In Speech from the Throne, a nod to Western alienation, promise to enshrine Indigenous rights
SENATE CHAMBER—In an effort to strike a conciliatory note after being reduced to a minority, the Liberal government is promising to “apply a spirit of collaboration” as it works to carry out its priorities, including introducing a middle-class tax cut as its “first act” and setting Canada on the path to carbon neutrality by 2050, […]
Liberals’ Anthony Rota elected Speaker of the House
In an upset, Liberal MP Anthony Rota was elected Speaker of the House, beating incumbent Speaker, Geoff Regan. He was elected by his peers in a preferential ballot system. Mr. Rota (Nipissing-Timiskaming, Ont.), the former assistant deputy speaker, was one of five candidates running for the job. The others were: Liberal MP Geoff Regan […]
Politics This Morning: Trudeau gets a tongue-lashing from Trump
Good Thursday morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau got a tongue-lashing from U.S. President Donald Trump, who called him “two-faced” after a video surfaced of the PM apparently gossiping over cocktails with a group of world leaders, and Princess Anne, behind the president’s back at Buckingham Palace. Facing reporters following Mr. Trump’s comments, Mr. Trudeau sought to downplay the […]
‘Thou shalt be there,’ government whip tells MPs as high-stakes minority Parliament kicks off Thursday
With a minority Parliament set to begin on Thursday, the chief government whip is hopeful there will be limited backdoor maneuvering by parties when it comes down to casting votes. Speaking to The Hill Times, Chief Government Whip Mark Holland (Ajax, Ont.) said in his discussion with other party whips “there’s an understanding” that they […]
‘A servant of the House’: MPs to elect Commons Speaker in early-morning ceremony
MPs’ first order of business when they convene in this minority 43rd Parliament on Thursday morning will be to elect a new Commons Speaker, who will serve as the impartial arbiter in enforcing decorum in what at times can be an unruly House. At least four MPs are in contention for the speakership, including the […]
Politics This Morning: Conservative, NDP caucus to convene
Good Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met one on one with U.S. President Donald Trump yesterday on the sidelines of the NATO gathering. Despite calling out Canada for being “slightly delinquent” on boosting defence spending, Mr. Trump said he expects the government to hit its target. NATO allies have been asked to step up in shouldering the burden of […]
Political ties, not diplomatic bona fides needed for next Canadian envoy in D.C., says former ambassador
To manage Canada’s most important relationship, the country’s next envoy in Washington, D.C. should be one who has the ear of the prime minister, and not a career diplomat, say politicos. Since David MacNaughton left the post as Canada’s top diplomat in the United States at the end of August, top trade official Kirsten Hillman […]
Diversity, inclusion minister should act as ‘catalyst’ with cross-ministerial power, say advocates
Renaming the multiculturalism ministry to diversity and inclusion has drawn mixed reactions from affected communities, as advocates await the release of the ministerial mandate letter to signal whether action is likely to come with the new title, or if it’s just “window dressing,” as some fear. Within Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s (Papineau, Que.) expanded 37-member […]
‘Small but mighty’: New Democrats say they’re up to the task as MPs pile on critic jobs
The NDP’s lead critics say they’re feeling good about their “small but mighty” caucus, which they say can bring change in a minority government and attention to their “critical work” by hammering home the party’s “widely popular” priorities. At the Nov. 28 critic announcement, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh (Burnaby South, B.C.) said he was proud […]
‘Let’s get on with the contest now’: chorus of prominent Conservatives calling for Scheer’s ouster continues to grow
The list of prominent Harper-era staffers calling for Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer to step down has continued to grow, with one ex-Conservative MP saying that among his former constituents, “there’s a feeling that if there was a time” the Conservative leader could beat Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, “it was this time.” Sara MacIntyre, who worked […]
