Senators polishing their image, one amendment at a time
OTTAWA—My, how the news about Canada’s Senate is changing, maybe for the better. While it would be naïve and premature to hope there won’t be more stories about misbehaving Senators, it is temporarily enjoyable to see Senate news focused on matters unrelated to abuse of power or the public purse. Whether by design or complete […]
Communications staff changes for ministers Duncan, Philpott
Science Minister Kirsty Duncan has hired a new press secretary for her ministerial office, replacing Stéfanie Power who had been serving as an interim press secretary to the minister. Ms. Power took a break from her role as a communications adviser with the Innovation, Science, and Economic Development deputy minister’s ministerial and media services branch […]
Portrait gallery advocates ‘disappointed’ but understand rationale for indigenous centre at old U.S. embassy
While advocates for a national portrait gallery say they’re “disappointed” the federal government is expected to turn the old U.S. embassy in Ottawa into an indigenous cultural centre, they say they understand why and plan to continue pushing for portrait gallery somewhere in the capital. “I, of course, would have preferred the national portrait gallery […]
Opposition MPs concerned by pace of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Inquiry
The first testimony-gathering hearings have taken place, but concerns remain over the pace so far of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, and opposition MPs say they’re disappointed the inquiry won’t be holding another hearing until the fall. “[It’s] a significant concern that we’re not going to be doing more throughout the […]
Trudeau pins hopes on new technologies for jobs growth
TORONTO—The Trudeau government is pinning huge hopes for its promised goods on jobs and economic growth on Canada’s success in developing the industries that create new technologies that will be essential if the climate change goals of the Paris Accord and beyond are to be achieved. Several billion dollars have already been earmarked for this […]
Trudeau making cannon fodder of rookie ministers
MONTREAL—Almost two years into her mandate, Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly has clocked more time on her feet in the House of Commons defending the indefensible appointment of a close member of the Liberal family to the office of commissioner of official languages than advancing transformative policies. For the past three weeks the heritage minister has […]
New political staffers in Winnipeg, Toronto ministers’ regional offices
Two more staffers have been hired to work in two of the 16 ministers’ regional offices across the country, which serve all of cabinet but organizationally are listed under the office of the public services and procurement minister. Dovejot Parmar is now a special assistant for regional affairs in the regional office in Toronto, having […]
PMO deputy comms director Duchesneau acting as chief to Minister Chagger
Olivier Duchesneau, deputy director of communications in the Prime Minister’s Office, has stepped away from the top office and is currently acting as interim chief of staff to Bardish Chagger in her role as Small Business and Tourism minister. Ms. Chagger is also the government House leader. Her chief of staff for Small Business and […]
Trudeau could shuffle cabinet this summer, prorogue Parliament in fall, say insiders
PARLIAMENT HILL—With the summer break coming almost halfway through the Liberal government’s four-year mandate, speculation of a summer cabinet shuffle is swirling, along with the possibility of a fall prorogation, and sources say it could be a chance to hit the reset button and prep the front bench for the next election in 2019. “This […]
Ministers Gould, Sohi name new executive, regional assistants
Democratic Institutions Minister Karina Gould recently hired two new assistants to work in her ministerial office. Margaret “Meg” Jaques has been tapped to serve as the minister’s executive assistant, having previously been a Hill aide to Ms. Gould in her capacity as the Liberal MP for Burlington, Ont. Ms. Gould was elected for the first […]
