O’Toole’s Conservatives missed winning government by 98,740 votes in 42 ridings, Hill Times analysis
Erin O’Toole’s Conservatives could have unseated Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals and formed government after the Sept. 20 election if they had won 98,740 more votes in 42 ridings in different regions of the county, according to an analysis by The Hill Times. The 42 closest losses for the Conservatives included 20 in Ontario; 10 […]
Liberal MP Mendès challenging Rota for House Speaker’s position
Four-term Quebec Liberal MP and assistant deputy speaker Alexandra Mendès is challenging Anthony Rota to be the Speaker of the House of Commons. “I am writing to you today because I would like to ask for your support. I am letting my name stand for the Speaker of the House of Commons’ election, and I […]
‘It’s like getting thrown into the deep end of the pool’: rookie MPs navigate new House waters
Parliament’s newest MPs say advice from veteran politicians and lessons from the House orientation session helped them navigate their post-election transition period, but some also say there’s no “bridge” to connect former and current offices. New Conservative MP Ryan Williams, who won Bay of Quinte, Ont., by 4.8 per cent margin over former Liberal MP […]
First two-spirit MP aims to be architect of change, speak up for Indigenous, LGBTQ2+ voices
Newly elected New Democrat Blake Desjarlais didn’t always want to be a politician. The 27 year old, who recently won the riding of Edmonton Griesbach, Alta., originally had his sights set on becoming an architect, following in the footsteps of Indigenous trailblazer Douglas Cardinal. “I wanted to show people in North America that Indigenous people […]
The Conservatives’ post- election inquiry and the future of Canada’s politics
OTTAWA—Had the Conservatives won the election, what would Canadians be expecting now? People who should know say Erin O’Toole is indeed a centrist, and, despite winning the leadership by appealing to the Conservatives’ solidly right and social conservative factions, he was unshakable in his view that the key to winning power was to steer the […]
Trudeau, O’Toole, Singh have some soul-searching to do in light election outcome
Despite all their fervent campaigning, all the beseeching policy pledges to persuade undecided voters, all the millions of dollars poured into advertising, the electorate largely opted out of rewarding any of Canada’s political parties this election. Instead, voters delivered a Parliament that was virtually unchanged from the 2019 contest. As such, all the parties and […]
Explaining a fundraising folly
OAKVILLE, ONT.—It’s hard to believe that a single fundraising letter could cause a storm of controversy. But it actually happened. About a month ago, the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party landed in hot water after it sent out a fundraising letter in an envelope labelled “important: invoice enclosed.” The problem is, the letter didn’t actually contain […]
For someone who was ‘silenced,’ May is speaking loud and clear
OTTAWA—Someone should come and collect Elizabeth May before she opens her mouth. Again. A week after Annamie Paul’s resignation, Elizabeth May penned an op-ed in the Toronto Star in a naked, passive-aggressive attempt to excuse herself from culpability in the Green Party’s ignominious demise. In other words, May played the victim. It was a repugnant […]
Indigenous, historically marginalized groups felt the brunt of election disenfranchisement, say advocates
Although voter turnout overall wasn’t as bad as some predicted, reduced polling stations in densely populated urban areas and remote Indigenous communities, along with the lack of voting opportunities on post-secondary campuses were substantial hits to the franchise of some marginalized groups in last month’s federal election. Elections Canada says it’s looking into at least […]
‘The horizon, though still murky, was beginning to brighten’: defeated MPs reflect on losing their seats
Eighteen incumbents were defeated at the polls this election, and while the taste of defeat can be bitter and lonely—even more so thanks to COVID restrictions this time around—there are bright spots, too, as outgoing MPs turn their sights to life post-politics and reflect on their time in the House. Of the 18 defeated incumbents, […]
