Summer recess
Government House Leader Don Boudria on June 2, just three weeks ago, told The Hill Times that there was an incredible amount of legislative work to do and that the House would not adjourn earlier than the scheduled June 20 date. Mr. Boudria said the government had to get through eight “priority” bills, including the […]
Democratic freedoms on trial: NCC: against restricting free speech
If there was a law saying that you needed a bureaucrat’s permission to express a political opinion, you would probably be upset. In fact, you would probably say such a law infringed on your right to free expression. Well, believe it or not, such a law does exist and an Ontario judge recently ruled that […]
“Whose speech at last week’s Parliamentary Press Gallery dinner was the best and why?”
Warren Kinsella Liberal strategist “As all my pals at HT know, a family matter unfortunately kept me away from the press gallery dinner this year. And I can tell you — I had really wanted to see the Boss (a.k.a. Prime Minister Jean Chretien) give his last speech there. I was particularly looking forward to […]
The whistleblowing behind George Radwanski’s undoing
The MP who ignited the sensational and unprecedented probe that may cost George Radwanski his job as Canada’s Privacy Commissioner says that most, if not all, of the damning evidence that has stacked up against the commissioner over the past two months would not have seen the light of day without the help of whistleblowers. […]
MPs’ and Senators’ Birthdays
*Treasury Board President Lucienne Robillard, 58, June 16, 1945 *Ind. Sen. P. Michael Pitfield, 66, June 18, 1937 *Liberal Sen. Rose-Marie Losier-Cool, 66, June 18, 1937 *PC Sen. John Lynch-Staunton, 73, June 19, 1930 *NDP MP Bill Blaikie, 52, June 19, 1951 *Liberal MP Beth Phinney, 65, June 19, 1938 *Ind. MP Pierre Brien, 33, […]
Governor General’s party in the garden on June 27
Secretary-General of La Francophonie visits Canada this week until June 26 MONDAY, JUNE 23 House Sitting–The House has adjourned for the summer for a 12-week break and is scheduled to return on Monday, Sept. 15. For more information on the House’s schedule, please contact the Government House Leader’s Office at (613) 952-4930. Senate Sitting — […]
Radwanski’s ugly showdown with Parliament
I find it patently absurd that George Radwanski, the Privacy Commissioner and therefore an Officer of Parliament, is publicly fighting those Members of Parliament for whom he is supposed to be working for in keeping the government of the day honest. Radwanski asserts that he should be free from any confidence votes that Parliament might […]
Cullen’s private member’s bill making government departments more accountable takes major step forward
A private member’s bill giving MPs a vote over the way federal departments create and adjust $4-billion in yearly userfees took a major step forward just before the House broke for the summer, even though the government doesn’t support it. The bill belongs to Liberal MP Roy Cullen, who represents Etobicoke North, Ont. His bill […]
Some winners and some stinkers at Press Gallery Dinner: Clarkson: the Alliance would get their Triple-E Senate: ‘Elected, Efficient, and E-merican’
OTTAWA–It was billed as Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s last Parliamentary Press Gallery dinner, the biggest and the best… and the meanest ever. Well-read and influential National Post columnist Don Martin predicted in The Hill Times the Monday before that since it would be Prime Minister Chretien’s last dinner he may as well “settle scores” with […]
Copps hires three new staffers in ministerial office: And Steve Grunau joins Alberta Independent Sen. Roche’s office
Federal Heritage Minister Sheila Copps beefed up her ministerial political office recently when she hired three new assistants. The ministerial political staff is headed by executive assistant Charles Boyer who was a former PMO flack before he joined Ms. Copps’ office in 2001. Minister Copps recently hired Ian Capstick, who is responsible for aboriginal and […]
