Kaufmann now senior policy adviser to Health Minister Philpott
Liberal staffer Brian Kaufmann, who has expertise in indigenous affairs issues, recently shifted roles, bidding farewell to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett’s office to join Health Minister Jane Philpott’s political staff team. Mr. Kaufmann has spent the last year working as a policy and regional affairs adviser to Ms. Bennett, but on Jan. […]
‘Risky’ coffee shop tour brings Trudeau back on brand: strategists
Forget the headlines; the prime minister’s tour of coffee shops and community centres this month has been a winning political tactic, say pollsters and political strategists. Justin Trudeau’s (Papineau, Que.) campaign-style tour across the eastern part of the country before his cabinet retreat in Calgary this week may be unprecedented in recent times. A handful of political […]
Trump changed the game for Trudeau, but the heavy lifting is just beginning
MONTREAL—Stéphane Dion was the first Canadian political casualty of the Donald Trump era. Significant parts of Justin Trudeau’s agenda could yet be next. Dion’s removal from his foreign affairs cabinet post was the central piece of this month’s cabinet shuffle. Trump’s inauguration provided a rationale for precipitating the former Liberal leader’s political retirement and replacing […]
Blaney campaign managed by long-time aide, former Harper PMO assistant
Long-time aide Pierre-Luc Jean is helping run Quebec Conservative MP Steven Blaney’s bid for Conservative leadership as campaign manager, but other details of who’s working behind the scenes are few, with Mr. Jean saying he instead wants to focus “on delivering results.” “Let the others spin about their campaign. Our campaign is doing well, and […]
New government whip Pablo Rodriguez promises ‘collaborative’ caucus management style
Newly appointed Chief Government Whip Pablo Rodriguez is pledging to bring his own style to the gig of House enforcer, promising a balance between the independence of MPs and seeing the government’s legislative agenda though the Commons, but that’ll be put to the test with a wave of priority bills on the horizon. The returning […]
‘It’s all hands on deck,’ Leslie’s role signals new approach to Trump administration, America’s shifting geopolitical outlook
The decision to reassign chief government whip Andrew Leslie to the foreign affairs portfolio as parliamentary secretary, with additional Canada-U.S. responsibilities, adds to the message the government’s been sending over its desire to have “all hands on deck” when it comes to U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, say political observers. But the shakeup of roles tailored […]
“Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was on a cross-country tour. What’s stood out to you most so far?”
Kate Purchase Liberal strategist “This tour has allowed Canadians—of all ages, across the political spectrum and the country—to have their say and to ask tough questions of the prime minister and the government. It has also been an opportunity for the prime minister to continue to hear firsthand the challenges that Canadians are facing in […]
CTV’s David Taylor now D. Comms to Justice Minister Wilson-Raybould
Former CTV national foreign editor David Taylor has joined the political staff ranks on Parliament Hill and marked his first day on the job as director of communications to Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould on Jan. 11. Mr. Taylor has been a foreign editor for CTV National News in Toronto since 2011, responsible for assigning CTV’s team of […]
Harper’s Conservative Party fundraising role appears unprecedented, expected to mobilize base
Former prime ministers have helped out party fundraising efforts in the past, but Stephen Harper’s role as a board member for the Conservative Party’s fundraising arm appears unprecedented in modern history, and his signature on appeals to party members is a boon to fundraising, say political insiders. “It speaks to the knowledge and connection that the Conservative fundraising […]
Commons okays $2.4-million in committee travel over past year
The House of Commons and a panel of MPs that reviews travel budgets for standing committees has approved a total of $2.4-million for committee trips in Canada and abroad since the Liberals formed government, a record of the expenses shows. The bulk of the budgets and expenditures were approved from February to October 2016—a total of […]
