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 […]
There’s ‘potential’ for progress on gig worker supports after an involved election season, experts, politicians say
Gig workers are on the rise in Canada, and with a new minority Parliament in place, politicians and workers’ advocates see an opportunity for the Liberal government to collaborate with the NDP to push forward progress on supporting this sector. At its foundation, gig work is a descriptor that covers all kinds of work done […]
First two-spirit MP aims to be architect of change, speak up for Indigenous, LGBTQ2+ voices
Newly elected New Democrat Blake Desjarlais didn’t always want to be a politician. The 27 year old, who recently won the riding of Edmonton Griesbach, Alta., originally had his sights set on becoming an architect, following in the footsteps of Indigenous trailblazer Douglas Cardinal. “I wanted to show people in North America that Indigenous people […]
Suppose they gave an election and nobody won
It would be very easy to simply slide alongside the emerging narrative that the 44th Canadian general election was a waste of time, a waste of money, and an empty exercise where the hopes and dreams of political junkies met their maker. To be fair, the Liberals were indeed hoping for a majority and fell […]
