Next election ‘very likely’ most expensive in Canadian history, say political insiders
The Oct. 19 federal election is expected to be the most expensive in Canada’s political history because, for the first time, the election date is known and pre-election spending will be big, say MPs, party strategists, and third-party organizations. The House of Commons is scheduled to start its summer recess on June 23 and won’t […]
Harper will continue to win majorities if NDP, Liberals don’t join forces, says former NDP MP
Prime Minister Stephen Harper will win a second majority government in a general election this year unless Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Party warm up to hints of an NDP willingness to join forces before the election, says a former B.C. NDP MP elected to five terms in the House of Commons before Jean Chretien […]
GreenPAC wants to change the game on the environment in Ottawa
TORONTO—Experts and activists often point to the devastating consequences of government failures to enact policies that protect our environment. And, understandably, this is what public and media attention is drawn to when a mining disaster destroys a salmon fishery, when floods, storms, and droughts are exacerbated by unpredictable changes in our climate, or when we […]
Quebec wild card in 2015 election
OTTAWA—The results of the 2011 federal election demonstrated that, when it comes to Quebec, assumptions can prove completely wrong. In 2015, Quebec is showing that it is impossible to assume anything at all. Nowhere else in Canada is the electoral math more difficult to calculate than in Quebec, where most polls show no party garnering […]
Who’s got the trailer home vote? Data dive yields insights into political strategy
PARLIAMENT HILL—While he was the MP for Fort McMurray-Athabasca, Brian Jean would grumble that for all the wealth his riding was bringing to Canada from oilsands production, not enough of that wealth was flowing back into the riding in the form of new infrastructure to keep up with the rapidly-growing population. But some data released […]
Political leaders pursuing crucial Ontario seats must spell out ideas now
TORONTO—It is hard to visualize a change in government in the upcoming federal election without a major change in Ontario. The Tories currently dominate Ontario, holding 70 of its 106 seats, compared to 19 NDP, 13 Liberal, one Green and three vacant. In this year’s election campaign, Ontario will add 15 seats, bringing its total […]
Ottawa police officer Abdi seeks Conservative nomination in Ottawa West-Nepean
An Ottawa police officer, who in the past served with the RCMP’s National Security Community Outreach Program, is running for the Conservative Party’s nomination in the highly-coveted riding of Ottawa West-Nepean vacated recently by former foreign affairs minister John Baird. Abdul Abdi, currently on leave of absence from the Ottawa Police to seek the nomination, […]
Polls may force issue of progressive alliance
OTTAWA—How deep is the mistrust and hostility between Tom Mulcair and Justin Trudeau? It’s not just an idle thought plucked from the annals of the Canadian political soap opera. It could determine this country’s government this autumn. Voters may find it madness to be discussing a potential coalition government seven months before an expected election, […]
Mayrand talks robocalls, election spending, Tory fight
Canada’s Chief Electoral Officer Marc Mayrand says he still has concerns about some of the changes to Canada’s electoral law, but as his agency prepares for another trip to the polls he considers the treatment he received from the Conservative government last year “water under the bridge.” In an interview with The Hill Times, Mr. […]
Anti-abortion group launches anti-Trudeau campaign
PARLIAMENT HILL—The youth wing of one of Canada’s largest anti-abortion lobbies with Conservative ties has launched a two-month cross-country campaign attacking Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau in an effort to sway votes in the upcoming federal election. The Campaign Life Coalition Youth, in partnership with another more senior anti-abortion lobby, the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform, […]
