Independent Senators cool to upcoming motion to investigate SNC-Lavalin/PMO scandal
Several Independent Senators signalled last week they would likely oppose a Conservative motion for the Senate to investigate the SNC-Lavalin scandal plaguing the Prime Minister’s Office, saying such an investigation would be “premature,” based on unsubstantiated allegations, or not the Senate’s job. The Senate has not yet begun debating the motion introduced by Conservative Senate […]
West Block’s a billion-dollar beauty, but MPs, staffers say new Chamber has some kinks to iron out
When rookie Conservative MP Tom Kmiec stood up in the newly-renovated House Chamber in the West Block on Jan. 30 to present two petitions, he said he had some trouble catching House Speaker Geoff Regan’s eye. The lighting was too bright. “That’s the thing you notice first, the LED lights are aimed at us, they’re […]
SNC-Lavalin and Wilson-Raybould resignation has hit federal government hard
HALIFAX—The Jody Wilson-Raybould cabinet resignation/SNC-Lavalin controversy has hit the Liberal government hard. The first person hit was Gerald Butts, the prime minister’s university buddy and handler. His departure as principal secretary was as unexpected as Donald Trump passing a lie detector test, or Doug Ford going to night school to improve his French. Is the demise of the Trudeau […]
The real scandal is yet to come
CHELSEA, QUE.—As of this morning, we have not heard former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould’s version of the scandal engulfing her prime minister and her party. She was scheduled to testify before the Commons Justice Committee this week, but whether she will still consider herself bound by client-solicitor privilege, or finally free to speak openly, is […]
Butts’ exit poses challenge for Trudeau PMO, will be ‘exceedingly difficult’ to replace: Liberal strategists
Now-former principal secretary Gerald Butts’ sudden exit from the Prime Minister’s Office poses a challenge for the government and leaves a gap that will be “exceedingly difficult” to fill, say former Liberal staffers and strategists, but they expect it will be a stumble, not a fall for the PMO. “It doesn’t matter what organization you’re […]
The thankless task of Gerry Butts
OAKVILLE, ONT.—For a reason I can’t fully comprehend, my American colleagues—political operatives I’ve worked with on campaigns from days gone by—are always curious about what’s going on politically in Canada. So naturally, I had to inform them when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s principal secretary, Gerald Butts, unexpectedly resigned. To one of my American friends I […]
‘Nervous’ Liberal MPs awaiting Wilson-Raybould’s testimony, as SNC-Lavalin controversy causes fissures in party, say Grits and pundits
Liberal MPs and staffers say they are nervously awaiting to hear former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould’s version of the “truth,” and response to numerous unanswered questions about the SNC-Lavalin affair that are causing fissures in the party when she appears before the House Justice Committee this week. In interviews with The Hill Times last week, […]
Prime Minister’s Office adds to communications, correspondence team
Aside from the recent high-profile exit of now-former PMO principal secretary Gerald Butts, a few other, unrelated, staffing changes have taken place in the Prime Minister’s Office of late. Bernadeth Betchi Nnomo has joined the communications and planning unit in the PMO as a new special assistant. She marked her first day at work in […]
Wernick unequivocal he never rebuked Wilson-Raybould
OTTAWA—Michael Wernick almost never smiles. He is the epitome of rectitude, an example of a public servant who serves political masters with rapier logic and never meddles in politics. The clerk of the Privy Council proved Thursday why Canadians have no need to fear an abuse of judicial due process in the SNC-Lavalin affair. Wernick […]
Wilson-Raybould holds ‘fate’ of government in her hands, unprecedented leverage over Trudeau, say political watchers
Former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould appears to be holding the “fate” of the government in her hands, which gives her leverage over Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, says a former top government official, while others say the primes minister needs to offer an “alternative narrative,” backed up by clear facts and details; otherwise, Canadians will draw […]
