Pandemic could help level playing field for parties if more resources shift to digital, say politicos
Waging an election campaign amid the pandemic could help level the playing field for more cash-strapped parties if the resources for fighting over seats were to shift online, say some strategists. The pandemic is expected to test campaigns’ ability to develop or incorporate creative ways of getting out the vote under public health restrictions and […]
Remote voting is the right tool for now, but should stay temporary: MPs
With more than two dozen remote votes by Zoom now under their belts, Members of Parliament say they’re adjusting to the House of Commons’ new system as a necessary tool in extraordinary times, but are opposed to making the change permanent, noting the distance it facilitates is being felt on a personal level, both within […]
As Canada braces for civil unrest in U.S., feds likely to rely on contacts built over Trump years, says former PMO staffer
For nearly four years, Canada has had a team to help manage the country’s relations with its southern neighbour. Diamond Isinger, a former PMO staffer, was part of the original three-person team assigned to prepare for the transition under a Trump administration. Ms. Isinger said the team will no doubt be keeping a close watch […]
Let’s not read too much into byelection results
Following last week’s byelections in Toronto Centre and York Centre, political pundits were quick to analyze how the results may impact the next federal general election. But while I can appreciate the temptation to read more into the outcomes, byelections have always been a different beast. For one, they’re incredibly unpredictable. The low voter turnout, […]
Elections Canada expecting between four and five million mail-in ballots in the next federal election
If the next federal election happens before the COVID-19 pandemic is over, Elections Canada is expecting that between four and five million Canadians will cast their votes using mail-in ballots, a huge increase over the 55,000 mail-in ballots used in the 2019 general election. “At PROC [Procedures and House Affairs, two weeks ago], the CEO […]
‘Choose your poison’ is Trudeau’s dilemma if he wants to decide timing of next election, say pollsters
With the Christmas season fast approaching and the country in the midst of the second wave of COVID-19, pundits say it’s highly unlikely now that there will be an election this fall, but say that picking a time for the next federal election is like choosing “poison,” with each timeframe carrying its own pitfalls. “This […]
A quartet of former NDP MPs win seats in B.C. election
Four MPs who sat together on the NDP benches during the 42nd Parliament will take a spot on the governing side of the B.C. legislative assembly after their party’s landslide win in the Oct. 24 provincial election. Nathan Cullen, Fin Donnelly, Sheila Malcolmson, and Murray Rankin all won their respective ridings in the election, which […]
NDP MP Blaikie urges quick response to Elections Canada pandemic-related reform asks
After attempting to jumpstart a conversation on electoral reforms needed amid the pandemic during the summer to no avail, NDP MP Daniel Blaikie says he hopes to see a quick response to Elections Canada’s recent recommendations. “It’s frustrating. We’ve known about the nature of this Parliament since the election; that it was a minority Parliament. […]
Given the givens, it’s no wonder Trudeau Liberals would eye election call
OTTAWA—Maybe it is the pandemic prison we have been in for a while that has limited travel out of Ottawa. Maybe we are all really starting to drink the same bathwater. But it certainly seems the federal Liberals are more inclined to push for an election sooner rather than later. Of course, they publicly say […]
One hopeful Tory candidate wants the Ottawa-Beijing relationship on the ballot
A former foreign affairs correspondent seeking the Conservative nomination in an Ottawa-area Liberal-held riding wants the government’s handling of the Canada-China relationship to be an election issue. Traditionally, foreign policy issues have played a marginal role in Canadian elections. “They say foreign policy never is a big deal in Canadian elections since the Second World […]
