PM Harper has another top priority: National ID cards
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has placed the issue of ID cards for Canadians back on the table. That’s without any announced plans for extensive public debate or any contemplated legislative changes whatsoever to existing privacy legislation. This happened recently in Cancun, Mexico, where Harper pledged to get in line with U.S. President George W. Bush’s […]
Boudria’s is back
Former five-term Liberal MP Don Boudria is back on the Hill-this time, as an unpaid adviser to the national Liberal caucus. Mr. Boudria who won six consecutive federal elections and represented the Ontario riding of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell from 1984 to 2004 and did not seek reelection in the last federal election is advising Liberal MPs on […]
Conservatives operating on GG warrants to run government
The newly-elected Conservative government is operating on GG Special Warrants until the federal budget is unveiled this spring and has so far released $2.3-billion for 25 departments, including spending on the Privy Council Office, the House of Commons, the Library of Parliament and the Governor General’s Office, acording to the Canada Gazette. Meanwhile, the new […]
In the Green Room: Diane Finley
It should not come as too much of a surprise that the main colour scheme in the home of Conservative Cabinet Minister Diane Finley, 48, is blue. Ms. Finley’s ties to the party go deeper than Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Cabinet. She shares a home in Simcoe, Ont., with her husband Doug Finley, a senior […]
NDP staffer and international marathon runner volunteers time to teach first-time Hill runners to run
Six years ago, the NDP Whip’s Assistant Theresa Kavanagh, 48, decided to take up running. Today, she’s a qualified personal trainer, has run in a handful of elite 42.2 km marathons in Canada and the U.S., has done one Ironman, triathlons for fun and bikes 10 km to work every day from her west end […]
Conservative government to introduce copyright bill: Bev Oda
The Conservative government intends to amend the Copyright Act and ratify two internet treaties of the World Intellectual Property Organization, Heritage Minister Bev Oda told the Hill Times last week after the Speech from the Throne. “Copyright legislation has to be amended to make [compliant] our copyright laws and ratify the international treaties,” Ms. Oda […]
High-profile Liberals line up to run for the party’s presidency
At least six high-profile Liberals are considering a run for the federal Liberal Party presidency. And at least two of the well-known Liberals-former Liberal Cabinet minister Tony Ianno and Ontario Liberal Senator Marie-P. Poulin confirmed with The Hill Times that they are seeking the leadership of the Liberal Party. Three other prominent Liberals Akaash Maharaj, […]
Liberals get to chair five House committees in 39th Parliament
The Liberals will chair the House Standing Committee on the Status of Women for the first time and four other committees usually chaired by opposition members. There will also be four new House of Commons committees in the 39th Parliament. Chief Government Whip Jay Hill (Prince George-Peace River, B. C.) said the Conservatives decided to […]
Health Minister Clement hires a new communications adviser
Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn hires Roxanne Marchand as his press secretary Federal Health Minister Tony Clement has hired a new communications adviser for his ministerial political office in Ottawa. Tina Arvanitis, 25, started her new job as communications adviser to Mr. Clement recently. Minister Clement’s communications office is led by director of communications Robin Walsh, […]
Tories to create a citizen’s assembly on proportional representation
After the Conservative Speech from the Throne promised to look at electoral reform, NDP leader Jack Layton (Toronto-Danforth, Ont.) said he hopes to see special consultations on proportional representation up and running very quickly. “This House of Commons could have before it, by the end of the year, a recommended system of proportional representation,” Mr. […]
