Committee business
British Columbia NDP MP Libby Davies’ lengthy campaign to have Parliament study the country’s sex trade finally paid off. On Feb. 7, the House approved her motion to have the Justice and Human Rights Committee review federal laws relating to solicitation. Chaired by Liberal MP Andy Scott, the committee – which is already undertaking a […]
Beaumier’s trip to Iraq
Regarding last week’s article, “MP Beaumier says Iraq trip attempt to bring ‘a human face’” (The Hill Times, Feb. 10). Two unanswered questions remain after perusing this article. First, was Colleen Beaumier used as a propaganda tool by the Iraqis? The answer is contained in the text: obviously the Iraqis had very little to do […]
Call in the Copps to Tim Hortons
The Keystone Copps? There’s a whole lotta head-shaking going on over Heritage Minister Sheila Copps’ decision to run against Paul Martin for Jean Chretien’s job. Is she really so blind, or so full of herself that she really thinks she could even get close enough to see the dust? Is she setting herself up to […]
World order is shifting
OTTAWA–Is there a reconfiguration of alliances taking place on the world scene? Witness the recent, but previously unheard of, public disagreement among NATO military alliance members and continued disagreement among European Union (EU) member states on how to respond to the U.S.-proposed action against Iraq. The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council […]
Politicking is bad for your health?
For the second time in a few weeks, we have a case of a Liberal MP suffering a heart attack. Fortunately, for the second time, the prognosis is good. Robert Bertrand, the member for Pontiac-Gatineau-Labelle, Que., suffered cardiac problems a week ago, but his administrative assistant Pierrette Bellefeuille says it was a mild one and […]
Copps has plenty of sass
For the best part of the next year, the politician who may do the most good to and for Canadians could very well be Sheila Copps. Nothing done by her as Minister of Canadian Heritage is likely to make any great difference to ordinary Canadians. The benefit Copps may do to Canadians may come instead […]
I’ve got Paul Martin on the brain: The glory and the hazards of being Paul Martin, leading contender
OTTAWA–As with most everyone else in Ottawa these days, I got Paul Martin on the brain. No, I’m not one of his confidants, strategists or “close personal friendsTM.” Indeed, it sometimes feels as if I’m among the few in this burg who ever admit to such lack of intimate connection. But when you’re in the […]
Grit pollster Marzolini takes aim at Liberals’ Campaign Bill
OTTAWA–Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s proposal to make polling an election expense – a provision contained in his controversial and much-debated Campaign Finance Reform Bill – will make it even harder for backbench MPs to keep in touch with their voters through polling activities, says the Liberal Party’s pollster. “It certainly does put a ceiling or […]
Minister Vanclief hires a new executive assistant: Sylvie Millette LeDuc says a secret to a minister’s success is a great team
When Christine Donoghue decided last month to leave her job as executive assistant to Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief to move to a job inside the Department of Agriculture, Mr. Vanclief didn’t have to look too far for her replacement. He decided to hire Sylvie Millette LeDuc who was working in his ministerial office as a […]
“Will Sheila Copps give Paul Martin a run for his money?”
Warren Kinsella Liberal strategist “This isn’t the first time Sheila Copps has run for the leadership of a party. And, no, I’m not talking about 1990. “How about eight years before that — when she was an Ontario MPP? She was a young, new Liberal MPP, running against the establishment candidate — the one all […]
