Trade Minister Ng fills deputy chief, operations director roles
There are plenty of staffing decisions to report in International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business, and Economic Development Minister Mary Ng’s since Hill Climbers last checked in, with Kenzie McKeegan‘s addition as director of operations and Alex Corbeil‘s elevation to both deputy chief of staff and director of parliamentary affairs topping that list. McKeegan is new […]
Trudeau and Singh find rare co-operation in federal politics
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau surprised political Ottawa and the rest of the country last week when he revealed that NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh had agreed to support his federal Liberal government on confidence votes until the next fixed election in October 2025. The devil will be in the details and this rare agreement could eventually […]
While politicos fret, a tsunami of relief floods the nation
CHELSEA, QUE.—Away from the snark, crackle and pop of the Ottawa bubble, a national sigh of relief may be building as news of the Liberal-NDP detente announced last week spreads. Partisans and pundits are gaming out winners and losers, lamenting the alleged threat to democracy and viewing this rare moment of bi-partisan co-operation through a […]
New operations head, regional advisers on deck in PMO
There are new regional advisers for Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic on board in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office, plus Vandana Kattar-Miller has been promoted to director of operations, outreach, and planning, and Adam Grech is now acting tour director. Kattar-Miller took on her new title in November and was previously director of outreach in […]
‘No difference left between the Liberals and the NDP’ after confidence and supply agreement, say some Liberal MPs
The Liberal-NDP confidence and supply agreement has not gone over well with some Liberal MPs who say they were not consulted and worried their party is leaving the centre of the ideological spectrum “wide open” at a time when the next election could be a “change election.” “Already the Liberal Party has been too far […]
Getting out of ‘groundhog mode’: Party Central’s back with an unmasked party at the Met
In Art Deco low light, throngs of lobbyists, politicians, staffers, and reporters crowded the Métropolitain Brasserie Restaurant, run by Sarah Chown and one of political Ottawa’s favourite watering holes, on March 23, many of whom were back on the Hill to let loose and celebrate for the first time in a long time. Stephen Hendrie, […]
The New Democrats throw the Liberals a lifeline
OAKVILLE, ONT.—So, the New Democrats have agreed to a deal which will see them prop up the Liberal government until 2025. I’m not entirely sure what this arrangement does for the NDP, but it certainly helps the Liberals. In fact, this deal is a lifeline for Trudeau. I say that because had an election been […]
Liberal-NDP deal a moment to prove doubters wrong
The last two times Canadians went to the polls to elect federal representatives, ballots were marked and counted to reveal a desire for collaboration in the House of Commons. Back-to-back minority Parliaments were formed in 2019 and 2021, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau denied a second chance at the majority he oversaw in 2015. Leaders […]
In ‘backdoor socialism’ we trust?
OTTAWA—Seems like I just dislodged myself enough from Candice Bergen’s socialist backdoor to realize that something just shifted in Canadian politics—and not soon enough. Late Monday night, CBC reported that the Liberals and the NDP entered into a supply and confidence agreement until 2025. What this means is that the NDP will support the Liberals […]
Will NDP, Liberal dance partners find their rhythm?
OTTAWA—The NHL trade deadline came and went this past week with some notable transactions. But nothing topped the deal between the Liberals and New Democrats. The Liberals acquired the New Democrats’ commitment to them for yet-to-be-determined, but expected to be billions of taxpayer dollars, in return for near unconditional support over a 3.5-year period. Still […]
