Barack Obama sauntering out with the *needlepoint Oval Office throw pillow that bore the motto “Don’t do Stupid Shit” under his arm may be the most consequential. (Note to readers: While Hill Times style generously allows me to […]
