O’Toole hires a new regional adviser, writer, and media monitor in OLO
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole has a few new faces in his office as official opposition leader, including new lead writer Paul Oleniuk. Mr. Oleniuk has spent the last almost five years tackling legislative and communications work for Conservative MP Cathy McLeod, who represents Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, B.C. During his time in her office, Ms. McLeod served as […]
Monsef to take part in Rural Ontario Municipal Association Conference, Jan. 25-26
MONDAY, JAN. 25 House Sitting—The House will likely be sitting in a hybrid format during the pandemic, with most MPs connecting remotely. It’s scheduled to return on Monday, Jan. 25-Feb. 5. It will take a one-week break and return on Tuesday, Feb. 16, and sit every weekday until Friday, Feb. 26. It will take a […]
Pandemic edition: Top 100 most influential people to watch in 2021
With the pandemic still raging, and several painfully long months to go before most Canadians have the option of getting a vaccine, the political stakes couldn’t be higher for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Crises have tended to favour incumbents, but any major flub in the inoculation campaign, which has already had some hiccups, could jeopardize […]
Sláinte! D’Arcy McGee’s longtime manager Jeff O’Reilly bids adieu to pub after ‘pretty great run’
Jeff O’Reilly, the colourful and longtime general manager of D’Arcy McGee’s on Sparks Street, who’s been a regular fixture behind the bar at the popular political watering hole ever since it opened in 1997, says he’s leaving. Mr. O’Reilly shared the news on Facebook this month that his time with the pub is coming to […]
Pandemic puts twist on Canada’s oldest legislative program as parliamentary interns adapt to new ways of working
Working through the pandemic has offered a unique window into the government’s emergency response, say parliamentary interns who are the first in the 51-year program to have their vantage into political proceedings made hybrid. The Parliamentary Internship Programme has adapted through a lot of trial and error, especially in the early months after the coronavirus […]
New adviser joins Intergovernmental Affairs Minister LeBlanc’s team
Queen’s Privy Council President and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc recently welcomed a new addition to his team, Jill Swenson, who’s been brought on board as a senior policy adviser. It’s a return to the Hill for Ms. Swenson, who previously worked for the federal trade minister, up until early in 2020. A former field organizer […]
Baby on board for MP Collins
NDP MP Laurel Collins will be joining the ranks of working mothers in Parliament this spring, announcing that she and partner James McNish are expecting a child. In a Jan. 19 statement, Ms. Collins, who represents Victoria, B.C., said she was “thrilled” to reveal the pregnancy, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic has “created a new […]
De Adder’s Take: 01-20-2021
New Serbian envoy hopes for ‘more intensive’ political dialogue with Ottawa
Serbia’s new ambassador to Canada is hoping to move the needle on increased political discussion to strengthen Belgrade-Ottawa ties. Dejan Ralević said he wants to see “more intensive” political dialogue between the two countries, noting that Serbia is not among the top priorities for Canada, as it is not currently an EU member nation nor […]
Defenestration talk: Scheer inadvertently helps some politicos learn a new word
Close Justin Trudeau ally and PMO alum Gerry Butts drew the ire of former Conservative leader Andrew Scheer last week. Amid a Twitter exchange about right-wing media outlet The Rebel‘s framing of an email exchange with Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole‘s press secretary as an “exclusive interview” with the leader, Mr. Butts called the party’s decision […]
