A new perspective for the Leaders’ Debate Commission
Having watched and worked with Members of Parliament from different parties as a non-partisan parliamentary intern, I came to appreciate the importance of non-party leader MPs as legislators and as advocates for their constituents. Whether it’s participating in committee meetings, advocating for local issues within the House of Commons, or simply helping constituents navigate the […]
On par voter turnout an important outcome in pandemic election
With mail-in ballots now counted, it seems about 17 million Canadians took the time to vote in the 2021 federal election. While some have decried the low voter turnout (62.3 per cent) compared to 2019 (67 per cent), in actuality these numbers indicate that voters had a vested interest in the outcome of this election—even […]
Hope remains for Liberal action on Indigenous promises, but spotty record leaves many advocates skeptical
After an election that saw little talk of Indigenous issues, advocates decry a “scaling down of ambition” over time by the Trudeau Liberals and argue the need for continued public pressure to effect real change—but hope remains. For Legacy of Hope Foundation president Adam North Peigan, there’s mainly fragile faith. “We do have a lot […]
‘We have drive’: Indigenous MPs on their election and their future
Another election has come and gone and there was a record number of Indigenous candidates put forward this time, at least 77 people, with the end results showing that the actual count of Indigenous MPs who will sit in the House has also gone up, to 12 from the 10 elected after the 2019 campaign. […]
Freeland keeping finance, deputy PM roles as Trudeau announces cabinet unveiling in October
He triggered a pandemic election, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his top five post-election priorities will be focused on COVID-19 vaccinations, including setting up new mandatory measures and restrictions. As cases surge in parts of the country, Mr. Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) said his government would get moving on vaccine passports, mandatory vaccinations for federal […]
Among 18 defeated incumbents, British Columbia, Ontario see most unseated MPs; Conservatives drop nine incumbents, Liberal lose eight
Of the estimated 52 new MPs who were elected across Canada on Sept. 20, 18 of them defeated incumbents and two of those 18 were MPs in the 42nd Parliament. The Conservatives lost the most in these contests, seeing nine incumbents ousted, while eight Liberal MPs lost their seats, and one Green. Three of the […]
Alberta energy sector has opportunity with two Liberal MPs elected in province, say lobbyists
Greater Liberal representation in Alberta in the new Parliament could give a stronger voice to the energy sector in Ottawa, according to some lobbyists. “By having someone at the table, I think Albertans’ hope is to have a strong oil and gas sector and have their issues brought to the table and actually be heard, […]
PM snap election call faces challenge by Democracy Watch in Federal Court
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s request in August for a snap election is being challenged in the Federal Court by Democracy Watch, which is seeking a ruling to prevent future snap election calls if they come without a vote of non-confidence in the House. “[Our case is] really focused only on a ruling that it’s illegal […]
‘Sharper knives out earlier’ to bring down O’Toole after election defeat, say some Conservative MPs
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole is in the fight of his political life, and it’s too early to tell whether he will be able to hold onto his job in the face of public attacks from some within the party, say MPs, former senior Conservatives, party operatives, and party insiders. “There seem to be sharper knives […]
Liberals call for collaboration in minority Parliament, while O’Toole fends off challenges
The 2021 election results are in, and Liberal MPs and strategists say Canadians have given Parliamentarians a clear message: get back to work. Some Liberals who spoke to The Hill Times said they were worried that work might be bogged down by acrimony in the House of Commons. By delivering the Liberals another minority government, […]
