International Development Minister Sajjan taps Ashley Wright to lead his new office
Ashley Wright has joined the chief of staff ranks on Parliament Hill, having been tapped to lead new International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan’s office. Sajjan is now also the minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada. Wright spent the previous Parliament as director of policy to then-digital government minister Joyce Murray, briefly […]
The Quebec Liberal Party struggles for its soul
KAMOURASKA, QUE.—Dominique Anglade is the eternal optimist. Coming out of its weekend policy convention in Quebec City, the Quebec Liberal Party gave her a ringing endorsement to develop a platform focused on the environment and a left-wing tilt to the economy. She believes this platform is her road to victory. On the environment, the Liberals […]
Labour Minister O’Regan sets his senior staff lineup
Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan is settling into his new portfolio, and has lined up a good chunk of his office so far, with his full senior staff team now in place, to be led by chief of staff Paul Moen. Mr. Moen was most recently running Mr. O’Regan’s office as the minister for natural resources, […]
Former environment staffers dominate Natural Resources Minister Wilkinson’s team
Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson has made much headway in firming up his new ministerial team, recently naming two policy directors—one focused on clean energy and innovation, and the other on sustainable resources development—along with a director of operations and more. In all, nine of the 15 staff confirmed so far in Mr. Wilkinson’s office […]
Health Minister Duclos names chief of staff, policy head
Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos scooped up experienced staffer Jamie Kippen to serve as his new chief of staff. Mr. Kippen was most recently busy as a senior director of election readiness at Liberal Party headquarters, but before he left to take up that post in March, he’d been chief of staff to then-diversity, inclusion, and […]
Into the unknowns of the 44th Parliament
OTTAWA—After a five-month absence, the House of Commons has begun sitting again and MPs are back to work in Ottawa. With a Speaker now selected and a Throne Speech delivered, speculation will heat up as to whether this is Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s last term. That is arguably the most significant thing to watch for […]
Who’s who among senior political staff confirmed so far
From government to opposition, staff have been hard at work behind the scenes to get ready for the start of the new Parliament, and while cabinet ministers are still finalizing their new staff teams, Hill Climbers is diving into who’s who among senior staffers settled so far. Topping the list for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s […]
Riding boundary changes could pit some MPs from same parties in nomination races, say politicos
The upcoming redistribution of Canada’s electoral boundaries could pit some incumbent MPs from the same parties to run against each other for the nominations which means some may not be able to seek re-election in the next general election, say current and former MPs, and Hill staffers. “It’s [redistribution] a good thing for the general […]
New House set to return as Liberal government faces unfinished legislative business with potential NDP ally
With a pandemic still happening, a climate crisis that needs urgent addressing and an economy requiring a kick-start following a string of nationwide lockdowns, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) and his third-term Liberal government will enter a new Parliament with enormous tasks to tackle. At the Nov. 8 national Liberal caucus meeting, he signalled […]
Ministers Qualtrough, MacAulay confirm chief of staff picks
Employment, Workforce Development, and Disability Inclusion Minister Carla Qualtrough and Veterans Affairs and Associate Defence Minister Lawrence MacAulay have locked in their chiefs of staff. In Ms. Qualtrough’s office, longtime Hill staffer Taras Zalusky will continue as chief of staff. He’s been working for Ms. Qualtrough since she stepped into her now-former post as minister […]
