‘Let’s get on with the contest now’: chorus of prominent Conservatives calling for Scheer’s ouster continues to grow
The list of prominent Harper-era staffers calling for Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer to step down has continued to grow, with one ex-Conservative MP saying that among his former constituents, “there’s a feeling that if there was a time” the Conservative leader could beat Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, “it was this time.” Sara MacIntyre, who worked […]
Miller pledges to be ‘personally’ involved in talks to settle child welfare case
Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says he plans to be “personally” involved in the discussions to reach a settlement that would compensate First Nations children affected by the on-reserve child-welfare system. Speaking to reporters following his address at the Assembly of First Nations’ Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa, Mr. Miller (Ville-Marie -Le Sud-Ouest-Île-des-Sœurs, Que.) said […]
PMO finalizes the chiefs of staff of 22 cabinet ministers; senior PMO staffer Bouchard moves to Heritage
With the House of Commons set to return later this week for its first sitting following the election, the Prime Minister’s Office has finalized the top staffers in 22 ministerial offices, and has set up a website to solicit resumés for hiring in the offices of MPs, ministers, and the Prime Minister’s Office, according to […]
Middle class isn’t going to prosper just because it has its own minister
TORONTO—We now have a minister for the middle class. But the middle class isn’t going to prosper just because it has its own minister. What really matters is our success in building an innovative and competitive economy while ensuring the benefits are fairly distributed. A more productive economy is the key to so much of […]
‘No such thing as too many cooks’: Freeland and Champagne to balance crucial Canada-U.S. relationship
As the new NAFTA crawls towards implementation, it is natural for new Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland to keep her responsibility over the Canada-U.S. file, say former diplomats, but it is unclear how incoming Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne fits into the fold. Ms. Freeland (University-Rosedale, Ont.) and Mr. Champagne (Saint-Maurice-Champlain, Que.) will both have […]
McNair set to exit as PMO policy head, Surkes tapped to take over
Some big staff changes are afoot in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office, with his policy head of the last seven years, Michael McNair, set to exit the office, and the Hill, at the end of the year. Marci Surkes is already lined up to replace Mr. McNair and lead the PMO’s policy and cabinet affairs […]
Liberals can manage this minority, but sunny ways must end
OTTAWA—There was a rumour flying around last week that former prime minister Jean Chrétien would be meeting with the new Liberal cabinet. It turned out, like many rumours, to be a half truth. In fact, as reported in The Hill Times, the current prime minister would be sitting down with his predecessor to seek advice […]
Controversial Senate ‘business committee’ back on agenda when Red Chamber returns
A controversial proposal to pre-schedule legislative work in the Senate is expected to be back on the agenda when the Red Chamber returns, even after Sen. Peter Harder, its most vocal supporter, announced on Friday that he’s stepping down from his role as the government’s representative. Senators are divided over the notion that they should […]
Steeltown stays orange by electing Green
David Christopherson’s nearly 35-year run representing parts of Hamilton at every level of government came to an end after the Oct. 21 federal election, but Mr. Christopherson’s legacy will remain largely intact through his successor, and friend, rookie NDP MP Matthew Green. Mr. Green (Hamilton Centre, Ont.) was sworn in on the Hill on Tuesday, […]
Humbled Trudeau changes leadership style, but unclear if it’s ‘just a different role he’s playing for now,’ say politicos
After dealing with numerous high-profile controversies in his first mandate, being reduced to a minority government in last month’s election, losing 27 seats, and shedding 6.37 percentage points in the national vote, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s transformation from a celebrity politician to a “humbled” leader is the right approach, say political insiders who say it […]
