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? […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Manley proposes Minister of Lifelong Learning
Having worked since 1993 to bring the federal government back from the brink of financial and political crisis, we are now working to restore this level of government to its proper place in Confederation. While that proper place does not include running the elementary and high schools, the colleges and the universities, it does include […]
Robillard: C-25 represents first major reform of legislative framework governing people management in 35 years
Over the last decade, we have seen a profound evolution in what Canadians expect from all levels of government. Citizens are rightfully demanding greater transparency, more open access to decision-makers as well as faster and more cost-effective services. At the same time, the environment in which public policy is developed is becoming increasingly complex. There […]
Media studies crucial
Regarding “Senate’s doing one of the most ambitious media studies in history,” (The Hill Times, June 30). I believe that the media studies research and especially getting its conclusions out to the largest possible audience is crucial to all of us. Personally, I have been especially distressed about The Independent in London’s policy to charge […]
“What’s your take on John Manley’s recent comments that he would be pleased to serve in a Paul Martin’s Cabinet?”
Warren Kinsella Liberal Strategist “I’m assuming his statement that he’d be willing to serve in the cabinet of Prime Minister Copps was left out of that part of the story. “Me, I don’t know who is going to be elected Canada’s next Prime Minister for sure. The one thing I do know for sure is […]
Radwanski scandal could change way government works
The House Government Operations and Estimates Committee’s recent scathing report that accuses former privacy commissioner George Radwanski of deliberately misleading Parliament by “falsifying” documents and “concealing” expense information could prompt significant policy reforms for all Officers of Parliament, say leading experts on government and Parliament. And Members of the House of Commons Government Operations and […]