Top experts say ‘massive’ PS bill a ‘modest’ step forward: ‘There’s still a great deal of work to be done’: Donald Savoie
OTTAWA–Two of the country’s foremost experts on the machinery of government have dismissed the federal government’s attempt to overhaul the public service — what would amount to the first major reform in over 40 — as “modest” while admitting the legislation is on the right track. Donald Savoie, a public administration professor and author of […]
Proud of Prime Minister Chretien’s stand
I find it interesting that the politicians who feel that Canada should be involved in the Iraq conflict are people who have never served in the military. It is easy to tell someone to do a job that you are not familiar with or willing to do yourself. Instead, of complaining about our government, as […]
‘The personal is political’: NDP MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis
OTTAWA–Canadian Alliance MP Grant McNally, 41, lives every day with the fact that one of his four children has leukemia. The two-termer federal MP for Dewdney-Alouette, B.C., has talked about it over the years in the House of Commons, but definitely does not go out of his way to publicize it. In the House of […]
Ottawa boasts over 453,000 people on payroll: Jim Judd, secretary of Treasury Board, answers long-awaited question
OTTAWA–The federal government can count 453,568 people on its payroll working in jobs located across Canada and all over the world, the Treasury Board confirmed last week. Jim Judd, secretary of the Treasury Board and comptroller general of Canada, provided the information in a short, twopage report to the Commons Government Operations Committee on April […]
Fuddle-duddle?
That Gerry Byrne’s a real knee-slapper. The rookie Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency was up on his feet in the Commons last Wednesday afternoon, defending Fisheries Minister Robert Thibault who had recently returned from announcing the shut-down of the cod fishery in St. John’s, Nfld., to angry fishers. Mr. Thibault is […]
Don’t like Chretien’s campaign bill
Canadians should be upset with a Prime Minister using flawed electoral reform legislation as tool to maintain his control of the Liberal Party. On the surface, we all agree that the influence of money needs to be removed from Parliament, but such a move should not create a further tax burden for the voters. As […]
Whelan hires a new press secretary
International Cooperation Minister Susan Whelan has hired a new press secretary for her ministerial political office. Renee M. Filiatrault will join Ms. Whelan’s office this week, on Tuesday, April 1, as the new press secretary replacing Valerie Poulin. Ms. Poulin, daughter of Ontario Liberal Senator Marie-P. Poulin, has moved to the Canada Foundation for Innovation […]
A reality check on the gun registry: Canada’s gun control law is a long-term investment in our security
TORONTO–“The low-down and dirty on the gun registry” (The Hill Times, March 3), by W.T. Stanbury, purports to provide a primer on the firearms program, but the article reflects a selective use of the facts. First, while “the billion-dollar registry” makes a great sound bite, it is important to be clear. After stating that “since […]
Canada’s actions do have consequences
WASHINGTON, D.C.–Canadians are contemplating consequences. Ever since Prime Minister Jean Chretien denounced the impending U.S./UK/Coalition action in Iraq as unjustified and declared that Canada was not “willing,” Canadians have been worrying about U.S. retaliation. It is as if a prissy schoolmarm whacked her much larger neighbour with her umbrella just as he was beginning a […]
Government caucus ‘torn’ and ‘divided’ over Iraq war
OTTAWA–The federal Liberal caucus is “torn” and “divided” over the U.S.-led war in Iraq, say Liberals who predict relations will continue to deteriorate between Canada and its largest trading partner, especially if the war lasts several months and if more American and British soldiers are killed. Other Liberals say Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s (Saint-Maurice, Que.) […]
