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) […]
Hill construction on track, House expenses rise, MPs hear in first public Commons Board of Internal Economy meeting
The powerful House of Commons Board of Internal Economy met for the first time in public last week, ending years of secrecy over the board’s activities. MPs heard the cost to run the House of Commons rose $33-million last year to nearly $546-million. Public Services and House officials also updated board members on three big […]
It’s crunch-time on the Hill: getting ready for Centre Block’s big move in summer 2018
PARLIAMENT HILL—It’s crunch-time for renovations on Parliament Hill, with completion deadlines coming up next summer for the West Block, the Government Conference Centre, and the first phase of the new underground Visitors’ Welcome Centre. Construction work has already been actively ongoing on the Hill for a decade, and by 2018 this massive undertaking will have […]
Paintings and old dishes: how the ‘hoarders’ in the Senate care for its priceless artifacts
Moving Queen Victoria is not as simple as one might think. The painting of Canada’s former head of state that hangs in the Senate foyer weighs roughly 700 pounds. It can’t be relocated just anywhere; it must be placed on a reinforced wall that can bear the weight. And it’s delicate: even while transporting it […]
‘We’re moving in with the bees,’ Senators to share headquarters with colony of honeybees
PARLIAMENT HILL —There’s a buzz in the air about the Senate’s temporary headquarters next year. Literally. The Government Conference Centre at 2 Rideau St. will become the Senate’s new interim home beginning in 2018 and will soon after also become home to a colony of honeybees, with plans to install hives on the building’s roof. […]
Capturing the capital city: an architectural historian pens a keepsake collection
Whether you’re walking through the Byward Market, or crossing the bridge to Gatineau, Que., Andrew Waldron takes you on a journey exploring some of Ottawa’s romantic-styled architecture for readers to discover unnoticed gems of this government town. In his book Exploring the Capital: An Architectural Guide to the Ottawa-Gatineau Region, Mr. Waldron details more than 300 […]
Portrait gallery advocates ‘disappointed’ but understand rationale for indigenous centre at old U.S. embassy
While advocates for a national portrait gallery say they’re “disappointed” the federal government is expected to turn the old U.S. embassy in Ottawa into an indigenous cultural centre, they say they understand why and plan to continue pushing for portrait gallery somewhere in the capital. “I, of course, would have preferred the national portrait gallery […]
‘I ain’t quitting,’ Grit MP Chan battling cancer delivers powerful, emotional speech about Parliament
PARLIAMENT HILL—Liberal MP Arnold Chan, who was first diagnosed with cancer shortly after winning the 2014 byelection in Scarborough-Agincourt, Ont., delivered an emotional and powerful speech on Monday in the House, saying he’s not sure how many more 20-minute speeches he will be making in the Commons as he continues to battle his resurfaced cancer, […]
