From representing a town of 5,000 to a riding the size of Poland: NDP MP Bachrach settles into job
NDP MP Taylor Bachrach, who represents a riding roughly the size of Poland, expects to rack up a lot of mileage. The job of representing Skeena-Bulkley Valley, a far-flung northern B.C. riding, involves hitting the road regularly to connect with as many of its more than 89,000 residents, including the Haida First Nation. It’s one […]
Let the games begin: what to watch as Parliament returns
OTTAWA—Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer will no doubt be the happiest person in Ottawa with the short return of Parliament. He will want to have the opportunity to sink his teeth into Prime Minister Justin Trudeau instead of being the daily meal for the media and many frustrated Conservatives. Parliament’s commencement will be important to watch […]
Steeltown stays orange by electing Green
David Christopherson’s nearly 35-year run representing parts of Hamilton at every level of government came to an end after the Oct. 21 federal election, but Mr. Christopherson’s legacy will remain largely intact through his successor, and friend, rookie NDP MP Matthew Green. Mr. Green (Hamilton Centre, Ont.) was sworn in on the Hill on Tuesday, […]
‘We’re in a bit of a rebuilding phase’: NDP adjusting to life as fourth party
Staff changes are afoot across the board on Parliament Hill as parties adjust to their new standings in the House of Commons and prepare for the realities of a minority Parliament, and helping guide the NDP’s post-election transition is veteran adviser Anne McGrath. “We’re in a bit of a rebuilding phase right now,” Ms. McGrath […]
Election 2019: where parties posted their worst 25 results
Fielding 338 strong candidates can be tough, as is organizing that many campaign teams to turn out a respectable level of support on election day. That rang more true for a few parties in certain parts of the country: Quebec and Alberta voters gave some parties their worst results this election, with the bulk of […]
Election 2019: The 25 ridings where each party did its best
On election night on Oct. 21, only the Liberals and the Conservatives watched their 25 top-performing candidates actually win their ridings. Three of the top 25 NDP candidates lost on election, as did one of the Bloc Québécois’. The 25 Conservatives MPs who recorded the strongest returns of their party’s slate all earned more than […]
Singh’s not-so-great expectations
OAKVILLE, ONT.—English poet Alexander Pope once said, “Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.” If that’s the case, then Canada’s federal New Democrats must certainly be feeling blessed these days. After all, given the consistent inability of their leader, Jagmeet Singh, to gain any traction with voters, New Democrats were […]
Trudeau government gives stronger role to federal intervention in health care
Canada’s “Fathers of Confederation” were men of their time, which is why, among other things, “health” was not seen as a primary responsibility for governments, and certainly not the Dominion (federal) government. This is not surprising, given that at the time, medical care was not particularly effective nor sought after, and health and social matters […]
The last Dipper standing: Boulerice on the job he faces and the NDP’s plans to rebuild, ‘it’s going to be a challenge’
As the lone New Democrat MP left in Quebec after last month’s election, Alexandre Boulerice says he feels a bit like the last village of resistance against the Romans, invoking the popular French comic Asterix le Gaulois which satirizes the fight of a few against an invader’s onslaught. He’s joking, but from his perch as the […]
Trudeau should give more profile to ministers, empower backbenchers in new minority government, say MPs and pollsters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs to be seen as the leader of a strong cabinet, empower his caucus, provide more latitude to backbench MPs, and mirror some of the lessons learned from his father’s 1972 election result to lead a strong minority government after a humbling election night on Oct. 21, say Liberal MPs, pollsters, […]
