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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
PM popular at garden party as political Ottawa stirs
Let it rain, let it rain… Officially it was the pouring rain that kept the bar open until nearly 8 p.m. at Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s media garden party last week. Usually the marquee tent goes dry at 7 p.m. on the dot, all the sooner to rid the 24 Sussex grounds of the wretches […]
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 […]
Mills fired, sainted, roasted and all in one week
Think yourself lucky, Russ… The city’s power people gathered at the Museum of Civilization Thursday night to roast Citizen Canned, and the opening act was none other than Mr. Mills’ old rival, Ottawa Sun Publisher Judy Bullis, who appeared onstage sporting a bandaged eye. “And you think you had problems explaining editorial policy to the […]
Wiser Mylyk returns to new Defence Minister McCallum’s office: Parliament Hill staffer Chris Froggatt departs Canadian Alliance for Premier Ernie Eves’ Ontario Tories
Three weeks after their boss was booted from Cabinet, some of Art Eggleton’s former political aides have started landing on their feet, notably Randy Mylyk who got his old job back handling spin and communications for the Defence Minister. Mr. Mylyk was hired as new Defence Minister John McCallum’s director of communications two weeks ago. […]
Guit&ea;’s been through this before, Mulroney years too
Chuck Guite, one of two public servants fingered by the Auditor General as having “broken just about every rule in the book,” in awarding controversial government contracts and who is now refusing to testify before a Commons committee, was involved in similar controversies during former prime minister Brian Mulroney’s years in power too. Last week, […]
