Fresh faces on board for ministers Wilkinson, Champagne
Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson has made a couple of tweaks to his staff roster in light of the recent departure of special assistant for policy and British Columbia regional affairs Jack Welsh. Welsh, a former Prairies regional adviser to Wilkinson as environment minister, joined the natural resources office in April. Hill Climbers understands he’s […]
Cole Davidson exits as Liberal research bureau comms head
The Liberal research bureau on the Hill will soon have a new director of communications at the helm, following Cole Davidson’s recent exit from the post. Davidson, who’d led communications for the office since June 2021, left last month, and, as noted by his LinkedIn profile, is now busy as the co-founder (with his partner, […]
Ministers Marci Ien, Diane Lebouthillier see policy adviser moves
Women and Gender Equality and Youth Minister Marci Ien has seen a couple of staff exits of late, and another is soon to come, with policy adviser Myriam Djossou set to mark her last day in the minister’s office later this month. Djossou is set to be under post-employment status as of Aug. 26, according […]
As Liberals’ support drops, Grit MPs to hold caucus retreat next month in New Brunswick to talk strategy
With the backdrop of the Trudeau government’s waning support in the public opinion polls and the NDP threatening to withdraw support under the supply-and-confidence agreement, the 158-member national Liberal caucus will congregate in New Brunswick next month to plot strategy for the fall sitting of Parliament, say Liberal MPs. It will be the first in-person […]
Staffing updates for Treasury Board President Mona Fortier
It’s been a while since Hill Climbers checked in on Treasury Board President Mona Fortier’s team, and there are a number of staff developments to note, including the departure of senior policy adviser Casey Richardson in late May. Richardson came from Fortier’s old associate finance and middle class prosperity team, having first begun working for […]
New manager of advertising hired for Trudeau’s office
There’s a new manager of advertising in place in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office, with Darrell Dean having stepped into the role last week. Together with the PMO’s new manager of research, Hilary Martin, who was hired last month, they replace former senior manager of research and advertising Alex Kohut, who left the office at […]
Singh’s credibility on the line if Liberals fail to deliver on dental care, says a leading pollster
If the Liberal government fails to deliver on dental care—a key ingredient of the Liberal-NDP confidence-and-supply agreement—it could seriously undermine Jagmeet Singh’s credibility as a party leader, says a veteran pollster. “He [Jagmeet Singh] has to prove that signing the agreement actually paid off for his supporters, and for his party,” said Darrell Bricker, CEO […]
Catching up with former Hill staffers
Cue the Vitamin C, it’s time to catch up with some former Hill staffers to see where they’ve gone post-politics—starting with Tausha Michaud, former chief of staff to then-Conservative leader Erin O’Toole, who returned to McMillan Vantage Policy Group as vice-president in early July. Michaud was a director with McMillan Vantage before leaving to serve […]
Trudeau Liberals should be ‘worried’ about bleeding support to Conservatives, say veteran pollsters
With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau losing ground in national public opinion polls, and the Conservatives gaining traction even though they are in the midst of a leadership campaign, the Liberals should be “worried” because the next election will see the governing party asking Canadians for a fourth mandate which is an uphill battle for any […]
String of staff additions, one departure for Agriculture Minister Bibeau
Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau has added a number of staff to her team since Hill Climbers last checked in at the start of the year, including Olivia Scieur-Aparicio, who started as the minister’s new operations and tour manager in June. Scieur-Aparicio spent the last almost two years as an assistant to Quebec Liberal MP Élisabeth […]
