Corrections
The article “Canadian government centralizes procurement as the trend is more decentralization, says procurement expert Hansen” (The Hill Times, Aug. 21) incorrectly attributed to Jon Hansen the notion that technology should not be adapting to the procurement process. Mr. Hansen said the reverse, that technology should adapt to the process and not define it. Last […]
The Spin Doctors
Mike Storeshaw Conservative Strategist “Mr. Nanos is correct: getting people to consider voting for your party, and having the means to translate those good feelings into actual votes, are two very different things. The latter requires significant resources, party infrastructure, and membership and volunteer bases. These are the nuts and bolts of Canadian politics, and […]
Layton hires two top political aides for the research bureau
NDP Leader Jack Layton has hired two senior political aides for NDP caucus services. Brad Lavigne, former director of communications to the NDP headquarters in Ottawa, becomes director of caucus research and communications, and Kathleen Monk, a former CTV producer, has been hired as deputy director of caucus research and communications. Mr. Lavigne succeeds Jamey […]
Open up riding nominations
This summer, the Conservative Party announced that in the interest of democracy, and unlike the Liberal Party, it would not protect sitting MPs from nomination challenges. But challengers are coming forward publicly to criticize their own party’s nomination process. Their papers are being rejected for what appear to be bureaucratic hang-ups, and challengers say they […]
It will be years before FAA is working effectively: Prof. Franks
The Federal Accountability Act is moving in the right direction in terms of responsibility and accountability in the public service, but it will take years to ensure that the system is working effectively, says public administration and Parliamentary expert Ned Franks. “The Accountability Act creates a framework for clarifying accountability and responsibility, but it’s just […]
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Provincial street names debate Re: “Bring the names of the provinces to the capital’s streets” (The Hill Times, Aug. 21). Interesting idea in the Aug. 21 Hill Times, but there’s a slight problem-you forgot the street between present-day Lyon and Bronson. It’s Bay Street-and unlike Bronson, it does go to Wellington Street. I should know: […]
‘He was the best boss around,’ says Benoit Sauvageau’s Parliamentary assistant Dacaire
Benoit Sauvageau’s six-year Parliamentary assistant says he was so shocked by his boss’s sudden death last week that he almost expected to see him come through the door and say hello. “He was so young. I don’t think I realize it to its full extent right now. I’m still wondering if he’s going to show […]
Gagliano to release telling autobiography this month
“The future of this country is more important than the future of the Liberal Party,” Jean Chrétien once said. That was when he was told that supporting Jean Charest, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, in his bid for the leadership of the Liberal Party in Québec, was bad for the Grits. This anecdote and […]
PM touts northern tourism
Northern tourism will play a large role in the future of Canada’s territories, Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) said in a speech from Whitehorse, Yukon on Aug. 17. Mr. Harper also used the speech to announce an extra $9.5 million in funding for the 2007 Canada Winter Games to be hosted by Whitehorse. […]
Tories should take responsibility for toxic sites in the North: MP Angus
Defence Minister Gordon O’Connor (Carleton-Mississippi Mills, Ont.) needs to acknowledge the Defence Department’s responsibility for numerous toxic sites in Ontario’s North, NDP MP Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay, Ont.) said at a news conference last week. The Department of National Defence built and then abandoned 17 radar bases in the early 1960s in the James Bay-Hudson’s […]