NDP ‘under the gun’ to name candidates, say politicos, as they trail Grits, Tories on campaign slate
The NDP has 12 per cent of its candidates confirmed for the 2019 election, far behind the 61.5 per cent nominated under the Conservative banner and 50 per cent for the Liberals. It puts the New Democrats in a tough spot, say some analysts, but the party’s ex-national director said isn’t yet a problem. The […]
Observers eager to see bills on Indigenous languages, child services passed, but legislative time-crunch a cause for concern
Ten weeks remain before Parliament rises, and two long-awaited bills on Indigenous languages and child welfare remain in the early stages of the legislative process, with many observers eager to see them passed and others concerned a late-stage rush could mean less openness to broader changes being called for. Loss of language, familial disconnect, and […]
Veterans Minister MacAulay brings chief of staff Gallant to new office
In any minister’s office there’s arguably no working relationship more crucial than the one between the minister and their chief of staff, and in turn, recently-named Veterans Affairs and Associate Defence Minister Lawrence MacAulay has brought his over to his new office. Guy Gallant took over as chief of staff to Mr. MacAulay as the […]
Prime Minister Trudeau has his eyes wide shut
As Members of Parliament, elected officials are entitled to a variety of health-care benefits. This includes a drug plan, hearing aids, hospital benefits, dental care, and—importantly—vision. Perhaps Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in need of availing himself of the latter. Because when everyone else is seeing something differently than you do, it may be time […]
Ministers Duclos, Goodale, and Bains add to political staff teams
Families, Children, and Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos has a new senior adviser in his office, Jean-Luc Lavoie. A former Quebec Liberal staffer, Mr. Lavoie started on the job in Mr. Duclos’ office on Feb. 25. He previously spent a number of years working for Quebec Liberal Member of the National Assembly Sébastien Proulx, starting […]
Justice Minister Lametti hires director of litigation
Justice Minister and Attorney General David Lametti has named a new director of litigation in his office, with Jim Kapches moving over from National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan’s office to take on the role as of Feb. 25. Until recently, Mr. Kapches had been working away as a policy adviser to Mr. Sajjan since January […]
Take off the kid gloves, prime minister
When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau finally came out of the bushes to respond to a month-long barrage of accusations, communication and misunderstanding were at the root of the prime minister’s messaging. It was the repeat of the kid-gloves treatment he used when dealing with the initial resignations of Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott. They are […]
Under fire over SNC-Lavalin crisis, Trudeau still has ‘credibility’ to rebound, say strategists
Though the loss of two high-profile ministers threatens to undercut the Liberal Party’s pitch for a new style of politics, their decision to remain in caucus appears to send a signal that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau can salvage the situation and still has the credibility to recover from this crisis, according to political observers. At […]
One in, one out, one promoted in science and sport minister’s office
Science and Sport Minister Kirsty Duncan has a new executive assistant in her office, after promoting her old one, Hallie Stacey-Sullivan, to instead serve as a special assistant for communications in her office. Ms. Stacey-Sullivan first joined the minister’s office last fall and before then had spent roughly a year prior as a Hill assistant […]
Can Trudeau solve the mystery of millennial voters again this time?
OTTAWA—We’re spending a lot of time and energy trying to figure out what motivates young people and what might get them out to vote. It’s not surprising since millennials will make up the largest cohort (about 37 per cent) of eligible voters in the October federal election. It’s also notable because the upsurge in young […]
