Leitch’s fundraising swells in September during ‘Canadian values’ controversy
Conservative MP Kellie Leitch’s explosive proposal to screen refugees, immigrants, and visitors to Canada for “Canadian values” didn’t hurt her fundraising campaign in September—in fact, contributions boomed that month after having plunged like a stone over the summer, party financial reports to Elections Canada suggest. Though a handful of her opponents in the race to […]
Trudeau’s election was more about personality than policy
TORONTO—Elections are the art of making a mountain out of a molehill. This is true in Canada and in every democratic country. Some are saying that elections are not about policies, but about character. No doubt that character is important, but making mistakes with a smile on your face doesn’t change the damage imposed on people. […]
Who would have guessed Senate and innovation could be used in the same sentence?
OTTAWA—What may have started as a communications exercise by the Liberals to differentiate themselves from their public opponents on Senate reform has turned very real, very fast. Institutional change is at hand. Disruption and disruptive behaviour is all the rage in business these days. It might be the approach, either deliberate or not, that the […]
Do or die time for electoral reform
TORONTO—It’s safe to say the Liberals head into electoral reform negotiations a little chastened and a bit more exposed than they would have wanted. They can thank Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent cynicism-meets-narcissism moment. After campaigning on a promise that the 2015 election would be the last one using the antiquated first-past-the-post system—and repeating the […]
Innovation Minister Bains sees changes to staffing roster
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains has seen some changes to his ministerial staffing roster in recent weeks, including the departure of exempt aide Kelly Acton, who returned to work for the corresponding department in early October. A former director general with Industry Canada—now reworked and renamed as Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada—Ms. […]
Should federal election laws be amended to disallow cash-for-access events with government ministers?
Braeden Caley, Liberal strategist “All Members of Parliament and all parties fundraise, and we all abide by the exact same rules. Federal politics is subject to some of the strictest political financing legislation and regulations in the country, and the Liberal Party fully complies with the Elections Act in all cases. “There are still jurisdictions […]
One year on: promises, what promises?
MONTREAL—Much celebration, for the most part justified, is attending the first anniversary of Justin Trudeau’s election victory. Twelve months later, polls elicit no buyer’s remorse. Many voters who did not support Trudeau last year are on balance happy he won. The alignment of the stars continues to favour the prime minister. With the opposition parties […]
End of honeymoon with labour could force Trudeau to step up game as PM: academic
At least one academic and former journalist says the wrath being directed at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau right now by Canada’s biggest public-service union could force him to improve his performance as Canada’s chief decision-maker. Last week, the Public Service Alliance of Canada launched a media campaign with a direct message for the prime minister: […]
Electoral Reform Committee report almost in works, but PM comments cast shadow
The Electoral Reform Committee will soon begin drafting its recommendations after months of work costing more than $670,000, with a “colossal” level of input up for consideration. However, recent comments from the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have left some members questioning the fate of reform efforts. Committee members are nonetheless keeping positive about the possibility of […]
Trudeau’s promises, promises, promises
GATINEAU, QUE.—All politicians make promises, but those who survive know which ones to break. Justin Trudeau, who remains extremely popular after one year in office, is already creeping away from commitments that were either hasty, unimportant, or are now largely forgotten. They won’t be forgotten by everyone—every policy tweak has its constituency—but governing parties only […]
