Health Minister Clement hires a new communications adviser
Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn hires Roxanne Marchand as his press secretary Federal Health Minister Tony Clement has hired a new communications adviser for his ministerial political office in Ottawa. Tina Arvanitis, 25, started her new job as communications adviser to Mr. Clement recently. Minister Clement’s communications office is led by director of communications Robin Walsh, […]
Political parties receive first quarter allowances
The Liberal Party received $2,282,186.93 last week in first quarter allowances from Elections Canada for Jan. 1 to March 31. The allowance is part of the $1.75 per vote that parties receive if they got more than two per cent of all valid votes or at least five per cent of the votes in the […]
Would-be reformers of the Westminster model yearn for a legislature that provides effective scrutiny on actions and decisions of Cabinet
“You can’t always get what you want But if you try sometimes, you just might find You get what you need. (a.k.a. The Reformer’s Theme Song) In my last column, I suggested that New Zealand might have blazed a trail for any would-be political reformers in this country. On the surface, at least, it seemed […]
Conservatives won’t say who will be the next public sector integrity commissioner
A former civil servant who was praised in Justice John Gomery’s first report on the sponsorship scandal for denouncing and refusing to sign murky government contracts with advertising companies could receive the position of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner, but critics say he’s potentially too close to the situation. Allan Cutler, who also ran unsuccessfully […]
Veteran Sun Media columnist Doug Fisher recently said House Speaker Peter Milliken has been ‘completely ineffective at controlling the daily oral Question Period.’ Do you agree?
Mike Storeshaw Conservative Strategist “Mr. Fisher has probably employed a bit of exaggeration to make his point. I think everyone in the little village we call Parliament Hill was pleased to see Peter Milliken re-elected as Speaker of the House. His humour, charm, and nearly unmatched knowledge of procedure make him a great fit for […]
Lights, camera, controversy!
As the ongoing skirmish between the Prime Minister Stephen Harper and media continues to make life difficult for reporters on the Hill, the press gallery is wrestling with its own policies on access-specifically, the practice of giving out “day passes” to reporters who don’t normally cover the Hill. Although mostly provided for the convenience of […]
Canadian entrepreneurs tap into the power of strategy: innovation powers productivity of firms right across the country, it means more, better jobs
MONTREAL–I see it for myself everyday — the remarkable energy of Canada’s small and medium-sized businesses. This year, as Canadian SMEs continue to face many challenges such as the SARS outbreak, the long-term effects of the war in Iraq and the unpredictable U.S. economy, they have responded with their trademark optimism, resilience and creativity. In […]
The spin doctors: “Has Sheila Fraser’s audit on George Radwanski ‘cranked’ up pressure for Parliamentary reform and on making the government and its bureaucrats more accountable?”
“Has Sheila Fraser’s audit on George Radwanski ‘cranked’ up pressure for Parliamentary reform and on making the government and its bureaucrats more accountable?” Warren Kinsella Liberal Strategist “I don’t know where this one is going to go: it has already taken so many unexpected twists and turns, anything is possible. “Mr. Radwanski will answer the […]
British and Irish governments trying to rebuild trust: Canadian goodwill will be critical to huge task of reconciliation ahead: Murphy
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND–Anyone who has followed the Northern Ireland peace process over the years will know that it has been a difficult journey for all involved. Nearly 30 years of conflict and suffering finally gave way to painstaking talks, which led to the euphoria of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. But as the chairman of […]
Grits want some policy at Liberal convention
It won’t be a policy convention, but a government backbencher says next month’s Liberal leadership convention should definitely include more policy workshops as well as briefing sessions on the impact of the new and controversial Campaigns and Elections Financing Bill C-24 as incumbents and candidates prepare for the next federal election. Grit MP Walt Lastewka […]
