MacKay shakes things up at PC Leader’s Office and HQ: Rick Morgan succeeds Graham Fox as Tory leader’s chief of staff
Peter MacKay is getting it rough these days. Pilloried by the media, political pundits and members of his own party for making a controversial deal with Saskatchewan farmer David Orchard to seal his victory of the Tory leadership, the newly-minted leader of the Progressive Conservative Party is quietly shaking things up in the Tory Leader’s […]
Gun registry beyond redemption
It seems to me that the federal firearms registry is a modern day equivalent to the emperor’s new clothes. Not only will it fail to protect us from the elements (in this case criminal ones), but is also downright foolish in appearance, practicality, and cost. Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba were the first ones laughing at […]
“How will CanWest News’ recent layoffs of veteran Hill reporters, such as Susan Delacourt and Joan Bryden, impact federal political coverage?”
Warren Kinsella Liberal strategist “Off the top, I’ll declare a conflict: Bryden and Delacourt are both friends, so I oppose any move to keep them from doing what they do best — which is political journalism. That kind of journalistic experience and excellence is impossible to easily recapture, so — yes — I wonder what […]
Tories walk the walk
Of course Canadian Alliance Leader Stephen Harper is “shocked” and “troubled” by Peter MacKay’s win. In his victory, MacKay reconfirmed there will be no merger or agreement to protect Alliance candidates in some regions of the country. Since the PC Party voted a year ago to reconfirm its commitment to the 301 rule, the Alliance […]
Let the sun shine in
The House passed Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s highly controversial Campaigns and Elections Finance Bill in a vote of 172-62 last Wednesday evening. The bill is expected to be passed by the Senate in July. The bill is a positive step in the right direction for more accountability and transparency. It also puts elections financing into […]
Western Canadian Tories feel burned by Maritime Tories
Maritimes Tories have pretty well burned their bridges to western Canada. Whatever they say, the answer is basically “go away,” “get lost” or “drop dead.” There’s nothing left to say to them. It’s truly over. John Stark Richmond, B.C. Maritimes Tories have pretty well burned their bridges to western Canada. Whatever they say, the answer […]
I went to a garden party: PM entertains Hill media at 24 Sussex
Prime Minister Jean Chretien and his wife, Aline, entertained the Parliamentary Press Gallery at 24 Sussex Drive last Thursday at what is likely to have been their last annual garden party for the press. The Chretiens held the event in a big tent on the back lawn discreetly surrounded by about a dozen plainclothes Mounties, […]
It’s also Ukrainian
Great article in last week’s Hill Climbers column “Ukranian students say it’s a ‘life-changing’ experience,” (The Hill Times, June 9). However, the word “Ukrainian” was spelled incorrectly “Ukranian” as opposed to “Ukrainian” throughout the piece five times, including the title. Also, according to Canadian Press style, it is simply “Ukraine,” without a “the” preceding it. […]
Name three good things Libs have done
I am from Western Canada, Alberta to be exact. I was just wondering can anyone tell me three things our current federal government has done in all the years in power that helped guys like me, your ordinary hard-working Joe Blow? Please don’t say the gun registry or I’ll know you’re a politician! I bet […]
MPs’ and Senators’ Birthdays
*Bloc MP Ghislain Lebel, 57, Feb. 17, 1946 *Bloc MP Michel Gauthier, 53, Feb. 18, 1950 *Secretary of State David Kilgour, 62, Feb. 18, 1941 *Tory Sen. David Tkachuk, 58, Feb. 18, 1945 *Alliance MP Art Hanger, 60, Feb. 19, 1943 *Liberal MP Guy St-Julien, 63, Feb. 19, 1940 *Tory MP Bill Casey, 58, Feb. […]