Conservatives vow to not ‘roll over’ as ‘procedural warfare’ dominates House proceedings
With the House of Commons adjourned for the week, Members of Parliament and Hill watchers alike can take a breather from what has become an increasingly tense and vitriolic atmosphere both in the House Chamber and its committees. When the Commons reconvenes on May 30, the already-high temperature will only continue to ratchet up, both […]
Poilievre using cryptocurrency to attract the disaffected, radicalized in Conservative race, say experts
The embrace of cryptocurrency by Pierre Poilievre, the presumed frontrunner in the Conservative leadership race, has been met with derision by his political opponents and other parties, but as a strategic political tool, cryptocurrency may serve a purpose for Poilievre’s campaign. In the first official Conservative debate on May 11, Brampton, Ont., mayor Patrick Brown […]
Stretched thin: Resources to support committees strained amid virtual format, late-night sittings
Support resources on the Hill, particularly interpretation services, have been stretched thin amid continued hybrid virtual proceedings and the addition of late-night sittings, leading to a wave of committee meeting cancellations last week. Conservative House Leader John Brassard says he sees “one simple solution” to the problem: putting an end to hybrid proceedings. “The pressure […]
Experts call for more federal action on neglected trade infrastructure as Canada falls in international rankings
With an overwhelming percentage of the Canadian economy dependent upon trade—more than 65 per cent of GDP as measured a few years ago—trade and infrastructure experts say Canada needs to urgently address long-neglected trade infrastructure to remain competitive. According to a May 9 report from the Canada West Foundation, From Shovel Ready to Shovel Worth: […]
Charest’s campaign says it expects to raise more than $2-million in fundraising as leadership race could double party memberships
With less than two weeks left for Conservative leadership campaigns to sell new party memberships, former Quebec premier Jean Charest is touting his camp’s successes not just in recruitment but also in fundraising. “We are well on track to reach $2-million within the next two weeks,” the campaign’s director of communications, Michelle Coates Mather, told […]
Heated Conservative leadership race could cause ‘some bleed,’ but desire to win government will keep party united, say strategists
Amidst one of the most heated and divisive political leadership races in recent memory, Conservative strategists argue the party’s desire to win government in the next election could be enough to keep the party united, no matter the result—and no matter how ugly it might get along the way. “I think it’s been more personal […]
Environmental lobbying leads for third month in April, including discussions about Senate environment bills
Environmental discussions topped federal advocacy for the third consecutive month in April, with one of the most active organizations targeting climate change policy and Senate bills related to the environment. “I think with a newly re-elected government in the fall there’s a pretty busy agenda, in terms of things that they’d like to get done […]
Time to stop ‘pussy-footing around’ racism: ‘When do we draw the line?’ ask Black Liberal MPs
In the wake of the mass shooting on May 14 in Buffalo, N.Y., which targeted Black people, the current and former chair of the Liberal Black Caucus (LBC) say they want to see concrete action from their own government to address racism and hate in Canada. “I can’t speak for the government. But I could […]
Feds reclassified Trans Mountain as a ‘non-agent’ Crown corporation to avoid parliamentary scrutiny, says NDP critic
Trans Mountain Corporation and Finance Canada both say an April 20 change to the Crown corporation’s official status was made in order to allow it to obtain third-party financing, after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced on Feb. 18 that the government would not provide any further public money to the project. But NDP environment critic […]
Conservative MPs, strategists unpack the ‘undoing of Jason Kenney’ in Alberta
Conservative Alberta MPs are blaming the tough pandemic political climate for Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s splintered internal support and say his announced resignation was a result of a “no-win situation” and “an unforgiving political culture” that allowed United Conservative Party divisions to grow. But Conservative strategists say Kenney’s leadership style and caucus management played a […]
