Next election shaping up to be a much more contested affair than originally predicted
OTTAWA—In light of the recent code of conduct clarifications around registered lobbyists and political commentary, I have arrived at the conclusion that the risk level involved is inversely proportional to the actual value of the strategic advice that is being offered, essentially being wrong is the new being right. So, if giving bad advice is […]
Conservative party leads nominees, NDP lags with quarter of ridings confirmed
Five months out from the federal election, the Conservative Party has the most candidates named, its 277 nominees far ahead of the governing Liberals’ 197 candidates, according to the latest numbers from their parties. That means the Tories have filled 82 per cent of the 338 ridings needed to offer a full slate. Maxime Bernier’s […]
Doing politics differently? Sure, Jan
OTTAWA—Often considered to be the season of change and rebirth, spring has finally arrived in the capital and that is evident for no party more than the Liberals, for whom the comings and goings reveal their true regard for the women in their ranks. Last week, Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott announced their candidacy for […]
How Canada can get its tourism strategy right
Last year, Canada welcomed over 21 million international visitors—a little more than half of our entire population. While that number may sound impressive, and is indeed increasing on an annual basis, Canada has fallen behind our international counterparts when it comes to the pace of tourism growth. Canada once ranked in the top 10 destinations […]
It’s like ‘Michael Ignatieff all over again’: Liberals say reported talks on Trudeau succession plan ‘ridiculous,’ and must be stopped
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals may be trailing the Conservatives in opinion polls four months ahead of an election, but talk of a replacing Mr. Trudeau should the Grits lose in the fall is politically “unhelpful,” “ridiculous,” and “self-serving” on the part of the people engaged in the backroom strategizing, say Liberals. “I thought it […]
Director-level changes in intergovernmental affairs minister’s office
The intergovernmental and northern affairs and internal trade minister’s office—currently being overseen by Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett—has seen some recent changes, including Guillaume Julien’s exit as director of policy. Mr. Julien marked his last day in the office the week before last; he first joined the team under Dominic […]
How often have Trump, Trudeau been in contact?
Trump and Trudeau Talks Infogram
Conservatives lead in big-donor fundraising in seven provinces
The Conservatives led fundraising in seven of 10 provinces among big donors during the first three months this year, with the greatest hauls in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia adding up to $4.3-million. That’s more than half of the $8-million raised in a record first quarter for the Conservatives, according to last month’s numbers from […]
The Jane and Jody show gets picked up for another season and it’s going to be worth watching
OTTAWA—The Jody and Jane show lives on. Earlier this week, former Liberal cabinet ministers Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott announced they would in fact be running as Independents in this fall’s federal election. More power to them, as winning a seat as an unaffiliated candidate in the Canadian Parliament is damn hard. According to CBC’s […]
‘Don’t mention the war’: what message are the government, military delivering?
OTTAWA—Over the weekend, I was riding my bike beside the Rideau Canal and I passed a troop of young soldiers. As I passed, I thanked them for their service. Others said nothing. It is disappointing, but not surprising. Our men and women in the military don’t get much recognition beyond Remembrance Day, or when the […]
