Loosen parties’ grip on backbenchers, say former MPs in sweeping, new Samara report
Many former parliamentarians grew increasingly disillusioned with the political process over their tenure as it became clear that protection of the party brand superseded their ability to make independent calls, according to a new study published Tuesday. In Flip the Script, a new report from Samara Canada, a non-profit organization that promotes civic engagement in […]
Canada’s first female parliamentary librarian talks legacy, retirement, and future of the Library of Parliament
At the opposite end of the magnificent Library of Parliament in Centre Block, tucked quietly behind nondescript wooden doors, is the office of the chief librarian, and for the past six years, Sonia L’Heureux kept that seat warm. Canada’s first female parliamentary librarian was nominated by former prime minister Stephen Harper and was appointed by […]
Advice for legislators studying Bill C-76: electoral reform should guard system integrity while ensuring voter accessibility
REGINA—On the federal electoral reform front, recent debate has centered on differences between refinements instituted by the former Conservative government through the Fair Elections Act and changes proposed recently in Bill C-76 by the current Liberal administration. The debate has seemingly focused on changes to particular parts of our electoral procedures that have been under […]
Bloc Québécois’ division helping make Quebec most ‘critical’ battleground for 2019: Greg Lyle
Upheaval within the Bloc Québécois, and the emergence of the new Québec debout party from its defectors, are helping make Quebec a “critical” battleground for 2019, says pollster Greg Lyle, and the province presents the “most interesting dynamic in the next election right now.” “In the past, people said, ‘Well, we have to watch the […]
Kathleen Wynne made it all about Kathleen Wynne
TORONTO—Kathleen Wynne’s former cabinet colleague doesn’t mince words. “Kathleen is all about Kathleen,” the former colleague says. “That’s always her focus.” A former Liberal candidate, Jim Curran, was livid about Wynne’s ahistorical decision to concede defeat days before the vote, thereby consigning her candidates and caucus to political oblivion. Said Curran: “What Kathleen did to […]
When the going got tough, the tough bowed out
OTTAWA—Nobody wants to vote for a loser. Which is why in most elections, even the candidate who is running last has an intrinsic belief that they can win. Even those who are savvy enough to read the numbers, keep up a bold front for the sake of their supporters. To keep the volunteers pumped, candidates […]
Republicans pressure Trump to drop tariffs after Trudeau retaliation, but it might not matter, say U.S. trade watchers
Republican lawmakers are pushing back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., likely making the case that the move could pave the road to his impeachment, say a former trade adviser to U.S. politicians and a Canadian lobbyist tracking the trade battle. “The only hope there is the Republican leadership […]
Emboldened by Ontario’s election results, opposition MPs warn Liberals ‘there are no safe seats,’ anymore, but Grits say they’re not taking anything for granted
Emboldened by a sweeping majority win in the most populous province in the country last week, Conservatives and NDP on the Hill say there are no safe seats for federal Liberals in Ontario in 2019, but the Grits say they aren’t take anything for granted after Ontario Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne’s spectacular and crushing defeat […]
Trudeau’s trade travails
OAKVILLE, ONT.—I can sympathize with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s current NAFTA problem, since it reminds of me of a trade dilemma I once faced while working on a Republican Senatorial primary campaign. Now don’t get me wrong, my dilemma wasn’t of national importance, but it did present my campaign with the same ideological challenge currently […]
Global News’ Mike Le Couteur, Liberal MP Ouellette scrap over soccer match
Liberal MP Robert-Falcon Ouellette was not too impressed when Hill reporters had to cancel a soccer match they were going to play against MPs on June 4. “Little known fact. The House of Commons has a soccer club @FCCommoners. The journalists were supposed to play us tonight in a friendly, but again they have cancelled, 2nd […]
