Chiefs of staff on the move: Champagne, Joly, MacAulay change top staffers as new session of Parliament begins
Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne hired a new chief of staff in his office as of last week, after Daniel Lauzon moved from his post helming Economic Development and Official Languages Minister Mélanie Joly’s office to take on the job. Mr. Lauzon’s first day in Mr. Champagne’s office was Sept. 21. He replaces Laurence Deschamps-Laporte, whose time in […]
Photo of the Day
A Throne Speech, in a global pandemic
The Throne Speech ceremony usually involves 21-gun salute and two musical salutes. It was a scaled-back affair due to the pandemic , with fewer soldiers participating the ceremony. The event also typically draws dignitaries, former MPs, diplomats, political staff, and MPs. Governor General Julie Payette arrives at the Senate of Canada Building, where she delivered […]
Photo of the Day
Photo of the Day
Back in business: Parliament kicks off a new session
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23 Return of Parliament and Speech from the Throne—The House of Commons will return from the first mid-mandate prorogation called by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Aug. 18. The government will lay out its priorities in the Throne Speech. Politics and the Pen 2020: Digital Edition—Politics and the Pen will hold a virtual […]
They’re back: 25 Members of Parliament to watch this session
In a minority Parliament, players beyond the government’s front benches typically have more chance to make an impact. Thanks to COVID-19, the last session of the 43rd Parliament saw a limited parliamentary schedule, and as the pandemic reshapes the political landscape, backbenchers and opposition MPs alike have seen some of their influence dwindle and power arguably […]
PMO shuffles public service, with new PHAC president named
The Public Health Agency of Canada, a once little-known and underreported government agency that’s now in the crossfires of Canadian political and public policy, has a new leader at the helm—just days after president Tina Namiesniowski stepped down from the role amid the highest uptick in COVID-19 cases in Canada since the mid-summer. Following the abrupt resignation of […]
Conservatives huddle ahead of Throne Speech
Conservative Deputy Leader Candice Bergen, pictured Sept. 22, was questioned on her party’s resistance to the adoption of remote voting. She says the House held a test run yesterday, and there were a ‘lot of hiccups.’ Conservative House Leader Gérard Deltell, pictured Sept. 22, in a scrum with reporters before the national caucus meeting. Conservative […]
Premiers come to town
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says a boost in federal funding for health care would help provinces hit hard by the pandemic—Ontario, Quebec, particularly—brace for ‘any scenario this fall.’ Quebec Premier François Legault and his counterparts stuck to the same script, calling on the feds to contribute ‘its fair share’ in paying for the costs associated […]
