Majority of Canadians may support TMX, but the project remains an electoral risk for Liberals: pollsters
Recent polls may indicate a majority of Canadians support the government’s plowing ahead with the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, but with further opposition actions expected, experts say the best Liberals can likely hope for is to not lose too many progressive voters. “It’s very unlikely that it’s going to help them win support anywhere […]
Controversial addition to Château Laurier hotel could mean a ‘jettison’ of its history, opponents say, as MPs take note
Members of Parliament and Senators are joining a growing list of civil servants, experts, and citizens in expressing or relaying opposition to plans for a controversial addition to the historic Château Laurier Hotel, with one Senator calling it a “monstrosity.” Ottawa-area figures feeling the crunch from their constituents include Environment Minister Catherine McKenna (Ottawa Centre, […]
Lobbying watchdog says glitch in system skewed volume of registrations
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s tenure in office has undoubtedly brought a surge in lobbying activity, but a glitch in the registry’s system resulted in an overrepresentation of the number of lobbyists actively registered, says the commissioner. In its 2018 annual report, the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying (OCL) indicated there were 9,084 lobbyists registered […]
Mark Warawa, 69, dies after cancer battle, MPs honour friend
Conservative MP Mark Warawa died on June 20 following a diagnosis of cancer in his pancreas, colon, and lungs. “It’s been an incredible honour to have served my community since being elected federally in 2004,” Mr. Warawa, a religious man, said in a posthumous statement. Mr. Warawa announced his retirement from federal politics in January […]
Municipalities close conference with sights set on Election 2019
October’s federal election is shaping up to be a contest about who can make Canadians’ lives better. Already, we see every major party telling voters they have the best plan to make life more affordable and secure. Local governments understand this frame well. After all, we’re Canada’s builders. We build the things Canadians see every […]
Lobbying for good, because it’s not all bad
TORONTO—The circumstances around the resignation of Jody Wilson-Raybould have shone a light, and not a favourable one, on the lobbying by SNC-Lavalin. That lobbying by SNC-Lavalin of the PMO and anyone else who would take a call or a meeting about their issue, will inevitably be seen by many to be inappropriate or unseemly. It […]
Conservatives vulnerable to intolerance attacks, and ‘clumsy’ Cooper episode feeds into perceptions, say strategists, pollster
Episodes like Conservative MP Michael Cooper’s “clumsy” and “insensitive” choice to read from the Christchurch shooter’s manifesto feeds into peoples’ “worst perceptions about the party” and opens Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer up to attacks, says pollster David Coletto. It draws on the party’s “greatest vulnerability,” said Mr. Coletto, which is “this question around their […]
Lobbyists increasingly target Senate as Liberals make final legislative push
With all eyes turned to the Upper Chamber as the government tries to stickhandle its final pieces of legislation through Parliament, lobbyists also increased their attention to the Senate this spring. In the first four months of 2019, the volume of lobbyists targeting the Senate has increased by nearly one-third over the same time period […]
Lobbyists seek clarity after watchdog warns political statements risk contravening code
New guidance for lobbyists around expressing their personal political views has some questioning whether it encroaches on their rights to free expression, and calling for clarity from the sector watchdog that put forward the advice. Others say the new warning is good for public trust and a healthy exercise for lobbyists to consider. On April […]
Lobbying czar has ‘concerns’ for her office’s budget, warns court decision could widen workload
Federal lobbying commissioner Nancy Bélanger says she has “concerns” about her office’s budget, which hasn’t changed in 14 years—especially if a recent court decision that broadens Canada’s lobbying law is upheld. She appeared before a committee last week to discuss this year’s main spending estimates, which sets out a $4.8-million budget for her office of […]
