Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Nov. 24, 2020, revealed last week that Canadians will be behind other countries such as the U.S., the U.K., and Germany in getting their COVID-19 vaccination. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
‘That’s a tough one’: potential prolonged delay in COVID-19 vaccines for Canadians would be politically ‘explosive’ for Trudeau Liberals, say politicos
If Canadians are behind other countries in getting inoculated against COVID-19, the Liberals would not want a spring election, as speculated, since it would mean losing the government, say politicos.
Lambropoulos’ comments could be used against Grits in next election, say Liberal insiders, pollsters, and MPs
Quebecers are more upset with Liberal MP Emmanuella Lambropoulos’ comments about decline of French in Quebec than they were with the WE Charity scandal, says one Quebec Liberal insider.Race to replace MP Kent as Thornhill’s Conservative on the ballot a chance to ‘bring Conservatives back into the fold’, sign of ‘generational shift’, say early candidates
Two names have emerged stating their intentions of running for the party’s nomination in the riding so far, including long-time Conservative staffer Melissa Lantsman as well as Progressive Conservative MPP Gila Martow. Politics This Morning
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MPs, experts paying close attention to housing supply after very strong year of sales, despite COVID-19
During a banner year for home sales in Canada despite the economic downturn associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, both MPs and experts are watching the country's housing supply carefully in the months and years to come.Aerospace sector looks to government for help as pandemic grounds once high-flying industry
The aerospace industry is a big contributor to GDP and employs hundreds of thousands of Canadians. Many of Canada's biggest competitors in the space, like France, have doled out billions in sector specific relief.Feds need to flex creative muscles in pandemic messaging, say experts
The feds’ television ad campaigns featuring Dr. Theresa Tam don't sufficiently leverage the power of the medium, says Professor Alex Marland.
Ottawa projects three million Canadians could be vaccinated by March 2021
Though Canada no longer has the manufacturing ability to scale up production, the two most promising vaccines are produced using a new technology called mRNA, which is not widely available. MPs press Bibeau to give trade compensation timeline, details to struggling farmers
‘It’s caused a great deal of stress,’ and agriculture producers want an answer on compensation before 2020 closes, says Conservative MP Richard Lehoux.NDP’s spring convention offers chance to pit party’s vision against governing Liberals’, say members
For New Democrats, conventions often generate 'vigorous and energetic' debate on 'emerging policy' issues among the party faithful, says former NDP MP Libby Davies. DND says budget for Surface Combatants remains unchanged; PBO report expected in late February
In 2019, the PBO projected the cost of 15 CSC frigates to be nearly $70-billion. The defence department says the ships are still projected to cost between $56- and $60-billion. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Nov. 24, 2020, revealed last week that Canadians will be behind other countries such as the U.S., the U.K., and Germany in getting their COVID-19 vaccination. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
‘That’s a tough one’: potential prolonged delay in COVID-19 vaccines for Canadians would be politically ‘explosive’ for Trudeau Liberals, say politicos
If Canadians are behind other countries in getting inoculated against COVID-19, the Liberals would not want a spring election, as speculated, since it would mean losing the government, say politicos.
Something is afoot in the Indigenous world
Back in 2015, a campaigning Justin Trudeau promised that he would end all long-term boil water advisories on reserves across Canada within five years. He has had the five years, and nothing has changed.We need a made-in-Canada pandemic strategy, stat!
Putting Canadian jobs first would also ensure that when it comes to vaccines, we are not at the back of the line.COVID could trigger an outbreak of protectionism
If the economy goes into a tailspin, will Justin Trudeau and Jagmeet Singh follow Erin O’Toole’s lead? 
Equality for persons with disabilities on the line in new assisted dying bill
Some say that the suffering of disabling conditions falls strictly in the domain of medicine. But the agonizing quest of Sean Tagert, who died by MAID last August, teaches us otherwise.Feds make long-overdue start on levelling the playing field on data protection
A provision allowing organizations to disclose de-identified data to governments for 'socially beneficial' purposes is one of two likely controversial aspects of Bill C-11. Canada doesn’t need a shortcut to medically assisted dying for people with disabling conditions
It’s time for the government to hit pause on Bill C-7 and heed the cautions. 
President Trump and the damage still being done
Trump will still be president for another two months, which means he still has access to those levers of power which could shift global political fault lines for generations to come.Cause to celebrate with vaccines on the horizon, but we can’t let our guard down until then
There is a long, dark winter still ahead of us, no doubt, but miracles may await us over the horizon. And we can now be sure that the light at the end of this particular tunnel is not an oncoming train.The United States is in deep trouble, but democracy isn’t
The United States is the oldest democracy, but it’s a pretty primitive one. Consider the antique and ridiculous Electoral College, or the rudimentary social welfare system.
