New operations director joins Fisheries Minister Wilkinson’s team
New Fisheries and Oceans Minister Jonathan Wilkinson has hired Laura Mitchell to serve as his new director of operations. Ms. Mitchell joins the new minister’s team straight from Environment Minister Catherine McKenna’s office, where she was since September 2017 a parliamentary affairs adviser and assistant to the minister’s parliamentary secretary, a role Mr. Wilkinson filled […]
Parties boosting internal security in face of foreign interference fears
Although they won’t get into specifics, the country’s main national political parties all say they’re boosting their internal security to protect against foreign interference in next year’s federal election. But, according to critics and experts, the real burden rests with the Liberal government to do the necessary work to ensure the 2019 election remains free […]
Quebec-related cabinet changes ‘clear signal’ Trudeau’s Liberals want to make gains in province in 2019: strategists
Recent cabinet changes impacting ministers from Quebec indicate how crucial the province and its 78 seats will be in the 2019 federal election, say strategists, with Quebec set to be a top target for all of the major parties. The July 18 cabinet shuffle saw the number of federal ministers from Quebec jump by one, […]
Boutin takes over as chief of staff to Revenue Minister Lebouthillier
National Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier has promoted Bernard Boutin to take over as her new chief of staff in light of Josée Guilmette’s recent departure from the Hill. Ms. Guilmette had been chief of staff to Ms. Lebouthillier since December 2015 and moved to Ottawa from Québec City for the job. She marked her last […]
Still troubled by government’s overall approach to ensuring Canada’s businesses remain competitive
In April 2018, the Senate’s Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources released an interim report on decarbonizing heavy industry as part of its ongoing study on Canada’s transition to a lower-carbon economy. We heard from dozens of witnesses representing emission-intensive trade-exposed industries such as iron and steel, cement, aluminum, fertilizer and others. These […]
Staffers on the move: chief of staff change for Health Minister Petitpas Taylor
Outside the many shuffle-related cabinet staffing changes of late, plenty of other political aides are on the move, including in Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor’s office, which recently saw chief of staff Geneviève Hinse depart. Ms. Hinse had been chief of staff in the health minister’s office since the beginning, having started under then-minister Jane […]
Liberals start nomination process for 25 unheld ridings
The federal Liberal Party opened up applications for potential candidates in 25 unheld ridings in late June, the first formal step towards candidacy for Grits in 2019, according to the party’s website. Those who want to run for the party in those opposition-held ridings can now formally ask the Liberal Party to send them […]
From tiny agency of six to department-in-the-making: elevating the Status of Women
Despite the Trudeau government’s efforts to brand itself as feminist and to transform Status of Women Canada from an agency to a full department, critics say it’s an open question whether Ottawa has elevated the portfolio of the Status of Women to a place where it has a similar level of prestige to other files. […]
Min. Goodale loses adviser to Morneau
A plethora of political staffers are on the move on the Hill after last month’s cabinet shuffle, but before diving in to that, Hill Climbers is taking a quick dip into a few other tidbits of staffing news. Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale has recently seen three of his political aides depart, including director of communications Dan […]
Confident and well respected, Trade Diversification Minister Jim Carr’s business roots will help in new role, say insiders
Political insiders say Jim Carr’s confidence and great communication skills make him a smart fit and his new title as the international trade diversification minister is a signal to the U.S. that Canada will double down on new trade deals as a way to mitigate the uncertainty of NAFTA. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) […]
