There should be rules for MPs hiring interns, says ex-intern who did unpaid part-time work for a year
A former intern in a Liberal MP’s riding office says the lack of clarity between what constitutes a volunteer and an intern contributed to her doing unpaid part-time work for roughly a year. “There probably should be some kind of regulation” for MPs taking on interns, she said, given the definition of her own internship was […]
Serré pitches in for ALS ‘LIFT’ campaign
PARLIAMENT HILL—Liberal MP Marc Serré is using his political profile in an effort to raise interest and awareness in a new ALS campaign that could end up being as fun and a little less chilly than that Ice Bucket Challenge of a few years ago. This time around, the campaign is called Give a LIFT for […]
Gatineau man spends 10,000 hours, five years sculpting impressive scale model of Parliament
GATINEAU, QUE.—The Centre Block of Parliament is full of beautiful detail and unique history. Now imagine fitting all of that inside one room. That is what Grégoire Lefrançois has done in creating his wooden version of the historic building. With the 150th anniversary of Confederation approaching on July 1, Mr. Lefrançois is completing his wooden […]
Natural gas leak temporarily shuts down some Parliamentary Precinct buildings
PARLIAMENT HILL—At least four buildings in the Parliamentary Precinct, including the Prime Minister’s Office, were temporarily evacuated Tuesday afternoon after a construction crew working on the light rail system hit a gas line on Queen Street. The massive gas leak, which sounded like a giant and loud hissing noise, also forced the evacuation of about four blocks […]
West Block’s interim House Chamber takes shape as Hill construction continues
PARLIAMENT HILL—The interim House of Commons Chamber being built in the West Block’s courtyard is taking shape with concrete being poured to form the visitors’ galleries and about 60 per cent of the glass roof now installed. “The pouring of the gallery floor started Monday [April 17] and is scheduled for completion in the first […]
A history of heckling
It’s a practice everyone is familiar with, and likely, has engaged in themselves. Watching sports? You’ve probably tossed out a few barbs about the competence of the players, or referees. Attended a stand-up comedy show? If it wasn’t you, you’ve probably seen someone try to shout down the comedian onstage, telling them they weren’t funny […]
Parliament has a power problem: why few staffers report sexual harassment
Staffers could be the most likely group of people to experience sexual harassment on Parliament Hill, yet very few of them report it, and there’s one big reason why: power. “There’s a definite power imbalance between young staffers and everyone else,” said Beisan Zubi, who worked on the Hill in her mid-20s as a communications assistant […]
Educate new Senators on how to report sexual harassment: Sen. Hartling
Independent Senator Nancy Hartling says the findings of ethical misconduct against Senator Don Meredith have raised questions for her about what she might do if faced with sexual harassment on the Hill. “I think there needs to be more awareness of what [we] could do. Supposing it happened to me, supposing it happened to one […]
“What do you think of the ideas put forward in the government House leader’s discussion paper on reforms to the Standing Orders?”
Kate Purchase Liberal strategist “In the last election, we promised to bring real change to Parliament, and Canadians elected us with a mandate to deliver on that pledge. Reforms to the Standing Orders—to make the House more efficient, open, and transparent—will help us provide the accountability we promised Canadians. “Changes like adding a new Prime […]
‘It’s still very much a man’s world,’ female Hill staffers still face double standards, sexism, harassment
PARLIAMENT HILL—Progress continues, but female staffers on Parliament Hill continue to face double standards, sexism, and harassment, both in their daily jobs and during the evening receptions that are part of Hill life, say current and former female staffers. But they also say the more women there are on the Hill—whether working “behind the curtain” […]
