Lobbyists not interested in registering how much they’re paid to lobby
Canada’s outgoing lobbying commissioner says transparency would be increased if lobbyists registered specific hours of lobbying, but lobbyists say they’re not interested in disclosing how much they’re paid. With a five-year review of the Lobbying Act due this year, it remains to be seen what emerges as new recommendations in terms of the level of detail […]
Rookie Liberal MP Ouellette walking, skiing 1,000 kilometres from Saskatchewan to Manitoba to send message of ‘greater unity’
Rookie Manitoba indigenous Liberal MP Robert-Falcon Ouellette is trekking 1,000 kilometres from Saskatchewan to Manitoba to meet with 41 indigenous communities along the way in order to send a message of hope, cooperation, and “greater unity” for First Nations people. Mr. Ouellette, 40, a Navy reservist and a member of the Red Pheasant Cree First Nation, began his march […]
‘With all the talk of Canada being back,’ aid groups ‘alarmed,’ told to expect little from budget
In a matter of months, Canadian-based foreign aid groups have gone from being optimistic to deflated about the chances the government might boost flat aid spending. When the government launched a full review of Canada’s aid policy last spring, groups were hoping the idea that Canada was coming “back” on the world stage would translate […]
New PMO aides hired to public appointments section
PARLIAMENT HILL—A few new faces recently joined the public appointments section of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office, while two other aides in the Prime Minister’s Office have exited the Langevin Block. Juniors Damy is now a special assistant for public appointments in the PMO helping to research and vet recommendations for governor-in-council appointments, which include heads […]
Dion has always cramped Liberal style
OTTAWA—Stéphane Dion has always been every Liberal leader’s special gift. When Justin Trudeau announced a renewed Liberal cabinet that had no place for Dion, it was clear Dion’s refusal to accept the sinecure Trudeau had offered—simultaneous appointments, it is reported, as ambassador to Germany and to the European Union—was putting a serious cramp in Trudeau’s […]
Canada’s international airports seeking to attract new air carriers, new routes
On the surface, Canada’s international airports may be seen as mainly a staging point for departure and arrival of people and goods. But they are much more than this. Our airports are strategic economic infrastructure assets that contribute significantly to Canadians’ quality of life and the ability of our business communities to trade with the […]
Chance and change
OTTAWA—Like most Canadians, I grew up fascinated by America: its music, its movies, its wars, its politics. But overarching all that was our bemusement at its loud patriotism. As students, we would giggle at the idea of a Pledge of Allegiance every morning. The 40-foot Stars and Stripes on used car dealership flagpoles we’d see […]
PMO ‘so far behind on appointments,’ rigorous new hiring process, lack of qualified people cited for extensions of lobbying, ethics commissioners
A packed government agenda, a dearth of qualified candidates, and a bogging down in process due to the new merit-based approach to senior appointments by government are cited as possible reasons why the commissioners of lobbying and ethics have once again been given six-month extensions on an interim basis. Lobbying Commissioner Karen Shepherd and Conflict […]
“How do you think the relationship will change between Canada and the U.S. under U.S. president-elect Donald Trump?”
Kate Purchase Liberal strategist “The relationship between Canada and the United States is unique and unparallelled. Throughout our history, we have enjoyed the longest, most peaceful, and mutually beneficial relationship of any two countries in the world. “Both Canada and the United States want to build economies where the middle class, and those working hard […]
‘I think 2017 will be her true test as a minister,’ Freeland moves into the spotlight
PARLIAMENT HILL—You can expect to see a lot more Chrystia Freeland in 2017. Barring a cabinet shuffle, the 48-year-old trade minister and MP for University-Rosedale will lead Canada’s defence against the onslaught of trade reforms promised by U.S. president-elect Donald Trump in the coming year. Mr. Trump campaigned on promises to renegotiate the North American […]
