NDP Leader Layton hires a new executive assistant
NDP Leader Jack Layton has hired a new executive assistant. Emily Watkins will start her new job as EA to Mr. Layton (Toronto-Danforth, Ont.) on Tuesday, Sept. 5. Most recently, Ms. Watkins served as a legislative and communications assistant to NDP House leader Libby Davies (Vancouver East, B.C.). Prior to that, she worked as a […]
The government can’t and won’t regulate lobbying out of existence
One of the greatest misconceptions about lobbying in this town is that piles of lobbyists have large amounts of influence with government decision makers through their connections, campaign donations, or partisan political affiliations. Lobbyists who meet directly with government officials are likely to influence decision-makers’ thinking in some way, but much of the value that […]
Climate change will be a true test for the Tories: NDP’s Cullen
In his end-of-session round of media interviews, Prime Minister Stephen Harper spent a lot of time trying to convince Canadians that he and his Cabinet had achieved a great deal in the first few months of their new mandate. Clearly, the lay of the land on Parliament Hill has changed significantly since the change in […]
The Spin Doctors
Mike Storeshaw Conservative Strategist “The government’s legislative priorities have been made abundantly clear since even before we took office, and we’ve made significant progress. Canadians are finally seeing a government that does what it said it would do, and are responding positively. “So, for the fall session of Parliament, that’s where the focus will continue […]
Economic, environmental and social well-being vulnerable to changed climate: Forest Products Association of Canada
The basic truth about climate change policy is that it is not simple. It is complex stuff that interweaves questions of ecosystem integrity, engineering, social cohesion, economics and international politics. For this reason, tantalizingly simple yet entirely ineffective solutions tend to come from those who are merely advocating positions. The reality is that addressing an […]
Liberal MP Khan feels heat from Liberal caucus while Tories defend his appointment
Liberal MP Wajid Khan received a rough reaction from his caucus colleagues last week for accepting an appointment from Prime Minister Stephen Harper as special advisor for South Asia and the Middle East, but Conservatives say the Prime Minister made the right choice by appointing a Muslim-Canadian MP to the position. “It’s a very appropriate […]
Softwood lumber poses political risks for Tories, says Goodale
The government has given the softwood lumber industry until Monday, Aug. 21 to accept the July 1 Softwood Lumber Agreement between Canada and the U.S., and if they don’t, there could be significant political consequences for the Conservatives, says opposition House Leader Ralph Goodale. “Softwood goes a long way as everyone knows, and I don’t […]
The leaked Liberal memos, obtained by The Hill Times
Maria Minna’s email memo to Liberal caucus, Aug. 9 Dear Colleagues: In my opinion, Mississauga-Streetsville MP Wajid Khan should either resign his new position as Special Advisor to Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper on South Asia and the Middle East or resign temporarily from National Liberal Caucus. Wajid’s appointment is a slick, sick, calculated move […]
Harper’s transition is ‘the best I’ve seen,’ says Arthur Kroeger
Despite a widespread perception of tension between the senior ranks of the public service and the new Conservative government, former long-time mandarin Arthur Kroeger says that Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s transition has been the best one yet. “I’ve had casual conversations from many people, from deputy ministers to practically half the Cabinet. They all say […]
Others do not share the Prime Minister’s version of history
Where does Middle East history begin? Is it before or after the Old Testament, the exodus of Jews from Europe and Arabs from Palestine or, pick one, the bombing of civilians in a Tel Aviv nightclub or a Beirut suburb? This isn’t an academic exercise or one of those annoying quizzes that make fools of […]
