Minister Vanclief hires a new executive assistant: Sylvie Millette LeDuc says a secret to a minister’s success is a great team
When Christine Donoghue decided last month to leave her job as executive assistant to Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief to move to a job inside the Department of Agriculture, Mr. Vanclief didn’t have to look too far for her replacement. He decided to hire Sylvie Millette LeDuc who was working in his ministerial office as a […]
Happy with Hoy
Regarding Claire Hoy’s column, “Diverse opinions in the media?” (The Hill Times, Feb. 3). This was a pleasure to read. J. Visser R
Politicking is bad for your health?
For the second time in a few weeks, we have a case of a Liberal MP suffering a heart attack. Fortunately, for the second time, the prognosis is good. Robert Bertrand, the member for Pontiac-Gatineau-Labelle, Que., suffered cardiac problems a week ago, but his administrative assistant Pierrette Bellefeuille says it was a mild one and […]
“Will Sheila Copps give Paul Martin a run for his money?”
Warren Kinsella Liberal strategist “This isn’t the first time Sheila Copps has run for the leadership of a party. And, no, I’m not talking about 1990. “How about eight years before that — when she was an Ontario MPP? She was a young, new Liberal MPP, running against the establishment candidate — the one all […]
Hypocrisy At Its Finest
On April 28, 1998, I stood outside the House of Commons and asked MPs to vote their conscience that night during the controversial vote on Hepatitis C compensation. I was thrown out of the House of Commons following the vote when I clapped sarcastically after witnessing an incredible event. One by one, federal Liberal MPs […]
Copps has plenty of sass
For the best part of the next year, the politician who may do the most good to and for Canadians could very well be Sheila Copps. Nothing done by her as Minister of Canadian Heritage is likely to make any great difference to ordinary Canadians. The benefit Copps may do to Canadians may come instead […]
Bill to bring in most extensive changes in 40 years: Also brings in safeguards to guard against patronage hiring
The Liberals finally introduced their sweeping omnibus bill on Feb. 6 which will dramatically rewrite a number of laws governing the federal bureaucracy, the workplace of some 240,000 federal public servants scattered across the country. If passed, Bill C-25 – an Act to Modernize Employment and Labour Relations in the Public Service – would be […]
Beaumier’s trip to Iraq
Regarding last week’s article, “MP Beaumier says Iraq trip attempt to bring ‘a human face’” (The Hill Times, Feb. 10). Two unanswered questions remain after perusing this article. First, was Colleen Beaumier used as a propaganda tool by the Iraqis? The answer is contained in the text: obviously the Iraqis had very little to do […]
I’ve got Paul Martin on the brain: The glory and the hazards of being Paul Martin, leading contender
OTTAWA–As with most everyone else in Ottawa these days, I got Paul Martin on the brain. No, I’m not one of his confidants, strategists or “close personal friendsTM.” Indeed, it sometimes feels as if I’m among the few in this burg who ever admit to such lack of intimate connection. But when you’re in the […]
Big money buys access: Nick Taylor
OTTAWA–Nick Taylor, a former long-time Alberta Liberal Senator and party bagman, says big corporate money plays a critical role in getting access to the country’s top policy-makers, adding that sometimes this access is translated into real influence. Despite the fact that Prime Minister Jean Chretien (Saint-Maurice, Que.) says he wants to end “the perception” that […]
