NDP MP’s ‘Create Your Canada’ contest catching on as way to engage, educate Canadians
Ten years since its inception, NDP MP Nathan Cullen’s contest to turn a policy pitch from one lucky constituent into a private members’ bill has been catching on among his caucus colleagues as an innovative way to engage, educate, and excite everyday Canadians about the federal legislative process. “We’re watching SNC-Lavalin, how they were trying […]
‘Sign up’ and ‘chip in’: how the federal parties use Facebook ads to get your money
You have to spend money to make money, and the Liberal and Conservative parties of Canada have for years now used low-cost digital advertising to do that, and more. The two major federal parties have run ads constantly since the last election, matching the 24/7 modern news cycle with a ubiquitous advertising presence on the […]
Reeling from Wilson-Raybould’s explosive testimony, Liberal MPs brace for more damaging fallout on SNC-Lavalin controversy
Reeling from former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould’s damning testimony, which accuses 11 top Liberal government officials, including the prime minister, of political interference in the SNC-Lavalin scandal, Liberal MPs say they can fight their political opponents, but not one of their own “who continues to fire at us.” “Nobody can save us when one of […]
How the Conservatives are (unwittingly) helping Bernier
OAKVILLE, ONT.—People’s Party Leader Maxime Bernier should be grateful for all the free help he’s getting from the Conservative Party of Canada. And, yes, believe it or not, the Conservatives are actually helping their fledgling rival on the right, by constantly attacking Bernier and his party. That sounds counterintuitive, I know, but let me explain. […]
Senate’s plans to study C-69 stalled weeks after travel agreement struck
Despite an agreement to tour the country as part of its study of the Liberals’ sweeping environmental-assessment bill, the Senate Energy Committee still doesn’t have firm plans for its travel, leading some to suggest a deliberate opposition delay. But Conservative Senators say the Upper Chamber still has plenty of time to get through its review […]
Jagmeet Singh passed his first test, but now it’s time for the next big one
The New Democrats and their leader, Jagmeet Singh, are breathing a big sigh of relief after Monday’s byelection victory in Burnaby South, B.C. But they should think twice if they think they can stop waiting to exhale, because it’s only a small (albeit significant) hurdle that’s been cleared. Mr. Singh has a lot of ground […]
Singh’s byelection win brings ‘stability,’ say politicos, but NDP still has a long road before October
After a rocky start as NDP leader, Jagmeet Singh’s byelection win should quiet internal concerns about his future and bring at least a period of stability for the party as it seeks to “change the channel” and capitalize on an opening for the leader to prove himself on the national stage, say political pundits. But […]
Security boosts rankle some Senators as they adapt to new building
The new Senate of Canada Building may be an “architectural gem,” but there were still a few lumps of coal to be sifted out last week as Senators returned from their winter break to the Upper Chamber’s new temporary home. Senators came back Feb. 19 for their first sitting in the new Chamber in the […]
Canada carrying a hypocritical torch in stand against Maduro
OTTAWA—I must say that I find it quite disturbing that Canada has positioned itself at the forefront of what appears to be an imminent regime change in Venezuela. I say this not because I am a supporter of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, but rather because I consider myself a proud Canadian. We were born out […]
Rewrite Senate anti-harassment policy, says Upper Chamber subcommittee
The Senate needs to start from scratch when it comes to its anti-harassment policy, instead of merely updating its existing decade-old document, says a group of Senators tasked with studying the Upper Chamber’s anti-harassment rules. “When the subcommittee was charged with reviewing the current policy, members knew that they were undertaking a considerably broad task […]
