Cooperate with Martin, PM told by MPs
Prime Minister Jean Chretien will be under enormous pressure from his caucus to make sure he consults closely with his likely successor and long-time nemesis, Paul Martin, on all policy decisions when the resumes sitting during his last five months in office, say government backbenchers. Last week, more of the Prime Minister’s backbenchers urged him […]
The Hill Times’ list of who supports whom in Liberal leadership race, after Manley’s exit
MPS Paul Martin’s Supporters: Reg Alcock (Winnipeg South, Man.) David Anderson (Victoria, B.C.) Mark Assad (Gatineu, Que.) Sarkis Assadourian (Brampton Centre, Ont.) Jean Augustine (Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Ont.) Larry Bagnell (Yukon) Sue Barnes (London West, Ont.) Gilbert Barrette (Temiscamingue, Que.) Reginald Belair (Timmins-James Bay, Ont.) Mauril Belanger (Ottawa-Vanier, Ont.) MPS Paul Martin’s Supporters: Reg Alcock (Winnipeg South, […]
‘I’m going to stay neutral’: Lib Bob Wood
A “very disappointed” Bob Wood, the veteran Liberal MP for Nipissing, Ont., says Deputy Prime Minister John Manley’s decision to bow out of the Liberal leadership race has left him with little choice but to remain neutral in the contest that has only two candidates left. The long-time Liberal backbencher, first elected in 1988, said […]
Humanitarian intervention
Although it failed, the Canadian proposal for defining when a “humanitarian intervention” by outsiders into the affairs of a troubled state is legitimate represents exactly the kind of foreign policy initiative that Canada is going to have to undertake if we’re going to make worthwhile contributions to today’s international order. Last week, Prime Minister Jean […]
The spin doctors: “What do you make of Jean Chretien’s latest ploy to stymie Paul Martin by reforming the Senate, as reported by Maclean’s Peter C Newman?”
“What do you make of Jean Chretien’s latest ploy to stymie Paul Martin by reforming the Senate, as reported by Maclean’s Peter C. Newman?” Warren Kinsella Liberal strategist “Oh, for the love of Pete! I know it’s summer-time, and the silly season and all that, but have the conspiracy theorists gone completely off their medication? […]
Farewell to British High Commissioner Sir Andrew Burns and welcome to newcommish
Robbie Burns night in July… If you were driving along Sussex Drive at about 6:15 p.m. on July 20, you may have noticed the flag at the British High Commissioner’s residence, Earnscliffe, being lowered to the baleful sounds of bugles. Fear not. The Royals are all fine, as far as I know. The flag ceremony […]
House ‘privilege’ defence has no merit, says Senate report
A Senate committee has been advised that the House of Commons’ ongoing battle to prevent Parliament’s employees from taking discrimination complaints to the Canadian Human Rights Commission has no basis in law or practice. The controversial issue is currently before the Supreme Court of Canada. Obtained by The Hill Times, the Senate report was prepared […]
Grit MP Dennis Mills: he can get some satisfaction, oh yeah…
TORONTO–The field is nearly empty, except for a few trailers. There’s a group of workers cutting the grass and some security guards milling about. But Liberal MP Dennis Mills has a clear picture in his mind of what that empty, huge former Downsview base in Toronto is going to look like on July 30: “That’s […]
MPs out to remind civil servants who’s the boss: ‘in the worse possible case, Parliament has the authority to put someone in jail’: Szabo
More than 300 years ago, a group of long-forgotten British MPs adopted the following resolution: “That if it shall appear that any person hath given false evidence in any cause before this House, or any committee thereof, this House will proceed with the utmost severity against such offenders.” The year was 1700. But the words […]
Grits to debate Senate reform
The candidates vying for the Liberal leadership are gearing up to address Senate reform at the governing party’s caucus retreat next month. The three contenders – former finance minister Paul Martin (LaSalle-Emard, Que.), Deputy Prime Minister John Manley (Ottawa South, Ont.), and Heritage Minister Sheila Copps (Hamilton East, Ont.) – will each outline their plans […]