Library of Parliament to get a boost, more staff
The majestic Library of Parliament will receive more money to better serve House and Senate committees and it will likely mean eight new research officers will be hired. Parliamentary Librarian Richard Pare said the library has submitted a proposal to the government House leader and the Senate and House Speakers asking for eight new research […]
Brazil beef ban thrusts two civil servants into media spotlight: after reading Globe and Mail’s story, new Health deputy minister Ian Green asked Diane Kirkpatrick to handle the issue
Two top federal civil servants were scrambling to put out last week’s public relations fires, namely irate Brazilians and equally irate Health Canada scientists. [Graph Not Transcribed] Dr. Brian Evans, chief veterinary officer at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, set off an international storm of controversy when he decided to ban Brazilian beef products, citing […]
Chretien’s biggest worry: Mulroney [It’s payback time for Clark and Mulroney]
Forget the Martinites, Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s biggest concern these days is former prime minister Brian Mulroney and Conservative Leader Joe Clark. “According to media reports it looks like Paul Martin’s supporters are the major concern for Prime Minister Jean Chretien, but in reality the major concern for the Prime Minister’s Office comes from Montreal, […]
Russian diplomats shouldn’t tarnish image of diplomatic community
Foreign Affairs Minister John Manley hopes the Russian diplomat accused of dunkenly running down an Ottawa woman with his car will “go to a cold place for as long as possible.” But, beyond hoping this will happen, there is not much Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister can do because diplomats are protected by “diplomatic immunity.” The […]
House Speaker Milliken’s stamp? R-E-S-P-E-C-T for the House
As widely predicted, it was a long day. And when the dust finally settled, the House’s 301 MPs chose Liberal MP Peter Milliken, the 55-year-old lawyer from Kingston and the Islands, Ont., to be their Speaker. With most of his challengers promising to turn the Speaker into an advocate for House reform, Mr. Milliken was […]
Reader warning: this column is about, in part, gulp!, religion
So, once upon a time, there used to be three things you didn’t discuss in polite company. Can you recall what they were?. (We’re playing a little game of intergenerational Trivial Pursuit here. If you can cite all three, then you’re definitely, uh — well, you’re definitely over 40 and probably pushing 50.) First, of […]
Bill giving provincial powers to Yukon expected this summer: government house leader Don Boudria announces 21 bills to be tabled in new 37th House of Commons
Yukon Liberal Premier Pat Duncan says she’s hoping a new Yukon Act, which would make the Yukon Territory a province in “everything but the name,” will be tabled in the House in June. The sweeping bill has been in the works for a number of years and is now in final stages of negotiation. The […]
Canadian literati spin Twisted story and media swallow it up
The Globe and Mail headline said it all: “CanLit lions defend boy writer.” Lions, indeed. It seems that nothing, particularly pursuing the facts, could deter our heroes from the hot pursuit of their own self-interest, even if it meant shamelessly exploiting a troubled 16-year-old schoolboy to do it. The subject, of course, is the recent […]
Ottawa-Quebec relations under Landry will be brow-raising
[Graph Not Transcribed] Lucien Bouchard will, in all likelihood, cease to be the premier of the distinct society the week of March 4th. He will then become a sovereigntist hasbeen. Bernard Landry will take his place and we can only wonder if Quebec-Canada relations will ever be the same. Afterall, Mr. Landry will become the […]
Talkative Brian Tobin frustrates, helps PMO: minister Brian Tobin wasn’t supposed to comment on Bouchard’s resignation
Industry Minister Brian Tobin, who is rumoured to be interested in running for the Liberal leadership, upset many people and frustrated the Prime Minister when he publicly commented on Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard’s resignation last month, The Hill Times has learned. It’s all part of the spirited, ongoing and underground campaign for the top job […]