Economic, industry concerns top-lobbied issues amid return to Parliament and second COVID wave
Economic development, industry, health, and the environment were among the top-cited subjects in October’s 2,611 filings in the federal lobbying registry.
Three weeks to deadline, gridlocked Finance Committee’s pre-budget study in doubt
Opinions are mixed as to how useful the committee's pre-budget study even is, with former PBO Kevin Page saying, historically, it's been a 'wasted opportunity.'COVID-19 containment, economic recovery expected to drive fall lobbying
Lobbyists will also be keeping an eye on progress on the government's backlog of big-ticket legislation and regulatory reforms this session.
‘Our goal is to deconstruct the language of Canadian politics’: former Liberal MP Campbell publishes online dictionary of ‘unique Canadian political words, terms, phrases’
This just in: staffing update for Freeland’s finance ministerial team
Leslie Church, who was last chief of staff to Public Services Minister Anita Anand, is now director of policy to Chrystia Freeland as finance minister.
Remembering a trailblazer on giving Tuesday
On the eve of Giving Tuesday, it’s only appropriate that we honour Tracey Hubley’s generous spirit and keep her legacy of commitment to community going.
Veteran MP Kent won’t seek re-election, becoming third CPC MP to bow out of next race
Plus, things got heated in a recent Health Committee exchange, and Independent Senator Murray Sinclair is releasing a new book in 2022. ‘Our couch was our front line, our patience was our weapon’: German COVID ad hailing couch potatoes as heroes earns Trudeau’s nod
Plus, a new political party could be on the horizon in Ontario, thanks to efforts that are led by former Conservative leadership hopeful Jim Karahalios and his partner, Belinda.Chinese ambassador turns down invite to appear at Canada-China Relations Committee
Plus, Trudeau champions press freedom at an international conference, and MPs congratulate Biden and Harris on their election win and call on feds to extend invitation for a parliamentary address.
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Federal government has failed to champion Canada’s aerospace sector—and not just during COVID-19
A national aerospace strategy is needed to address the challenges faced by the Canadian aerospace sector before the pandemic struck, and the novel challenges that have arisen due to COVID-19, writes MP Matt Jeneroux.
Renewed hopes for humanity in space
A recognition that we share a fragile global commons like outer space as custodians, not just for ourselves but for future generations, is, frankly, the only realistic way forward for the sake of humanity.
Air transport system’s road to recovery will be long and challenging
A holistic approach is needed for a long-term aerospace recovery plan, and should include the three pillars of sustainability: economic, social and environmental dimensions, writes Prof. Nadia Bhuiyan.
Canada and Artemis Accords drive Soviet-era space rules into the 21st century
Canada has a role to play in bringing like-minded nations into the Artemis Accords, the new framework established to govern activities in outer space. Canadian aerospace at the crossroads
The road to post-COVID-19 recovery.
The definitive history of Canada’s role on the United Nations Security Council
The first definitive history of Canada's time on the UN Security Council is a must read for anyone interested in Canadian foreign policy.
Harold Johnson’s book Peace and Good Order is among five shortlisted books for this year's Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing. 
'I kind of just go ahead and do what I feel I should do, and get myself into situations where I’m thinking, "Oh, everybody here knows more than I do. But anyway, here goes." It served me very well,' says former Supreme Court chief justice Beverley McLachlin.
Patterns of interference, intimidation, and harassment of individual Canadians by the Chinese Communist Party ‘demand a response’ from the Canadian government, says veteran journalist Jonathan Manthorpe in his 2019 book. 
COVID-19: economic impacts and prospects
There are some potential game changers for outcomes—a vaccine; and a resurgence in international leadership and cooperation. Closer to home, we need a Canadian economic recovery plan that will boost confidence in the future with strategic and measured investments in long-term challenges and adjustment support for Canadians and businesses left behind by the coronavirus.
In what was supposed to be a period in which backbenchers and the opposition could wield more influence over the political debate, power and influence is arguably even more concentrated among a narrow cast of mostly familiar figures.
If we want to really honour Shannen Koostachin and the many children like her—we need to speak up, keep talking until government takes immediate action to end the inequality. If they don’t—vote them out because kids like Shannen are worth the money. The time for patience is over.
