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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
“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 […]
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 […]
Bill to bring in most extensive changes in 40 years: Also brings in safeguards to guard against patronage hiring
The Liberals finally introduced their sweeping omnibus bill on Feb. 6 which will dramatically rewrite a number of laws governing the federal bureaucracy, the workplace of some 240,000 federal public servants scattered across the country. If passed, Bill C-25 – an Act to Modernize Employment and Labour Relations in the Public Service – would be […]
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 […]
Big money buys access: Nick Taylor
OTTAWA–Nick Taylor, a former long-time Alberta Liberal Senator and party bagman, says big corporate money plays a critical role in getting access to the country’s top policy-makers, adding that sometimes this access is translated into real influence. Despite the fact that Prime Minister Jean Chretien (Saint-Maurice, Que.) says he wants to end “the perception” that […]
Parties will be rolling in the dough: The Libs will get an extra $3.43-million and the Alliance will get an extra $4- million
Who benefits most from the new subsidy for parties? To appreciate the likely consequences of the new annual subsidy for registered parties included in Bill C-24, the Prime Minister’s Campaign Finance Reform Bill, it is useful to examine Table 1. It reveals that in 2001 (the data for 2002 won’t be available until early July […]
Campaign bill puts the squeeze on backbench MPs: Forces MPs to compete with ministers for funding
OTTAWA–Backbench Liberal MPs who already feel burdened from having to pay hefty levies to their party are crying foul over the government’s new plans to double the pain by limiting corporate donations through its new political finance bill. Some say the move is unfair because it will force backbenchers to compete for funds with high-profile […]
