Attacked for betraying NDP legacy, Singh plays balancing act while supporting Emergencies Act
In supporting the invocation of the Emergencies Act, the NDP is playing a balancing act, but party insiders say it had to be done. The party is facing charges that it broke with its own history when the great majority of NDP MPs voted against the invocation of the War Measures Act during the October […]
NDP caucus retreat brings renewed focus on health care and cost-of-living concerns ahead of House return
New Democrats ended their virtual caucus retreat with a plan for the party to push the Liberal government on cost of living and health-care capacity, a focus NDP MPs and political strategists say will resonate with Canadians but won’t replace the ground-game organizing needed to improve the party’s electoral fortunes. “You can’t just focus on […]
Alexa McDonough and the cost of blazing trails
Trailblazing isn’t easy, but those who knew her say Alexa McDonough had the character and resilience to do it with grace, earnestness, and always a sense of humour. Since her recent death, McDonough has been described as a “role model,” an “icon,” and the reason many women in politics who came after her were able […]
The problem with the ballot
TORONTO—For decades the NDP, and before it the CCF, claimed that shielding information about election financing allowed corporations to exert undue influence in the making of public policy and awarding of government contracts. The underlying assumption in the law at the time was that elections were fought only by candidates in constituencies, not by political […]
All parties have a chance to right their respective ships in 2022
OTTAWA—As the year draws to a close, it is time to reflect on politics past and future. In the past year, the governing Liberals limped out of an election, barely making any inroads into their dream of a governing majority. In the past year, the newly-minted Conservative leader dreamed that this was his party’s time […]
Advocates, NDP welcome ‘long overdue’ paid sick day legislation for federally regulated employees
Small business advocates and the NDP, who have been calling for the introduction of paid sick leave by the federal government for months, say they welcome the tabling of the government’s legislation that would provide federally regulated workers with 10 days of paid sick leave per year. The legislation was tabled almost 20 months into […]
The continued mystery of the NDP’s existence
OTTAWA—During the post-election lull between choosing cabinet and the Speech from the Throne, I ruminated on the political issues that have shaped the year. And increasingly—now perennially—one question always sticks in my mind and will continue to in the years to come. Why does the NDP exist? No seriously. The recent pointless election was an […]
Who’s who among senior political staff confirmed so far
From government to opposition, staff have been hard at work behind the scenes to get ready for the start of the new Parliament, and while cabinet ministers are still finalizing their new staff teams, Hill Climbers is diving into who’s who among senior staffers settled so far. Topping the list for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s […]
NDP’s new slate of critics comes online
On Oct. 29, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh announced the new set of critics and roles that the NDP MPs will be taking on in the coming parliamentary session. This lineup sees women in critical critic roles like environment and climate change, foreign affairs, national defence, and Indigenous services, with new MPs taking on core duties. “Canadians […]
Hill Climbers: O’Toole’s OLO sees some staff changes, promotions post-election
Change is in the air on Parliament Hill, and while many members of Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole’s office are resuming their posts, Hill Climbers understands there have been a few key changes, including Jake Enwright’s promotion to deputy chief of staff. Tausha Michaud, who was campaign secretary for the Conservatives during the recent election, remains […]
