MPs are back in action

The Hill Times
The number of sick days claimed by bureaucrats, broken down by department

Bureaucrats in the core public administration called out sick an average of 9.2 days in 2023-24 compared to 5.9 in 2020-21, marking a rise in days claimed by employees in every department and agency in the core public service since the onset of the pandemic. The Hill Times reported on the Treasury Board Secretariat’s most […]
A rundown of the humans behind AI Minister Solomon’s shop

Michael Paramathasan has been hired as a director of policy to the minister, while Peter Wall is in place as director of communications.
Government House Leader MacKinnon calls for co-operation, but criticizes Poilievre’s ‘angry rhetoric’ as House resumes

‘We are a minority government, yes, but we believe that we have a mandate to proceed with major policies,’ says Steven MacKinnon.
Liberals are the Groucho Marx of Canadian politics

Groucho Marx’s dictum works in Canadian politics. Principles are less important than results. The Liberals have always known this. Perhaps the NDP and the Conservatives will eventually learn this, too.
Upcoming budget critically important to meet challenges, cost of living, and unemployment, head on

This is Mark Carney’s first budget as prime minister, and it is the first federal budget since U.S. President Donald Trump began his second term.
An autumn of contrasts in Parliament, and the Bloc Québécois will make its mark

The last parliamentary session right after the election was short and intense, but committees were not yet meeting. This fall, with the committees back in operation, the Bloc will be able to engage in targeted discussions with both the Conservatives and the Liberals.
Charlie Kirk’s murder: what has gone wrong in America?

The rash of more recent shootings is partially explained by a deadly change in U.S. politics. There was a time when political opponents were just that: competitors seeking political power with different ideas of what to do with it. But that is no longer the case.
High-stakes fall sitting ‘first real test’ for Carney and cabinet who have ‘zero latitude for error,’ say Liberal MPs, political players

‘Carney still hasn’t defined himself in the House of Commons. His style, it’s going to be interesting,’ said one Liberal MP.
For Poilievre’s Conservatives, home is where the votes are

Canadians have extended considerable grace and patience to Prime Minister Carney, but the cracks are starting to show.