House clerk casting conventions aside for black robes on the Hill
The new clerk of the House of Commons is making no apologies for smashing parliamentary tradition, and overhauling the power structure beneath him in his first half-year on the job. Charles Robert is a lover of parliamentary history, but says he can’t recall another time a top-ranked clerk crossed over from one Chamber of Parliament […]
Incidents of misconduct, harassment involving former and current parliamentarians
John Turner pats Campagnolo’s bum, 1984 In 1984, during that year’s election campaign, then prime minister John Turner was captured on camera patting Liberal party president Iona Campagnolo’s bottom, and doing the same to then Quebec Liberal Party vice-president Lise St. Martin-Tremblay. He at first wrote it off as being a “tactile politician,” but later […]
#MeToo movement creating a ‘transformational change’ on Hill, inappropriate sexual conduct to be dealt with quickly and finally, say MPs, pundits
MPs say a “transformational change” is happening on the Hill, spurred by the recent “avalanche” of allegations of sexual harassment, harassment, and misconduct in Canadian federal politics, and some say they’re “terrified,” by the culture shift. “We’re certainly in a transformation moment, and to see it in the sports world, to see it in the […]
“The House is back. What is going to be your party’s No. 1 priority for the next three sitting weeks?”
Cameron Ahmad Liberal strategist “It will come as no surprise to Canadians that our priority in 2018 is consistent with what it has been since the election: driving economic growth all across the country, creating good well-paying jobs, and strengthening the middle class. “We will be building on the work we started two years ago, […]
Centre Block occupants ‘skeptical’ of summer move-out plans, but department says schedule hasn’t changed
The Centre Block building’s emptying out is just around the corner—at least based on current department timelines—but its present occupants say they’re “skeptical” the big move into the West Block and Government Conference Centre buildings will actually end up happening this summer. “I highly doubt that it’s going to happen, just because I’ve had tours […]
2017: The Hill Times’ year in pictures
Constituents support Canada’s hands-off approach on Jerusalem, say MPs
MPs with large Jewish populations in their ridings said constituents mostly agree with Canada’s stance on the question of Jerusalem despite the United States’ controversial decision to formally recognize the city as Israel’s capital. Conservative MP Peter Kent (Thornhill, Ont.) said along with “a lot of phone calls” at his office, the American decision is […]
Former veteran Liberal staffer McClinchey reflects on his quarter-century on the Hill
Longtime Liberal staffer Greg McClinchey marked his exit from Parliament Hill’s hallowed halls earlier this year, after 26 years in the trenches, and says while the job remains unmatched, life as a Hill staffer, and the level of guidance on offer, has come a long way. “Life on the Hill is hard. It takes your […]
Sexual harassment bill takes on systemic power problem, but won’t touch MP-to-MP behaviour
At a time when sexual harassment has hit the Hill hard, Employment, Workforce, and Labour Minister Patty Hajdu introduced Bill C-65 on Nov. 7, which would amend existing provisions in the Canada Labour Code to prevent harassment and sexual harassment in the federal workplace, now including MPs’ offices, the Senate, the House of Commons and […]
Monday marks 150th anniversary of first meeting of Canadian parliamentarians
OTTAWA—Monday marks the 150th anniversary of the first meeting of Canadian parliamentarians. Celebrations include the usual fanfare, with a declaration in the House of Commons, and a commemorative plaque unveiling. But the real story of these 150 years is best expressed in how we govern ourselves. Americans live by the credo of exceptionalism. They (falsely) […]