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Politics This Morning: Freeland to debut first fiscal document as finance minister
Plus, Senator Murray Sinclair says he's retiring in the new year shortly after his 70th birthday, five years before the mandatory retirement age. 
Provincial public health officials have legislated authority to act independently in emergencies, but organizationally, they remain beholden to their political masters and government employers. 
This is a savvy move by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who of late has been under heavy criticism for his overall management of the pandemic.
Canada could be on track to hit upwards of 60,000 new infections in December, unless individuals modify their behaviour and restrictions are tightened. 
We’re getting a lot of finger-waving, personal responsibility crap, which has always been a strawman argument to ignore the systemic and systematic failures in response to a global pandemic.The Hot Room Podcast
Canada's privacy laws set for biggest change in decades
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Politics This Morning
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In both the public and private spheres, including our universities, we are doing far too little to understand this new world and to pro-actively prepare for it. 
Any relapse by governments into confused messaging and contradictory actions risks eroding the public buy-in, depriving Canada of what up until now has been one of its greatest advantages.
The clearest culprit in the current mess is an ideology—the neoliberal preference for small government, the stubborn and wrong-headed belief that private sector is always more efficient, a distrust of science.
The Consumer Privacy Protection Act (CPPA) legislation will provide world-leading privacy and data protection for Canadians. It balances our drive for innovation with increased protection of Canadians’ online life. 
If we are to sustain human civilization, not only must we make changes at an accelerated pace, we must also recognize that they are within our reach.
The U.S.-Taliban deal only says that the Taliban need to start the talks, not make any progress.In new book, Roche offers recovery for a wounded world in the new Biden era
The Biden presidency is an opportunity for Canada and the world to step back from the brink and break free from that implied and sadly predictable global death wish.The definitive history of Canada’s role on the United Nations Security Council
The first definitive history of Canada's time on the UN Security Council is a must read for anyone interested in Canadian foreign policy. Katherine Koostachin joins PMO as a senior policy adviser
Plus, Women and Gender Equality Minister Maryam Monsef is in need of a new director of policy following Yanique Williams’ recent exit. Champagne hires new comms director from environment minister’s team
Louis Hamann recently exited his role as director of communications to Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne.‘This is a national crisis, not a series of provincial pandemics,’ says columnist Gilmore, urging PM to take ‘national response’
Plus, two former Hill staffers are hired by two separate public relations and affairs firms, and a former NDP MP returns to her mayoral post in La Loche, Sask.The Hill to honour Remembrance Day in minimalist ceremony with vintage flyover
Plus, Yasmin Ratansi resigns from the Liberal caucus and Hillites commemorate the life of Alex Trebek.As union members face COVID-19 pandemic ‘head on,’ PSAC calls for feds to return to bargaining table
Treasury Board spokesperson Martin Potvin says the government's goal is to take 'constructive steps to keep meeting and to prepare for negotiations when they resume.'‘Critical situation’ in prisons as health-care workers threaten to walk over lack of protective equipment
'The Correctional Service of Canada continues to take a number of preventative measures to restrict the spread of COVID-19 in federal institutions,' according to the office of Public Safety Minister Bill Blair. No more Hill parties, after coronavirus pandemic forces Parliament Hill to shut down
'Politics and the Pen is probably the exact opposite of social distancing. We cram so many people into the ballroom that you can barely keep one to two inches away,' says Jim Armour. Sorbara makes ’em howl at the Métropolitain
Pat Sorbara's new book, Let 'em Howl, offers lessons learned over a more than four-decade career in federal and provincial politics as a high-ranking Liberal backroomer. Mexico calls on Canada to maintain new measures protecting migrant workers
Inspections, national housing standards, and continuing a binational contact group are among key commitments Mexico would like from Canada, says its consular head in Ottawa.
Hungarian envoy sees a ‘new momentum’ for bilateral relationship
Mária Éva Vass-Salazar says her priorities in Ottawa include tightening political connections, trade, innovation, and co-operation through NATO.
Please allow me to introduce myself: O’Toole out on fundraising and meet-and-greet circuit this week, by Zoom
Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole, pictured Oct. 28, 2020, on the Hill, will be busy this week as he attends meet and greet functions and party fundraisers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Nov. 20, 2020, was back at Rideau Cottage, a familiar backdrop for Canadians who tuned for his press briefings during the first wave of the pandemic. Trudeau pleaded with the public to limit social contacts and to take it upon themselves to help flatten while the country is in the grip of a second wave that could be grimmer than the first.
