A year in, Trudeau Liberals carving out risky, activist agenda
OTTAWA—A year ago on Thanksgiving morning, Justin Trudeau headed out into the last stretch of the election campaign. One of the first stops was a strip mall in the Ottawa suburbs, where the parking lot was unexpectedly packed with cars and people that bright holiday morning. The election was still up in the air as […]
Rookie Liberal MP Erskine-Smith’s video causes some friction, head-scratching in Grit caucus after Liberals help defeat his private member’s bill
A YouTube video posted by a rookie Liberal MP whose controversial animal cruelty private member’s bill was voted down last week by his own party and cabinet has created some friction and a little head-scratching in the majority-governing Liberal caucus. Posted for an animal rights organization in May, Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, 32, (Beaches-East York, Ont.) encourages voters in the five-minute […]
New adviser for Minister Wilson-Raybould, Fortin bidding farewell to NDP
Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, who’s faced questions of late over the new judicial appointments process with MPs voting unanimously to support continued regional representation in the Supreme Court, recently hired a new judicial affairs adviser to her ministerial staff team, along with a new legislative assistant. Katie Black marked her first day as a judicial […]
Conservative race will be a fight to the finish: Nik Nanos
The battling that has already begun in the Conservative leadership race and the platoon-sized field of candidates forming means Canadians should brace for a brutal campaign as candidates try to “take each other out” and survive to the finish line next May, Nanos Research pollster Nik Nanos say. The number of likely and declared contenders […]
New chief of staff joins Chagger from PMO, as Government House Leader’s Office staffers move to Fisheries Office
PARLIAMENT HILL—Staff changes are underway in the Government House Leader’s Office, after Bardish Chagger took over the role from Fisheries, Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard Minister Dominic LeBlanc on Aug. 19 after Hunter Tootoo resigned from cabinet and caucus because of addiction issues. Ms. Chagger has hired a new chief of staff, Rheal Lewis, from […]
Minister Mihychuk promotes new director, Lebouthillier shuffles staff
After replacing her director of communications ahead of the fall session, Labour Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk recently also bid farewell to her director of operations, and has promoted one of her political aides to take on the senior role. Former federal Liberal Party deputy national director Michel Archambault made an exit from the minister’s office during […]
Expense scandals undermine Liberals’ ‘we are different’ message
Political scandals in Canada come from the strangest places. Who would have predicted the Liberal government would be in the midst of a storm over moving relocation expenses? The symbolism of this story is the most dangerous thing for the government. The Liberal proposition to the public during the 2015 election was they were not […]
A month after Bélanger’s death, potential Liberal candidates for Ottawa-Vanier riding waiting to see if widow runs
Before making their decision to enter the nomination contest in the coveted federal riding of Ottawa-Vanier, Ont., potential Liberal candidates are awaiting to see if Catherine Bélanger, widow of late-Liberal MP Mauril Bélanger, will run for the party’s nomination. “It’s a factor, of course,” said Mona Fortier, a potential candidate and a friend of the Bélanger […]
Rural Liberal MPs team up to get issues heard, lobbying ministers
Federal elections are increasingly won or lost in major urban centres, resulting in the diminishing political clout of rural ridings that have become fewer in number over the years. In an effort to ensure that rural issues receive the attention they deserve, 50 Liberal MPs representing rural ridings, or at least ridings that are predominantly rural, have formed […]
Minister Monsef down D. Comms as new sitting starts
Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef recently bid farewell to her director of communications, meaning remaining communications staff will have to fill in in the interim, with much buzz around ongoing electoral reform efforts and a busy fall sitting ahead. Jennifer Austin marked her last official day as communications director in Ms. Monsef’s ministerial office on Sept. […]
