NDP MPs back leader’s decision to investigate caucus colleague Erin Weir
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh’s decision to announce that he had appointed a third-party investigator to look into harassment allegations against NDP MP Erin Weir, and to remove the MP from caucus duties, was a “wise move,” “necessary,” and took the “right tone,” say caucus colleagues, though Mr. Weir has said he doesn’t know what is being […]
Trudeau has defied expectations, but the next two years may only get tougher
OTTAWA—Toward the end of the 2015 election campaign, Justin Trudeau was chatting with reporters on the tarmac near his chartered Liberal aircraft when someone asked if he really thought his party could win big on Oct. 19. After all, it was pointed out, no federal party had ever converted a third-place standing into a majority […]
Democratic Institutions Minister Gould hires new press secretary
Democratic Institutions Minister Karina Gould recently hired Nicky Cayer to her ministerial staff team as the office’s new press secretary. Until recently, Ms. Cayer was working on the Hill as a legislative assistant to Liberal MP David Lametti, who’s represented LaSalle-Émard-Verdun, Que., since 2015, after being elected in the riding with almost 44 per cent of […]
Dynastic politics is alive and well in Ontario
OTTAWA—The saga of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, from the resignation of Patrick Brown now to the race to replace him, has captured part of the national political stage. The plot twists are many and they seem to keep on coming. No one can reasonably guess whether this will be boom or bust for the […]
The government’s ‘air traffic controller’: peeking behind the curtain of the PCO
It’s the department that never sleeps. The Privy Council Office could be described as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s department, and Clerk Michael Wernick as his deputy minister. One of the most important government bodies, it advises Mr. Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) and his cabinet, and co-ordinates the public service to implement the government’s agenda. Housed within […]
Improv group monkeys around with MP Julie Dzerowicz
Liberal MP Julie Dzerowicz landed herself a spot as a celebrity guest on the Canadian live comedy show Monkey Toast after a chance encounter with its host David Shore. “I thought he was a local resident and he happened to be the host,” Ms. Dzerowicz said of the encounter last year while visiting a farmer’s market in a park located in […]
All the president’s madmen: making America crazy again
Browsing in a Montreal bookstore the other day, I came across the French version of All the President’s Men, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein’s 1974 bestseller chronicling their Pulitzer-Prize-winning reporting on the unravelling of Richard Nixon’s presidency. It’s not called Tous les Hommes du Président, which would have been faithful to the English, presumably because both the […]
Itching to regain Mulcair’s ‘symbolic’ Montreal riding, Hill staffer is first in expected crowded Liberal nomination race
A cabinet minister’s chief of staff is throwing her name in the ring to again become the Liberal candidate to fight in what’s expected to be a tight two-way race against the NDP in a byelection in Montreal to be called once former NDP leader Thomas Mulcair steps down as a Member of Parliament in June. […]
Kinsella’s ‘affidavits’ column prompts speculation, PM, party leaders asked about sexual conduct as #MeToo hits the Hill
In response to some criticism that he fanned the flames of Ottawa’s rumour mill in a column he penned featuring a sensational story of a “very powerful” politician who used affidavits to silence victims, Warren Kinsella says his assertions are true and he received so much reaction from people because they’ve heard “similar allegations.” “I […]
MPs say caucus ‘energized,’ united under Singh as NDP head to policy convention
The upcoming policy convention will serve as a springboard for leader Jagmeet Singh, according to NDP MPs who say he has strengthened the mood in caucus, bringing new energy, ideas, and voices to the party. “He’s young and progressive and positive and energetic. I think he brings a real sense of excitement to our party,” […]
