Housing Minister Fraser a 2023 fan favourite on Parliament Hill: All Politics Poll
The results of this year’s All Politics Poll are in, and Sean Fraser leads the Liberal pack. It’s not just him, either—his housing portfolio is voted as the biggest issue of 2023. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is picked as the second Most Valuable Politician of the Year.
Policy improvements, not dismantling work of past governments, the best way forward for any new prime minister, says Ibbitson
If Pierre Poilievre becomes prime minister at the next election, a key test for his success and populism will be if he keeps the interest of the little guy at heart as John Diefenbaker did, says Globe and Mail writer-at-large and author John Ibbitson.
‘Everyone on all sides is amping up the rhetoric’ as filibusters tied up House and committees to finish off the year
Conservative filibustering ‘isn’t actually based on principle or valid arguments,’ says Government House Leader Karina Gould, while pollster Nik Nanos says opposition parties often use the tactic with issues worthy of an election fight. The Conservatives say they’re just trying to hold up Trudeau’s ‘destructive’ agenda.
‘Definitely tension in the House’ this session, with similar outlook for 2024, say MPs
Conservatives put forward nearly 20,000 amendments on Bill C-50 on Dec. 6, resulting in hours of debate at committee into the night. MPs say 2024 will likely be even more raucous as the next election draws near.
East Coasters abound in Rural Economic Development, ACOA Minister Hutchings’ office
Senior members of Hutchings’ office include parliamentary affairs director Vanessa Cranston and operations director Harry Burton.
Anaida Poilievre’s Quebec charm offensive
Given the strategic importance of having strong representation from Quebec in a potential Poilievre government, the Conservative leader’s wife is now likely to be centre stage in the province.
Speaker Fergus should not resign
There is a saying: ‘To err is human, to blame is politics.’ The proceedings of the House of Commons have become too much about naming and blaming and too seldom about learning and improvement. When there are abuses or mistakes, there are instantly calls for resignations. However, as another saying goes, ‘the punishment should fit the crime.’
Liberal and NDP strategists say flexibility on pharmacare timelines, dissent a sign of pact’s longevity, not limitations
As the NDP chalks up a win on the rollout of dental care, strategist Cam Holmstrom says if the Liberals can’t get pharmacare on the board soon, it could be game over for the New Democrats’ support for the government.
Class is not to be dismissed
The divisions in society are economically driven, and result in political divisions whereby those who feel left behind will become more disengaged and hopeless about their situations.
Long waits on feds’ responses to written questions prompts support for Senate rule review
House rules provide for a committee review if written questions go unanswered after 45 days, and impose a four-question limit per MP, but the Senate has no such equivalent.
