Budget lock-ups create shallow budget coverage
On Wednesday, Feb. 23, every reporter on Parliament Hill will be herded into a sealed room with the doors barricaded by government agents. No one has ever tried to make a break for it. It’s called a budget lock-up. Journalists are plied with firm guidance from Department of Finance staff until they surrender to the […]
Justice Minister Cotler hires three new political staffers: Irwin Cottler hires director of Parliamentary affairs, Ontario assistant and legislative assistant
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Irwin Cotler, the lead minister on the government’s landmark same-sex marriage legislation which is currently in the House of Commons for second reading, has hired three new ministerial political staffers.They are: Issie Berish, director of Parliamentary affairs; Melissa Cassar, Ontario assistant; and Steeve Azoulay, legislative assistant. A […]
APPOINTMENT NOTICE
Don Mills President The Board of Directors of the Marketing Research and Intelligence Association (MRIA) is pleased to announce that Don Mills, CMRP has been chosen to lead the organization as founding President. Don is President and CEO of Corporate Research Associates Inc., a leading market intelligence firm based in Halifax, with offices in Saint […]
Leadership and nomination races need a dose of sunshine: Leadership and nomination races are indeed like a bedroom, dark and cosy
Just who did John Manley think would agree with him when he suggested that we clean up the cesspool of party leadership and nomination races? “All Canadian citizens, political and apolitical, deserve to know that the person who leads a party, or the candidate whose name appears on the ballot representing the party they favour, […]
Parliament braces for Liberal minority government budget: Top Liberal insider confirms ‘loose agreement’ between Tories and Liberals
On the eve of the first federal budget of this Liberal minority government, the opposition parties are all singing from the same songbook arguing they won’t hesitate to bring down the government if they don’t get what they want, and adding the federal Cabinet has failed to properly engage them in the decision-making process. “What […]
Will Canada miss national pharmaceuticals strategy boat? Commercializing on discoveries requires more than major government grants for researchers
Half way through the First Ministers’ meetings last September that resulted in the Ten Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care, the premiers suddenly dropped their demands for Ottawa to assume responsibility for – and to fully fund – their pharmacare programs.The issue was handed to that increasingly important hybrid level of government – the federal/provincial/territorial […]
Less than 40 per cent turnout expected at Liberal convention
Less than 40 per cent of Grit delegates are expected to attend the Liberal Party’s 2005 biennial policy convention in Ottawa on March 3, chiefly because of the high cost which in some cases may be as high as $3,000. “We’re expecting between 1,500 to 2,000 delegates… Leadership conventions have historically attracted twice to three […]
Orders in Council: All the federal appointments fit to print: Recent government appointments: Robert Wright is ‘proposed’ president of EDC, says Peterson
On Feb. 17, International Trade Minister Jim Peterson proposed the EDC appointment of Robert A. Wright as president and chief executive officer of Export Development Canada (EDC).The proposed appointment will be referred to the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee for review. Mr. Wright is currently the national security adviser to the Prime Minister and […]
THE SPIN DOCTORS: “Will this week’s budget have what it takes to keep the Liberals in power?”
“I’ll go out on a limb here and say yes! “There shouldn’t be any surprises in what Ralph Goodale will present on Wednesday. We’ve been pretty clear that this budget will fund many of the initiatives that we Liberals campaigned on last June – things like health care, the cities agenda, child care and the […]
PARLIAMENTARY CALENDAR: Goodale to table budget at 4 p.m. on Wednesday: Public Policy Forum to hold symposium on accountability, evaluations systems
MONDAY, FEB. 21 Gomery Inquiry – The Gomery Inquiry, or officially, the Commission of Inquiry into the Sponsorship Program and Advertising Activities, headed by Mr. Justice John H. Gomery, will hold hearings in Montreal starting Feb. 28 and until May 6. For more information, call Francois Perreault at 613-992-1834. The Arar Inquiry – The Commission […]
