Canada’s chief NAFTA negotiator Steve Verheul most lobbied federal bureaucrat
In the midst of breakneck North American trade talks, Canada’s chief NAFTA negotiator has kept up constant consultations with affected industries, making him the federal government’s most lobbied bureaucrat. Since the year began, lobbyists have logged 120 communication reports with Steve Verheul, according to a list exported from the federal registry on Sept. 29. It […]
Trudeau shuffles cabinet committee members
The prime minister quietly shuffled his cabinet committee membership last month in the wake of August’s cabinet shuffle, adding in new ministers and moving up Labour Minister Patty Hajdu, Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr, and Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos into chair positions. A Sept. 19 update of the cabinet committee list on the prime […]
DND appointees ‘tremendous’ team to tackle new defence policy
The leader, money man, and defence policy specialist appointed to the Department of National Defence’s top ranks on Sept. 22 have the expertise needed to take serious action on the government’s new defence policy, according to political observers. Michael Day, a fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, said the appointments of Jody Thomas, Gordon […]
Politics This Morning: Chrétien and Clinton talk Canada-U.S. relations in Montreal
Good Wednesday morning, The top political billing in North America in the 1990s is reuniting for the day. Former prime minister Jean Chrétien and ex-United States president Bill Clinton are in Montreal today to talk about their time in office as part of an event hosted by the Canadian American Business Council (CABC) commemorating 150 […]
‘I’m a true believer in the strength of teamwork,’ Payette touts civic duty, Indigenous reconciliation in inaugural speech as GG
PARLIAMENT HILL—On a Monday morning in the Senate Chamber, Canada’s new Governor General Julie Payette talked about reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and enhanced cooperation to address global issues like nuclear proliferation and climate change during her maiden speech, but Canadians will have to wait to hear more about her concrete priorities as viceregal, according to […]
Politics This Morning: First ministers to meet in Ottawa; Scheer to deliver speech in House on feds’ tax reforms; Morneau to attend Senate’s Question Period
Good Tuesday morning, Canada’s top political leaders are convening in the nation’s capital for a first ministers’ meeting. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will meet with provincial and territorial premiers, and Indigenous leaders, at Ottawa’s Diefenbaker Building to discuss issues of national importance. A statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office said the first ministers will […]
May slams feds’ environment assessment plan for ignoring expert panel
The government’s outline for changes to environmental assessment laws falls short of Liberal election promises, and doesn’t follow much of the advice from an expert panel the Liberal government assembled, says Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. The government released a “discussion paper” in June that gave a sneak-peek at the outline of a new environmental […]
Prime Minister’s Office hires a new special assistant
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office has a new special assistant, Elise Maiolino, on board. Ms. Maiolino recently earned a PhD in sociology from the University of Toronto and while there taught courses on gender, politics, and society; race, class and gender; and on qualitative research methods. She also has a master’s degree in women’s studies and feminist […]
Canada’s former chief electoral officers hope feds find new elections watchdog by December, say unanimous House consent important
It’s been almost a year since Canada’s top elections watchdog vacated his post, but the federal government will finally begin reviewing applications this month to find a replacement for the country’s next chief electoral officer. Former chief electoral officer Marc Mayrand and his predecessor Jean-Pierre Kingsley both told The Hill Times last week that they hope […]
Liberal, NDP MPs resign from Canada-Myanmar Parliamentary Friendship Group after chair notifies members about pro-Myanmar government rally on the Hill
PARLIAMENT HILL—One Liberal and an NDP MP resigned from the Canada-Myanmar Parliamentary Friendship Group after Conservative MP Bruce Stanton, chair of the friendship group, sent out an email informing members about a pro-Myanmar government rally, adding the Myanmar community would “greatly appreciate your attendance and support.” First-term Liberal MP Chandra Arya (Nepean, Ont.), and five-term […]
