Feds cited caretaker convention to justify delays even after it wasn’t in ‘strict application’
In the weeks following the Sept. 20 election, the Liberal government cited the caretaker convention as a reason to delay releasing new policies or information, but, as the prime minister confirmed in information tabled in the House, the convention was not in “strict application” after election night due to results showing a Liberal re-election and […]
Centre Block project demolition and excavation work nearly two-thirds complete, MPs hear
While Centre Block may have looked beautiful from the outside, “its facilities were critically outdated and systems were failing,” a senior Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) official told MPs recently, offering up new words to describe the deteriorated and outdated state of the 100-year-old Centre Block building to remind MPs “why we are doing […]
Marilla McCargar heading policy for new Seniors Minister Khera
Seniors Minister Kamal Khera, a new addition to cabinet this Parliament, is still finalizing her ministerial staff team, but has crossed more key hires off her to-do list since Hill Climbers last checked in, including hiring Marilla McCargar as director of policy. As previously reported, Jude Welch is chief of staff to the minister. McCargar […]
O’Toole’s demise was caused by a schism in the party, and it’s only growing wider
OTTAWA—Seventy-three people were able to vote out a leader who was chosen by 100,000 Conservatives. This is democracy? Conservative leader Erin O’Toole’s departure was as hasty as it was dramatic. And in a touch of irony, the author of the private member’s bill that prompted O’Toole’s demise was one of the few people fighting for […]
Poilievre’s in, and Brown not ruling out running for federal Conservative leadership election
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, who also served as a federal MP and Ontario PC leader in the past, is not ruling out running for the federal Conservative Party’s top job that opened up last week after the caucus ousted Erin O’Toole as party leader. “Well, it’s premature for me to speculate at this time,” said […]
Veteran Hill reporter Joan Bryden retires, ‘Canadian politics is poorer for it,’ and Black History Month begins
Early in the morning on Feb. 1, long-time Parliament Hill and federal politics reporter Joan Bryden announced the beginning of her official retirement and an end to her time with The Canadian Press’ parliamentary bureau. “I am officially a retired person today. This will take some adjustment after 40 years in daily journalist, 34 of them […]
Reporters covering ‘Freedom Convoy’ in Ottawa describe safety concerns, intimidation following intense week downtown
Parliamentary Press Gallery and local Ottawa media members who have been covering the ‘Freedom Convoy’ protest that’s taken over one of Canada’s most famous streets for more than a week have contended with intimidation and harassment and a “pretty intense anti-media sentiment” since downtown Ottawa has been besieged by the protest since Jan. 28, say […]
Conservative MPs’ endorsement of Ottawa’s ongoing occupation indefensible
At this point, what started out as a convoy and became a protest against all COVID-19 restrictions has again morphed this time into a week-long occupation of downtown Ottawa. It is hurting the very same people the protesters claim to want to help: working-class folks struggling with the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on their lives […]
Trucker-protest paralysis reveals need for leadership in Ottawa, occupation of Canada’s capital shouldn’t be left to just Ottawa mayor and chief of police
As the end-of-January truckers’ protest near Parliament Hill transformed into the early-February occupation of Ottawa’s downtown core, residents and their representatives on the capital’s city council have reached their breaking point and are desperately looking for leadership from the many elected officials in town. The other group desperate for leadership are the truckers themselves, according […]
Canada’s trying to become a true nation of innovation
TORONTO—Canada is trying to become a true nation of innovation, as it must. Our future prosperity, including our ability to generate the taxes we need to finance future education, health care and other public goods, depends on our success as innovators. In fact, the need is now greater than ever. As the growth in the […]
