MPs back in action as Parliament returns
The return of Parliament kicked off a whirlwind start of the week, with the arrival of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, and election of House Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia on May 26, followed by a Throne Speech delivered by the King that drew thousands of people to downtown Ottawa. The Hill Times
‘New Democrats are going to do our job no matter what,’ says interim leader Davies as party stickhandles losing status in the House
After a devastating election that shrunk the NDP caucus, interim leader Don Davies says his caucus can still play an important role, predicting that in some cases, ‘whether the government survives or falls will depend on us.’
Note to MPs: free advice on setting up your constituency office(s)
Never lose sight of the prime directive: you want to put in place a team to deal with an inordinate number of complicated files in a manner that leaves the constituent with the view that they were treated in a professional and timely way. Not only will you not win them all—you will not win the vast majority of them and how people feel they have been treated will be very important to your future.
At least seven Liberal and Conservative MPs running for coveted House Speaker’s post
The new Speaker of the House will receive a total salary of $309,700, manage an office budget of $1.4-million, receive extra perks, and oversees annual expenditures totalling $656.5-million, according to the House.
New MP orientation in full swing
The more than 100 first-time MPs who were elected on April 28 are readying for Parliament’s fastest post-election return since 1988. Swearing-in ceremonies began on May 12 and continued this week, including on May 21 when The Hill Times’ photographer Andrew Meade captured their orientation in action. The Hill Times
Indigenous Services Minister Gull-Masty says she’s eager to ‘succeed’ under ‘huge pressure,’ as Indigenous leaders welcome ‘progress’ in cabinet picks
Indigenous Services Canada is being headed by an Indigenous person for the first time ever—something Mandy Gull-Masty says adds to the ‘pressure’ to succeed, as she feels out her new role under the weight of ‘a lot of eyes watching.’
‘Rock bottom’: former MPs reflect on election losses, and navigating ‘purgatory’ as they transition to life out of office
Two weeks after the election, at least 40 outgoing incumbent MPs are in the process of packing up their offices and saying goodbye to staff and colleagues, after years—or even decades—in office.
Less talking, more listening: rookies say grassroots campaigns helped unseat high-profile incumbents
‘That’s what we were known for: being kind, being there, and helping people,’ says incoming Ontario Liberal MP Emma Harrison.
Andrew Scheer to lead Conservatives in Parliament until Poilievre regains a seat
The 143-member caucus opted to enact the Reform Act rules, according to media reports, giving Conservative MPs the power to trigger a leadership review.
Bruce Fanjoy, the man who broke Poilievre’s spell on Carleton, Ont., says he won by door knocking and listening
Rookie Liberal MP Bruce Fanjoy says he decided to run against Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre ‘because someone needed to.’ He also had the help of more than 500 volunteers who flooded the riding.
