Katharine Heus returns to lead Minister Hajdu’s office
Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu, who’s also responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, will soon welcome Katharine Heus back to her 21-member office as chief of staff. Heus, who was previously director of operations to former Indigenous services minister Marc Miller, is set to return from maternity leave mid-month. As previously […]
‘Centrist’ Grit MPs support Liberal-NDP agreement ‘at this time,’ but ‘very concerned’ about financial aspect of deal, says nine-term Liberal MP Sgro
A seasoned government backbencher says she supports the Liberal-NDP confidence-and-supply agreement “at this time,” but indicated that support could falter if the cost involved in honouring this deal turns out to be too high, adding she’s not alone in caucus with her concerns. “At this time, because of the stability issue, I am supportive of […]
Meet Environment Minister Guilbeault’s new team
With the recent release of the federal government’s 2030 emissions reduction plan, plenty of eyes are on Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault and his team, which includes two policy directors, Joanna Dafoe and Michael Brewster. Dafoe leads climate and international affairs policy for Guilbeault, and has been in the environment minister’s office since […]
Bay du Nord is either a triumph or an act of immoral madness
HALIFAX—Depending on who you believe, Ottawa’s approval of the Bay du Nord oil development off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador is either a triumph, or an act of immoral madness. The oil industry and the Trudeau government approach the issue from an economic standpoint. Viewed through that lens, Bay du Nord means jobs, royalties, […]
Liberals live up to dental care promise and other key areas of NDP deal; NDP will support budget
The NDP will support the Liberal budget after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland delivered on the specific promises outlined in the confidence-and-supply agreement, including dental care. In crafting a pact with the NDP, the Liberals made specific promises to ensure the House of Commons’ fourth party would help them see their […]
Ideas, policy, and party leaders
TORONTO—The Conservatives and the NDP are poles apart on policy, but they share a common feature: ideological principles drive them. Both parties have internal divisions, but the disagreements are about the ideas that ought to sustain their party. Ideology energizes the emotions of Conservative and NDP partisans and many of their parties’ supporters. The Conservatives […]
Numerous new hands at work in Joly’s foreign affairs office
There’s been lots of movement in the foreign affairs minister’s office since Mélanie Joly took over the post from Marc Garneau, with new heads of policy, operations, outreach, and parliamentary affairs in place this Parliament. As previously reported, Sandra Aubé has followed Joly to her new portfolio as chief of staff, while Chantal Gagnon moved […]
Who’s who on the Liberal, NDP House leader and whip teams
Along with meetings between the leaders, the Liberal-NDP agreement lays out plans for “regular” meetings between their respective House leaders and Whips, making it as good a time as any to explore who is working in these key offices. As described in the confidence-and-supply deal, “both parties agree to the minimum standing meetings” of “at […]
Liberal-NDP deal promises nothing more than a pharmacare pantomime
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh stepped over broken promises about pharmacare walking down the aisle to join Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a confidence and supply agreement. The “marriage” vows included a new promise—not to implement pharmacare, but about “continuing progress” toward a national program by passing legislation next year and making a plan to bulk […]
Liberal, NDP deal brings hope in fog of Ottawa politics
We saw a refreshing ray of hope shine through the grey fog of Ottawa politics last week. Watching NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announce their confidence-and-supply agreement last week was a welcome antidote to the noxious partisan rhetoric of recent weeks and months. I felt like I could almost see Jack […]
