NDP’s Qaqqaq announces planned departure from federal politics
NDP MP Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, who garnered attention this year for her Nunavut housing tour, announced on May 20 that she will not be re-offering in the next election. The news broke on Twitter through a written statement from the first-term MP, which did not touch on the exact reason she decided to leave politics. Ms. […]
Meet Marci Surkes, the PMO’s air traffic controller
Marci Surkes, now executive director of policy and cabinet affairs to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has seen a lot over her 14 years on the Hill—spanning five Parliaments and four Liberal leaders—but nothing like the challenges, and pressures, wrought by the outbreak of COVID-19. “Everyone in these positions [of power] felt that similar pinch, of […]
Staff on the move in Prime Minister Trudeau’s office
With the summer recess drawing near, there’s been lots of staff movement on the Hill of late, including in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office, where there have been four hires, four staff exits, and one title-change since Hill Climbers last checked in. That’s on top of the usual (for this time of year) slate of […]
Heath wins $50,000 Donner Prize for best public policy book of the year
Joseph Heath, author of The Machinery of Government: Public Administration and the Liberal State, published by Oxford University Press, won this year’s prestigious $50,000 Donner Prize for the best public policy book of the year on May 19. The Donner Canadian Foundation said in a press release that the book “dissects one of the largest […]
New directors for policy, comms in Diversity, Inclusion, and Youth Minister Chagger’s office
Diversity, Inclusion, and Youth Minister Bardish Chagger has seen a number of senior staff changes of late, most recently naming two new directors in her office. Riyadh Nazerally started on the job as Ms. Chagger’s new director of communications and issues management on May 10. Until then, he’d spent the last almost three years working […]
de Adder’s Take: 05-24-2021
Former environment commish Gelfand to take part in ‘Engaging Government for Environmental Policy Research: The View from Ottawa’ on May 26
MONDAY, MAY 24 House Sitting—The House is sitting in a hybrid format during the pandemic, with most MPs connecting remotely. It will resume sitting May 25, then every weekday until Wednesday, June 23, and will then break for three months, until Monday, Sept. 20. In the fall and winter, the House is scheduled to sit […]
‘Cautious optimism’ in talks to reopen non-essential travel with Canada, says new EU envoy
It may soon be time for Canadians to pack their luggage for Europe as European Union member nations are currently in talks over how and when borders will reopen for non-essential travel, says the European Union’s newest envoy to Canada. EU Ambassador Melita Gabrič said resuming non-essential travel will be based on a number of […]
Comms team changes for ministers Lametti, Tassi, and Champagne
Justice Minister David Lametti is in want of a new press secretary, following Rachel Rappaport’s recent exit to become director of communications to Labour Minister Filomena Tassi as of May 10. Ms. Rappaport had been tackling media queries for Mr. Lametti for the last two years, starting in April 2019, before which she was a […]
SOCAN to toast Pierre Elliott Trudeau
The Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) will soon be toasting an instantly recognizable political figure, the late Pierre Elliott Trudeau. Mr. Trudeau is being recognized thanks to his having been prime minister during the birth of Cancon in January of 1971, adding these drinks raised to his sizeable list of achievements. The […]
