Alex Himelfarb handpicks new PSC president: Maria Barrados’ appointment pending review by Parliamentary committee in new year
Maria Barrados couldn’t have been happier with her job at the Auditor General’s Office. For nearly two decades, the veteran public servant was a key figure in the powerful office currently headed by the equally powerful Sheila Fraser. Her official title was assistant auditor general, and that made her part of the many high-profile investigations […]
Martin’s democratic reform team gets to work: ‘a lot of these things willbe implemented in the context of the new House’: Reg Alcock
Paul Martin’s transition team on democratic reform quietly met last Wednesday on the third floor of Centre Block with a renewed sense of purpose. Led by co-chairs Reg Alcock (Winnipeg South, Man.) and Roger Gallaway (Sarnia-Lambton, Ont.), the dozen or so MPs involved in the discussions are about to be thrust into the spotlight after […]
Three Hill staffers plan to fight over Conservative Party nomination in Ottawa West-Nepean, ‘vulnerable’ Liberal riding
Three Hill staffers are planning to fight over the nomination for the proposed new Conservative Party in Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont., considered a highly vulnerable riding by small-c conservatives. The parties will find out if the new party will become a reality on Dec. 6. Alliance staffers Andy Gibbons, 25, a research assistant to Alliance MP […]
Speed up childcare funds, says HRDC Minister Stewart: HRDC minister says $935-million national childcare program needs ‘faster investment funding’
Human Resources Development Minister Jane Stewart wants to speed up the distribution of the new $935-million federal childcare fund set aside last February in the federal budget. The fund, to be spent over five years to reduce the burden of working parents with young children, has been criticized as being “backloaded” as only $25-million has […]
Martin strategists gathering ‘talented pool’ of political staffers for Cabinet ministers
Strategists for Paul Martin, the newly-elected Liberal Party leader who will be sworn in as Canada’s 21[Symbol Not Transcribed] Prime Minister on Dec. 12, have started an “initiative” called “Team Next” to help hire top political staffers for the Martin Cabinet. Ruth Thorkelson, a former executive assistant to Mr. Martin and currently vice-president of government […]
Ottawa Centre riding Liberal membership second biggest
The Liberal Riding Association for Ottawa-Centre recently became the second largest in Ontario as Grit candidates prepare to fight for the highly-coveted nomination next week. Memberships are up, due to the nomination race that is currently underway after the seat was left vacant by Liberal Mac Harb who was summoned to the Upper Chamber. Berry […]
Field of dreams? Grits looking to field over 90 women candidates in next election
A minimum of 30 per cent of the Liberal Party’s candidates in the next general election expected to be called in April 2004 should be women, says the co-chair of Prime Minister-in-Waiting Paul Martin’s new election campaign committee. “In my mind I hope that there is at least 25 to 30 per cent women candidates […]
Martin’s transition team
– Last Friday, Paul Martin unveiled the transition team he put in place to help him put his stamp on the government, create the next Liberal Cabinet and staff the Prime Minister’s Office, among other major priorities. They are: – Elly Alboim–Senior adviser from Earnscliffe Strategy Group, former CBC TV Hill bureau chief. – Michele […]
The spin doctors
“Is Jean Chretien wearing out his welcome by leaving on Dec. 12 and not letting Paul Martin attend the annual Commonwealth meeting in Africa?” Warren Kinsella Liberal strategist “No. Don’t be ridiculous. The guy was elected for a five-year term, and he’s leaving after three years and a few days. “Where does Paco get these […]
Canada’s aging population: time for a plan of action: with a massive demographic shift on our horizon, Canada must immediately prepare
SAINT JOHN, N.B.–With a massive demographic shift on our horizon, Canada must immediately prepare our social institutions for the coming of age. Statistics Canada has found that between 1991 and 2001, the number of Canadians aged 65 or older increased by 12 per cent. This trend will increase more rapidly as of 2011, when the […]
