Scheer exit opens door for reset, say members who welcome the chance ‘to spring clean’
Outgoing Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer’s departure brings a chance for some necessary “spring cleaning,” says one Conservative Senator as party members call the pending race a chance for a party in need of a reset, rebranding, and bold centre-right ideas. The race should bring “fresh blood” and serious economic policies to a party in […]
Sajjan, Champagne charged with expanding Canada’s UN commitment, but will there be more troops on the ground?
As Canada once again ramps up its bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council, mandate letters for Canada’s foreign affairs and defence ministers outline an expansion of support for UN peacekeeping operations. But questions loom as to whether that will translate to more boots on the ground. “There’s very little they need […]
Senate spending up 1.2 per cent as Red Chamber to review high staff turnover
The costs of the Upper Chamber will continue to rise in the next fiscal year, after the committee responsible for managing the Senate’s finances approved a $1.4-million increase to the main spending estimates, bringing the budget to $115.6-million. While the Internal Economy, Budgets, and Administration Committee heard Dec. 12 that the 1.2 per cent increase […]
Shaken and stirred: Scheer’s poor instincts continue
OTTAWA—It seems a bit cruel to pile on Andrew Scheer now that he has officially announced his resignation as leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. But unfortunately, there is some more to say about his tenure in that job. First, for the positive: Scheer does deserve credit for holding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to […]
A roadmap for the government to act against gender-based violence
To its credit, the Trudeau government, 2.0 edition, has responded to the call I and other advocates have been making for a national action plan to combat gender-based violence. The Throne Speech was understandably short on details. Needless to say, the action plan should be truly comprehensive in its scope, embrace best practices, and be […]
Senators to debate cutting ‘opposition,’ critics, out of Senate rules
The leader of the Senate’s largest group has proposed cutting references to “opposition” leaders and legislation “critics” out of the Senate rulebook, the latest step in a campaign to permanently entrench the independence project begun in the Senate by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and carried on by many of the Senators he has appointed. Senator […]
All cabinet chiefs of staff now named, 12 of 36 are former Trudeau PMO aides
All 36 members of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet now have chiefs of staff in place to run their ministerial offices, and one-third of them are former aides in Mr. Trudeau’s office as prime minister. But first, some prime minister’s office staffing news: executive director of communications and planning Kate Purchase will soon be leaving the […]
Scheer’s departure is good news for his party
OTTAWA—Even in resignation, Andrew Scheer was unable to muster kind words for any party other than that of the Conservatives. His smile masked a bitterness that seemed to permeate his final goodbye to Parliament as leader. He had fine prose for the people in his own party, and much support for the sacrifices made by […]
Former Harper-era minister Michael Fortier ‘looking very seriously’ at run for Conservative leadership
Michael Fortier, a former trade minister in Stephen Harper’s cabinet, and vice-chairman of RBC Capital Markets, has been reaching out to key players in the Conservative Party to explore the possibility of running for the top job. John Reynolds, a former Conservative MP and a fundraiser for one of the groups that pushed Andrew Scheer […]
It is known: policy directors named for ministers Lebouthillier, Bibeau, Ng
Ministerial staffing on the Hill is coming along, with directors of policy now confirmed in the offices of International Trade and Small Business and Export Promotion Minister Mary Ng, Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, and National Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier. An avalanche of staffing news is expected soon, as ministers have until Dec. 20 to decide […]
