Guy Caron: the economic policy wonk who wants to lead the NDP
Guy Caron is a policy wonk with a personality. That’s how Robin MacLachlan, a former NDP staffer now with Summa Strategies, describes him anyways. Over the years, Mr. Caron has gone from “policy wonk to politician,” said Mr. MacLachlan, who has known Mr. Caron since before his time in politics. He’s an “activist turned leader” and “economic […]
The pre-existing dysfunction of American health care
For Canadians who thought debates over the byzantine and uniquely inefficient American health-care system ended on March 23, 2010 when then-president Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law, the weeks since Donald Trump was inaugurated have been an eye opener. After years of symbolic votes to “repeal and replace” Obamacare, the Republicans who […]
With O’Leary gone, Conservatives dodged a nuclear missile
OTTAWA—Kevin O’Leary, we hardly knew you! Your political career is over in the blink of an eye. You say it is because you were being selfless and putting the interests of the Conservative Party first. Some cynics, me among them, wonder if you were more concerned about the impact of a lost leadership on the […]
Status of government bills
House of Commons S-2, Strengthening Motor Vehicle Safety for Canadians Act (second reading) C-4, An Act to Amend the Canada Labour Code, Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act, Public Service Labour Relations Act, and Income Tax Act (consideration of amendments made by the Senate) C-5, An Act to Repeal Division 20 of Part 3 of […]
Health minister hires new parliamentary affairs director
Health Minister Jane Philpott recently filled a vacancy among her senior staff ranks, hiring Jordan Miller to serve as her new director of parliamentary affairs. Previously, Peter Cleary was parliamentary affairs director to the minister, but he left the Hill early last month and is now a senior consultant at Toronto-based public affairs, policy, and […]
The playbook is back in Washington
LONDON, U.K.—It was striking, in United States media coverage of Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office, that most observers noted with relief that his foreign policy has turned out to be less radical than they feared. In fact, it’s not radical at all. He has already fired cruise missiles at a Middle Eastern country, […]
Ministry asks $30 per minute for data, despite Brison’s order to drop ATIP fees
The federal immigration ministry is asking up to $30 per minute to process a public request for immigration data, despite the Liberal government’s directive last year to waive extra fees for access to information requests and commitment to making government information open by default. One advocate of government transparency said the $30-per-minute proposed charge thwarts the intent […]
O’Leary supporters have potential to throw Conservative race wide open
MONTREAL—With the Conservative crown slipping from his grasp, Kevin O’Leary settled on becoming kingmaker last week. But will the decision to throw his support to Maxime Bernier do the trick? On that, the evidence is mixed. There is not a Canadian political junkie who does not remember the high drama that attended Stéphane Dion’s upset […]
Why the Conservative membership total blew away insider projections
The Conservative Party blew past estimates from leadership candidates, pollsters, and party insiders by signing up 259,010 members by the March 28 cutoff to vote in the federal party’s leadership race on May 27. Estimates by those close to the race had ranged from 150,000 to 200,000 over the past few months, far below the number of […]
Natural gas leak temporarily shuts down some Parliamentary Precinct buildings
PARLIAMENT HILL—At least four buildings in the Parliamentary Precinct, including the Prime Minister’s Office, were temporarily evacuated Tuesday afternoon after a construction crew working on the light rail system hit a gas line on Queen Street. The massive gas leak, which sounded like a giant and loud hissing noise, also forced the evacuation of about four blocks […]
