Tempers flared in final days of Parliament due to ‘Freedom Convoy’ support and ‘pent up demand’ to keep government accountable, say MPs and politicos
Tempers ran hotter than usual as the last parliamentary session abruptly came to a close for the summer break on June 23, indicating a heightened sense of tension in Canadian politics, say some MPs and political observers. Green Party parliamentary leader Elizabeth May (Saanich-Gulf Islands, B.C.) said a more combative U.S.-style political discourse has crept […]
Policing the precinct requires a principled plan
For the second time in a decade, Parliamentarians are examining security following a “traumatic” incident that impaired the normal functioning of Parliament. In 2015, following the previous year’s intrusion of an armed assailant into Centre Block—and the confusion of interoperability of security personnel and the RCMP on Parliament Hill—the Parliamentary Protective Service (PPS) was created […]
‘This can never happen again’: downtown residents launch Ottawa People’s Commission to address failures to keep community safe during convoy protests
Ottawa residents have launched a citizen-led commission into the so-called “Freedom Convoy”—which turned into an occupation of the nation’s capital downtown core for nearly a month in February—to hear the voices of those who lived through it. The Ottawa People’s Commission on the Convoy Occupation was launched on June 27 in the Ottawa Public Library’s […]
‘Never been afraid to punch above our weight’: set to retire this fall, Peter Van Dusen reflects on 21 years at CPAC
The face of CPAC for more than 20 years, anchor and executive producer Peter Van Dusen has announced he will be retiring this fall. “When I was hired, CPAC pretty much just covered the proceedings in the House of Commons,” said Van Dusen in a lengthy interview with The Hill Times. Looking to put together […]
On, then off, then on once again: Conservative leadership contenders set to debate in Calgary
Mark your calendars, it’s now official. The Western Standard is set to host a debate between (most) of the candidates vying for the Conservative Party’s top job on July 8, the first Friday of the all-important Conservative campaign trail destination: the Calgary Stampede. Originally scheduled for July 9, the Alberta-based independent media outlet decided to […]
‘We will have another situation at some point’: politicians, experts eye fix to ‘disturbing’ security trends
National security experts, including the former national security and intelligence adviser to the prime minister, say increasing threats to politicians are “reflective, unfortunately, of the society we live in where we’ve seen this growing polarization.” “This is not something new, what we’ve been seeing over the last three or four months,” said Vincent Rigby, who […]
‘An idea whose time has come’: expand Hill precinct, says Fergus
Parliamentarians have an opportunity to make the Parliamentary Precinct safer by securing the area from those who would “sow chaos” and expanding the area under the jurisdiction of police who protect the Hill, while still retaining public access, says Liberal MP Greg Fergus. “It’s a reality that we have to face up to, that sometimes […]
Precinct expansion report expected this fall, but feds, city already in talks
MPs expected to deliver a report on the possibility of expanding the Parliamentary Precinct this fall are weighing the benefits of wading into the Hill’s complicated tangle of jurisdictional security issues. But, as members of the Procedure and House Affairs Committee (PROC) recently heard, that work is underway, with the City of Ottawa having already […]
Security key factor in successful Block 2 design that will complete ‘Parliament square’
After a year-long competition, the winning bid to complete “Parliament square’s” fourth wall came out ahead, thanks, in part, to a design that works well with Hill security plans, according to one of the MPs who sat on the jury. Zeidler Architecture Inc. and David Chipperfield Architects were unveiled May 16 as the prevailing design […]
Politics This Morning: Winner of the Block 2 design competition to be named today
Good Monday morning, The prime minister will meet with the mayor of Regina, SANDRA MASTERS, in Ottawa at 2 p.m. An important section of the Parliamentary Precinct will be one step closer to a major overhaul today. Public Services and Procurement Minister FILOMENA TASSI and JOHN RALSTON SAUL, honorary advisor to the Royal Architectural Institute […]
