‘There’s so much at stake with this’: Liberal MPs want landmark federal budget focused on economics, not politics
The government’s April 19 federal budget, the first one to be released in more than two years, will lay the foundation for the next election battle, say pollsters, but some Liberal MPs want it to focus on boosting the economy, not the Liberal Party’s political fortunes. “I don’t think it should be a very political […]
Operations director, press secretary among recent additions to Minister Carr’s team
Minister Jim Carr, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for the Prairies, continues to build his ministerial team, which is now nine members large, with press secretary and issues manager Annie Cullinan among the latest round of additions. Ms. Cullinan started on the job at the end of March, arriving straight from Public Safety and Emergency […]
Has the Hill changed for women in the workplace post-#MeToo?
In the years since the #MeToo movement rocked the globe, it has brought changes that women who work federal politics say range from the good, like opening the conversation, to the less positive, such as creating a rift between men and women in the workplace. Parliament Hill was no outlier when it came to the […]
Lone wolf MPs break down what it’s like to be a region’s solitary party voice
MPs whose party affiliation causes them stand out alone in their region say that while it can be hard work, it can also serve as an amplifier for their voice and influence. If Robert Bothwell, Gluskin professor of Canadian history at the University of Toronto, had to guess how the next election would play out […]
Political figures share stories of Prince Philip, Ottawa commemoration set for April 17
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, died April 9 at the age of 99. Canadian political figures were quick to express their condolences and to share their own stories of personal interactions with him. One such person was Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who recalled sitting at the prince’s table during an informal barbecue at Rideau […]
MPs call for revamp of federal role in long-term care system devastated by COVID-19
One week away from one of the most anticipated budgets in recent Canadian history, MPs and advocates are calling for greater federal support for infrastructure and staffing for long-term care homes that have been devastated over the last year by a COVID-19 pandemic for which many were completely unprepared. A recent report from the Canadian […]
Most dangerous time for a government is when opposition is weak
HALIFAX—The most dangerous time for a government is not struggling to preserve itself in a minority situation. In fact, minority governments often produce the best results. After all, compromise and cooperation are not optional, the way they are when one party has a majority. Democracy is better served when every Member of Parliament has some […]
Tsai-Klassen returns to Hill as chief of staff to International Development Minister Gould
International Development Minister Karina Gould has found a new chief of staff for her office, with Frédérique Tsai-Klassen returning to the Hill to take on the top job as of April 12. Ms. Tsai-Klassen previously left the Hill in 2017, and until recently had been working as director of communications for the Canadian Embassy in […]
Digital-first campaigns come with competitive advantage, Democratic organizers tell Grits
Early adoption of digital organizing and technologies can bring competitive advantages to campaigns, say U.S. Democratic organizers fresh off the presidential campaign, especially if they’re conducted amid the pandemic. The potential for a federal pandemic election has not been entirely ruled out by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.), though he’s said repeatedly he has […]
Liberal MPs Fergus, Ien reflect on death of George Floyd nearly a year since his killing
The death of yet another Black man at the hands of police last spring propelled Liberal MP Marci Ien to run for political office after a vacancy opened up in the downtown Toronto riding she represents, party members heard Friday. “The reason that I wanted to run in the first place had everything to do […]
