NAFTA deal a win for Trudeau, but not a get-out-of-jail-free card
OTTAWA—Justin Trudeau has a trade deal. Over the weekend, Canada and the United States were able to come to a preliminary agreement on a successor to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), henceforth to be known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). While its acronym could be confused with a Village People song popular […]
Parties ‘doing more’ to boost awareness of mental health resources, Liberals to hire HR adviser for staffers
The parties with the largest presence on the Hill say they are upping efforts to bring awareness of mental health resources available to political staffers working on Parliament Hill, including the planned hiring of a human resources adviser for Liberal employees. Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) spokesperson Eleanore Catenaro said via email that the Liberal Party has […]
Trudeau touts new trade deal as victory for three countries
OTTAWA—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday touted the benefits of the new trade pact binding the three North American neighbours, while conceding that the ground it gave to the U.S. on greater market access to its dairy industry was not “ideal.” Speaking to reporters at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa, Mr. Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) […]
Communications staff shakeup for Lebouthillier and Joly
Canada’s National Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier has a new director of communications and a new press secretary at the helm in her ministerial office. Christina Lazarova has entered the senior staffing ranks on the Hill after landing the job of director of communications and parliamentary affairs to Ms. Lebouthillier. Until recently, Ms. Lazarova was working […]
New directors named for ministers Petitpas Taylor and MacAulay
Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor promoted Adam Exton to take over as director of parliamentary affairs in her office last month. Up until recently, Mr. Exton was a senior parliamentary affairs adviser and Ontario regional affairs adviser to Ms. Petitpas Taylor. He joined the health minister’s office from the get-go as a special assistant for […]
Quebec expected to be two-way race in 2019, all eyes on Québec City region, say strategists
Quebec is on course to be a two-way race between the Liberals and Conservatives in the 2019 federal election, say strategists, and the Québec City region is likely to be a hotly contested battleground amongst the federal parties. Despite the reunion of the Bloc Québécois on Sept. 17—with five MPs who had split from the […]
Floor-crossing MP never raised concerns over used fighter jets purchase with procurement minister: spokesperson
Ontario MP Leona Alleslev cited the Liberal government’s defence record in announcing her decision to cross the floor from the Liberals to the Conservatives last week, but a spokesperson for Public Services and Procurement Minister Carla Qualtrough says the MP never raised questions over Canada’s purchase of used Australian FA-18 fighter jets with the minister while […]
Saini leaves PMO to become chief of staff to Employment Minister Hajdu
Sabina Saini has been deployed from the Prime Minister’s Office to take over as Employment, Workforce Development, and Labour Minister Patty Hajdu’s new chief of staff. Previously deputy director of policy and legislative affairs in the PMO, Ms. Saini marked her first day in charge of Ms. Hajdu’s office on Sept. 17, the same day […]
Free advice to Liberals: forget about Harper
OAKVILLE, ONT.—I have a confession to make; sometimes, when doing “punditry,” I feel a little bit uncomfortable when I openly criticize political party strategists. Why? Well, even though my criticisms might be based on a reasonable analysis, the fact remains I’m still on the outside looking in, meaning party strategists possess important stuff I lack, […]
“The House is back for the last fall sitting before the October 2019 election. What will be your party’s No. 1 focus this fall?”
Cameron Ahmad Liberal strategist “Members of the Liberal caucus held their annual summer retreat just a few weeks ago in Saskatoon. Their discussions focused squarely on how this government will continue finding solutions to real problems, and make life better for all Canadians. “That is exactly what we will do over the next few months, […]
