Liberals’ sweeping reform ideas seen as not all bad, but many say they swing power to PMO
Opposition MPs say a few of the ideas put forward in the Liberal government’s discussion paper on reforming the House’s Standing Orders are good, but many would weaken the opposition and strengthen “centralized” government control. “There’s some interesting ideas in here, but the balance would swing the pendulum of power in Parliament even further towards […]
Supporters of national portrait gallery at 100 Wellington St. ramp up advocacy
The federal government will announce a new public use for the old U.S. Embassy building at 100 Wellington St. later this year, and as it considers options, advocates of a plan to turn it into a national portrait gallery are ramping up their efforts. “This is a wonderful opportunity to create something of excellence for […]
‘This is a big deal for us,’ talks continue over plans for Hill media security screening
Talks are ongoing between the Parliamentary Press Gallery and House of Commons officials and concerns remain over a proposed security-screening process for new reporters. “We’re still in a fact-finding and a discussion stage,” said Tonda MacCharles, the new president of the Parliamentary Press Gallery and a Toronto Star reporter. “This is a big deal for […]
It could take 20 election cycles, ‘or 90 years,’ before House reaches gender parity, says Equal Voice
PARLIAMENT HILL—At the current rate of change, it could take 20 election cycles before women reach gender parity in the House, Equal Voice Canada is predicting, according to new data that reveals one-quarter of Canadians think gender parity in the Commons will never be achieved. Equal Voice and Abacus Data released new, nationwide survey data on Monday that […]
New security-screening processes coming for media, MPs’ staff on Hill
The House Board of Internal Economy is working to introduce new security-screening processes for MPs’ staff, volunteers, and interns, and new members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, later this year that involves criminal background checks and fingerprinting. Press gallery members voted to oppose the new process in principle but to continue discussions with the Commons management […]
Hillites on Washington-watch today for Trudeau and Trump’s first meeting
Around the Hill, all eyes were on Washington today as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump met for the first time face-to-face at the White House. The meeting dominated political coverage, thanks in part to the sizeable contingent of Parliamentary Press Gallery reporters that travelled with Mr. Trudeau. The Hill Times noted that in […]
Rookie Liberal MP Ouellette walking, skiing 1,000 kilometres from Saskatchewan to Manitoba to send message of ‘greater unity’
Rookie Manitoba indigenous Liberal MP Robert-Falcon Ouellette is trekking 1,000 kilometres from Saskatchewan to Manitoba to meet with 41 indigenous communities along the way in order to send a message of hope, cooperation, and “greater unity” for First Nations people. Mr. Ouellette, 40, a Navy reservist and a member of the Red Pheasant Cree First Nation, began his march […]
Feds paid more than $40-million in 2016 to maintain vacant, partially vacant buildings
PARLIAMENT HILL—Vacant and partially vacant buildings owned by the federal government in the National Capital Region cost more than $40-million in upkeep costs in 2016, including maintenance and repairs, according to documents recently obtained by The Hill Times. There were 22 vacant or partially vacant federal buildings as of November 2016 in Ottawa, listed in […]
Set to be in full use in 2017, the Wellington Building dazzles
PARLIAMENT HILL—Under construction since 2010, the Wellington Building’s rehabilitation wrapped up earlier this fall, with its first occupants having moved in from the East Block in September. The building at 180 Wellington St. includes 70 MP offices, 10 committee rooms (three of which are multipurpose), eight MP meeting rooms, a new Library of Parliament branch […]
MPs startled by $6.6-million price tag on Parliament Hill wall
Several MPs were taken aback this week to learn that the cost to replace a crumbling 400-metre stone wall with a new masonry wall and wrought-iron fence along the Ottawa River escarpment behind Parliament Hill has added up to an eye-popping $6.6-million. It’s a drop in the bucket compared to the total of $2-billion the Public […]
