OECD praise of ‘model’ skilled labour track system a rejection of anti-immigrant stereotypes, says Kwan
Canada’s high marks from an international organization for its skilled-labour migration system can serve as a rebuke against anti-immigration attitudes in Canada leading into the election, says the NDP’s immigration critic—an environment that is already expected to be ugly. “Canada has not only the largest in terms of numbers, but also the most elaborate and […]
Political aides exit offices of ministers Freeland, Carr
The pre-campaign summer staff shake-up continues, with a couple of recent political staff departures for both Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland and International Trade Diversification Minister Jim Carr. Deputy director of parliamentary affairs and policy adviser Sebastian Cooper bade farewell to Ms. Freeland’s office at the beginning of July. Mr. Cooper had been working in […]
Liberal nomination in Pierrefonds-Dollard expected to be multi-ballot, nail-biter contest, say candidates
The Liberal nomination contest in the coveted Quebec riding of Pierrefonds-Dollard officially opened up only last week, but already 6,000 members have been signed up and contestants expect a nail-biter competition that won’t be decided on the first ballot. “There’s some really well-organized people who’ve been working hard on the ground,” said Kim Manning, a […]
Shorter fall campaign anticipated by many political watchers
There are less than 10 weeks left until voters go to the polls as scheduled on Oct. 21 and it’s an open question as to when the federal election campaign will officially begin, but many political observers anticipate a shorter campaign this fall, close to the 36-day minimum. “What is abundantly clear from everything I’ve […]
Health Minister’s director of communications exits for private sector
Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor bade farewell to her director of communications of the last year and a half, Mathieu Filion, last week. Now headed for the private sector, Mr. Filion moved from Montreal to Ottawa in early 2016 to work for the then-newly elected Liberal government, starting out as director of communications to Families, […]
As eco-fascism takes hold, Canada’s leaders have yet to prove they’re up to the fight
OTTAWA—Many have been ringing the alarm about the terrifying connections between climate change, economic anxiety, and white nationalism movements and ideology. Eco-fascism, as it is otherwise known, is no longer a theory that resides in the depths of seedy internet forums. It is a fatal threat that must be challenged in the open. The El […]
Liberals trigger ‘national electoral urgency’ clause that allows party to bypass nomination rules, 10 weeks from election
With the next federal election only 10 weeks away and about 100 ridings without nominated candidates, the federal Liberals have triggered a “national electoral urgency” clause that allows the party to bypass the nomination process and appoint candidates directly, making some would-be candidates nervous they might not get a fair shot in the nomination contests. […]
Indigenous leaders flag climate change, language, justice issues as priorities heading into election
Some Indigenous leaders say climate change is one of the most important issues, if not the top issue, in the upcoming 2019 federal election. Status concerns, language rights, restorative justice, changing the relationship between the Crown and Indigenous peoples, and other top public policy issues were also flagged as key election issues for the Indigenous […]
Directors depart offices of Minister Sohi and Minister Hajdu
Canada’s Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi has bid farewell to his director of parliamentary affairs, Sandra Schwartz, while Employment, Workforce Development, and Labour Minister Patty Hajdu is down a director of operations. Up until late July—July 26, to be exact—Ms. Schwartz had been parliamentary affairs director in the natural resources minister’s office for the last […]
Scheer’s abandoned pledge to quickly balance budget if elected a ‘confirmation’ Liberal plan is working, says Grit MP Easter
The Conservative leader recently pulled back on his 2017 promise to balance the federal budget in two years if elected, and the Liberal chair of the House Finance Committee says that’s a sign Andrew Scheer thinks the government’s current approach is working. A July 30 Globe and Mail editorial points out that “in May, Andrew Scheer […]
