Open up riding nominations
This summer, the Conservative Party announced that in the interest of democracy, and unlike the Liberal Party, it would not protect sitting MPs from nomination challenges. But challengers are coming forward publicly to criticize their own party’s nomination process. Their papers are being rejected for what appear to be bureaucratic hang-ups, and challengers say they […]
It will be years before FAA is working effectively: Prof. Franks
The Federal Accountability Act is moving in the right direction in terms of responsibility and accountability in the public service, but it will take years to ensure that the system is working effectively, says public administration and Parliamentary expert Ned Franks. “The Accountability Act creates a framework for clarifying accountability and responsibility, but it’s just […]
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Provincial street names debate Re: “Bring the names of the provinces to the capital’s streets” (The Hill Times, Aug. 21). Interesting idea in the Aug. 21 Hill Times, but there’s a slight problem-you forgot the street between present-day Lyon and Bronson. It’s Bay Street-and unlike Bronson, it does go to Wellington Street. I should know: […]
‘He was the best boss around,’ says Benoit Sauvageau’s Parliamentary assistant Dacaire
Benoit Sauvageau’s six-year Parliamentary assistant says he was so shocked by his boss’s sudden death last week that he almost expected to see him come through the door and say hello. “He was so young. I don’t think I realize it to its full extent right now. I’m still wondering if he’s going to show […]
Benoit Sauvageau 1963-2006
Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe “My first thoughts go to his wife, Jacinthe, as well as her four charming daughters. I fully understand the pain that they must feel. Together, they built a marvelous family. For us Benoit was also a member of the family, a brother.” -statement released Aug. 28 Prime Minister Stephen Harper […]
Tories should take responsibility for toxic sites in the North: MP Angus
Defence Minister Gordon O’Connor (Carleton-Mississippi Mills, Ont.) needs to acknowledge the Defence Department’s responsibility for numerous toxic sites in Ontario’s North, NDP MP Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay, Ont.) said at a news conference last week. The Department of National Defence built and then abandoned 17 radar bases in the early 1960s in the James Bay-Hudson’s […]
Parliamentarians go to South Africa
A delegation of MPs is headed to South Africa this week to meet with their Parliamentary counterparts from Aug. 27 to Sept. 3. House Speaker Peter Milliken (Kingston and the Islands, Ont.) is leading the delegation to Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria. Conservative MP Jay Hill (Prince George-Peace River, B.C.), Liberal MP Karen Redman (Kitchener […]
Bernier joins Summa Strategies
Last week, Summa Strategies announced that it hired Tory Daniel Bernier, formerly chief of staff to Environment Minister Rona Ambrose, to head up the firm’s new research division. The Hill Times caught up with Tim Powers, vice president at Summa. HT: What was the impetus for creating the new research division? Will it be servicing […]
Liberals are united and ready to fight Conservatives: Goodale
After a productive caucus meeting in Vancouver, the Liberal Party is getting its groove back, says Liberal MP Ralph Goodale (Wascana, Sask.). “The one thing that I’ve noticed from this caucus and I felt it growing since June, through July, through August, is a very real sense among liberals that we’re getting our morale, our […]
Catherine Clark to host CPAC show
CPAC announced last week that Catherine Clark, daughter of former prime minister Joe Clark, will host a new, weekly phone-in public affairs program called Sunday Sound Off. The live, weekly, bilingual program is scheduled to start on Sept. 17 on CPAC. “I’m looking forward to speaking with Canadians from one end of the country to […]
