Copps boasts support of 26 MPs and Senators: Former PMO strategist Jean Carle helping out on Sheila Copps’ bid
OTTAWA–Heritage Minister Sheila Copps, the only officially declared candidate in the Liberal leadership race so far, says at least 26 MPs and Senators support her bid to replace outgoing Prime Minister Jean Chretien. “I have six MPs and 26 caucus Members [total],” she said in an interview last week with The Hill Times. The minister […]
MPs get $3.3-million boost to office budgets: House budget increases to $325-million, up $100-million in 10 years
OTTAWA–MPs will benefit from a three per cent boost to their operating budgets next year and what amounts to an increase of $3.3-million in the total House of Commons budget. The move is expected to allow MPs to stay better connected to their constituents. These numbers were buried in the main estimates tabled by Treasury […]
Herb-al remedies…
Now that Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal has officially taken himself out of the running for the Liberal leadership, as anticipated here last week, the question is, who will the government’s B.C. political lieutenant back against Paul Martin? He will get involved somehow – the taking over of his riding executive by Martinites last year […]
Lyle Vanclief’s Press Secretary
When Hill Climbers profiled political staffers in Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief’s office a few weeks ago, one staffer, Donald Boulanger, who was supposed to be interviewed by Climbers was unavailable because of a scheduling conflict. So, Hill Climbers contacted him again last week for an interview. Mr. Boulanger is the press secretary to Minister Vanclief. […]
So, Saddam has to go: For the sake of his people
OTTAWA–Iraq’s President Saddam Hussein has to go! He has to go for the sake of the people of Iraq. They have endured far too much suffering for far too long. His departure will not only end the Iraqi people’s daily suffering but bring back economic buoyancy, which should be the state of affairs in Iraq […]
A distinct election for the distinct society: Charest tends to shine on trail and Landry has never campaigned as leader
QUEBEC CITY–It was only a few short months ago that the polls and politicos were predicting the PQ would not only be defeated in the upcoming election, but it would be crushed. The PQ would be like the federal Tories under Kim Campbell, decimated and left with barely enough members to occupy a tiny corner […]
Not so free estimates…
Time was when the government’s spending estimates were a news bonanza — a veritable feast of stories just awaiting for the picking. The lock-up for their release a couple of days or so after the budget was a major event. A combination of factors has taken a lot of the oomph out of the estimates […]
Two Senior Liberal Staffers leave
Raj Chahal, special policy adviser to Prime Minister Jean Chretien, left his job last week and will now join the influential law firm of Bennett Jones. Mr. Chahal will work out of their offices in Toronto and Calgary but continue to reside in Ottawa. The 34-year-old Calgarian who started his last gig at PMO in […]
It all about perspective
TORONTO–One of the unfortunate realities in the media over the years is that special interest groups have tended to enjoy a free ride. Unlike governments, for example, which have quite properly been subjected to continuing scrutiny, the claims made by many special interest groups have tended to be reported and accepted at face value. This […]
P.E.I. Grit leadership convention on April 4 and April 5
U.S. Ambassador Cellucci talks to CBC Radio in Ottawa guest this week MONDAY, MARCH 3 House Sitting — The House is not sitting this week, but will resume sitting again on Monday, March 17, after a two-week break in the 301 constituencies and trips abroad. For more information, please call the Government House Leader’s Office […]
