Liberals to use two-pronged strategy in 2019 campaign: ‘demonize the right’ and ‘steal’ from the left, say NDP, Conservative MPs
The governing Liberals are already in the 2019 election campaign mode, but opposition MPs say Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s strategy to “demonize” the right and “steal” policy ideas from the left won’t work and plan to focus on the Grits’ unkept promises in the next federal campaign. “That seems to be their strategy that they’re […]
Among Conservative rivals, Andrew Scheer’s leadership deathwatch is already underway
Next month, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer will celebrate the first anniversary of his successful bid to succeed Stephen Harper in the probable knowledge that some of his former rivals—as well as other ambitious Conservatives—are holding a bit of a deathwatch on his leadership. As unpleasant as that may sound, he should not take it personally. […]
Registry, or not? Gun bill’s ‘reference number’ tracking system explained
The government’s controversial gun safety bill will create a new RCMP database to hold information on who has bought and sold guns and when they did so, drawing comparisons from gun control opponents and Conservative politicians to the unpopular gun registry of the 1990s-Chrétien government. The Liberals have strongly, repeatedly denied that Bill C-71 creates […]
This just in: The Hill Times to host its Party on the Hill on May 23
The Hill Times is hosting its annual Party on the Hill on May 23, and everyone who works on the Hill is invited. The party will feature a taco bar, a dessert bar, a live band, a photo booth, and, of course, provide a perfect opportunity to network. Last year’s summer shindig in the East Block […]
House Ethics Committee probe into Cambridge Analytica-Facebook scandal ‘just scratching the surface,’ say MPs
The House Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Committee has wrapped its second week studying the Cambridge Analytica-Facebook personal data breach, but after testimony from Canadian-firm AggregateIQ, there are more questions than answers. “For every question we ask there are several questions more, and obviously someone is not telling the truth,” said Conservative MP Peter […]
PBO preparing to tackle challenge of costing party platforms in 2019, with lessons learned by recent practice run
Questions remain over how the parliamentary budget officer’s new responsibility to cost party platforms during the next federal election will shake out, but the office is already busy preparing, with a practice-run recently completed and plans to double its staff and strike information-sharing agreements with departments underway. “It’s going to be the first time ever […]
Time to rethink Harper’s ‘negative’ legacy?
OAKVILLE, ONT.—I don’t think former prime minister Stephen Harper is ever going to get one, but in my view many of Canada’s top pundits and journalists owe him an apology. Or at the very least, pundits and journalists in this country should acknowledge how wrong they were to constantly castigate Harper during his term in […]
Minister Bennett’s chief of staff heads to PMO, new press secretary in top office
A string of staff changes has taken place in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office, including the recent addition of Rick Theis as a new policy adviser. Before his recent move to the PMO, Mr. Theis had been serving as chief of staff to Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett since shortly after she […]
Enough with the misogyny
TORONTO—It is a Monday, April 23, and it is beautiful. Clear, warm. A big blue sky. Exiting a Traveler’s Canada panel on distracted driving at the Economic Club, I stepped onto Yonge Street and ran into Mark Warner, one of Canada’s best trade lawyers. We talked about how Chrystia Freeland and team were doing with […]
Canada should embrace Marcon’s urgent message to defend West, reinvigorate multilateralism
TORONTO—In an inspired and inspiring speech to the U.S. Congress that directly challenged the narrow America First foreign policy of U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron has set out the urgent need to defend the shared values of the West, to reinvigorate multilateralism, and to strengthen our multilateral institutions. It was a message […]
