Premiers can ‘ramp up’ vaccination plans in coming months, says official
Federal officials signalled to provinces and territories Friday that more vaccines are coming in February, as premiers decried a looming shortage in stock. Maj. Gen. Dany Fortin, who is overseeing the logistics of vaccine distribution at the Public Health Agency of Canada, said as of this week, Ottawa has already delivered 124,800 doses of the […]
Amid ongoing ethics investigation against Ratansi, some Liberals eyeing coveted nomination in Don Valley East for next election
While five-term Liberal-turned-Independent MP Yasmin Ratansi is under investigation for alleged ethical breaches, some GTA Liberals are already testing the waters to see if they would have a shot at the Liberal nomination in the safe and coveted riding of Don Valley East in the next election. In interviews with The Hill Times, some Toronto […]
Canada reaches second agreement for early vaccines, could bring total doses to 417,000 by year-end
Canada will ramp up its coronavirus vaccine rollout next week with an expected 200,000 Pfizer doses set to arrive, while approval of a second vaccine—from U.S. biotech firm Moderna—could come also as early as next week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday. Canada has reached a second agreement for early doses of the COVID-19 vaccines, […]
New comms director, regional advisers for Minister LeBlanc
Intergovernmental Affairs and Queen’s Privy Council Minister Dominic LeBlanc has seen a number of staffing moves in his office of late, including welcoming Kelly Ouimet back to Parliament Hill to serve as his director of communications. Ms. Ouimet has been working in the private sector for the last decade plus. She was last on the […]
Aerospace sector looks to government for help as pandemic grounds once high-flying industry
The Canadian aerospace sector and parliamentarians are calling on the government to help the once-mighty industry ahead of the Nov. 30 fiscal update, as the pandemic has slashed revenues, jeopardized jobs, and has cast a dark shadow on the medium- and long-term prospects for a return to some kind of normalcy. But even before the […]
Don’t put yourselves in knots over all political family ties
OTTAWA—Time for a true confession. My first job on Parliament Hill was given to me by my cousin, John Crosbie. He gave me an opportunity because my parents were family and they had always been supportive of him. In fact, he was the master of ceremonies at their wedding and he grew up with my […]
The Hill to honour Remembrance Day in minimalist ceremony with vintage flyover
As the National Remembrance Day Ceremony will be scaled down amid the COVID-19 pandemic, onlookers will be gazing up to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. To mark the milestone, three vintage aircraft will fly over the Hill at the end of the ceremony. The flyover will include the […]
Byelection results should give Liberals ‘pause’ after strong showing from Greens, Conservatives, say experts
The unexpectedly tight byelection races in the Liberals’ traditional strongholds may give them pause in their apparent bid to trigger an election call, says one Conservative strategist and political expert, suggesting support for the government has softened, in part, over the political manoeuvring in Parliament. The Liberals shed significant support in the Toronto-area ridings of […]
Hall exits PMO for director role with Labour Minister Tassi
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office has seen a few staff departures and promotions of late, including that of deputy director of scheduling and co-ordination Geoff Hall, who has taken over as director of operations to Labour Minister Filomena Tassi. Mr. Hall has spent the last almost five years working in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), […]
They’re back: 25 Members of Parliament to watch this session
In a minority Parliament, players beyond the government’s front benches typically have more chance to make an impact. Thanks to COVID-19, the last session of the 43rd Parliament saw a limited parliamentary schedule, and as the pandemic reshapes the political landscape, backbenchers and opposition MPs alike have seen some of their influence dwindle and power arguably […]
