‘The Spin Doctors’ are here [Hill Times to establish a regular political panel featuring party insiders who will share their insights into what’s really happening behind the scenes on the Hill]
Sir John A. Macdonald once said “politics is a game requiring great coolness” and some 189 years later, some of the coolest players in today’s politics are sharp-witted “spin doctors” who influence public opinion. With so many leadership questions dogging Ottawa’s political parties these days, The Hill Times has decided to create its own regular […]
St. Jacques squeezes out $5,000 from Hill friends
Quebec Liberal MP Diane St. Jacques was all smiles last week as she showed up on the Hill sans cheveux. Ms. St. Jacques shaved her head as part of a fundraiser for cancer research in her riding that has so far raised over $75,000. As for Ms. St. Jacques, she raised $10,000 on her own, […]
Parliamentary calendar: Parliament Hill prepares for G8 demonstrations: MPs across the land hit the barbecue circuit as very interesting summer of 2002 heats-up
MONDAY, JUNE 24 St. Jean Baptiste Day — It’s Quebec’s national holiday today. House Sitting — The House has adjourned for the summer and is scheduled to return on Monday, Sept. 16. For more information on the House’s timetable, please contact the Government House Leader’s Office at (613) 952-4930. TUESDAY, JUNE 25 Senate Sitting — […]
It is Asper’s right to fire Mills
In the midst of the ongoing controversy over the firing of The Ottawa Citizen’s publisher Russell Mills, people seem to be confusing two separate issues: the right to do something versus the right way to do it. The Aspers, as owners of CanWest, had every right to fire Mills and replace him with whatever publisher […]
Hill poised for G8 protests
Parliament Hill security should be increased to keep this week’s G8 protesters off the Hill grounds, say opposition MPs, after hearing reports that officials are considering the unprecedented move of boarding up the historic Parliament Building’s windows and putting up walls. It was reported last week that security officials are considering boarding up some of […]
Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s ‘ethics package’ is really a work of deception and defence: Lobbyists may not work for a minister and lobby the minister, but their lobbying firm can continue to lobby the minister on behalf of private interests
Continuing his pattern of governing with deception and hypocrisy (instead of governing with integrity as he promised in 1993), Prime Minister Jean Chr tien introduced yet another so-called “ethics package” on June 11, again filled with vague, ambiguous or weak rules and empty promises. Chretien trumpeted the release of the guide for Cabinet ministers — […]
The 800 million Africans deserve better treatment: Africa needs someone to champion their cause to create a level playing field in order for them to finally compete fairly on the world trade scene, it is time
This week Prime Minister Jean Chretien steps into the limelight at the G8 Summit in Kananaskis, to champion a new partnership for Africa’s development. He will present G8 leaders’ response to the African leaders’ plan for a New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). NEPAD pledges good governance and sound economic management. In return for financial […]
List in Hill Times creates buzz: I can’t believe the impact that your list has made’
Senior staffers in the Prime Minister’s Office pressured MPs and Cabinet ministers to contact The Hill Times in order to pledge their support to the Prime Minister after the weekly independent newspaper published a list of who supports who in the Jean Chretien-Paul Martin nasty political battle. A senior Liberal source told The Hill Times […]
Federal government plans to keep more public records secret, including documents on advertising sponsorship
The Chretien Government has just received its internal Treasury Board’s Access Task Force Report and plans to use it as the basis for ramming through regressive amendments this fall to Canada’s 1982 Access to Information Act. This means more public records will be cut off, including ones exposing government waste in the sponsorship program. The […]
PMO vetted pro-Martin staffers: But Prime Minister’s Office denies playing heavy hand
Paul Martin’s dismissal from Cabinet proved to be a public relations nightmare for the Prime Minister’s Office, but the move has allowed the Liberal leader to regain complete control over the appointment of senior political aides to his Cabinet. Sources close to The Hill Times report that from the first day the Liberals won power […]
