Prime Minister Carney and his cabinet should rely on deputy ministers—not political staff—for fearless policy advice, say leading governance experts
Policy advice from partisan ministerial staff is more appealing to cabinet ministers because it has a loyalty twist and ‘fits the political moment,’ says Professor Donald Savoie. But cabinet ministers should also be using policy advice from their deputy ministers, say governance experts.
Liberals and Conservatives get it wrong on nominations in held ridings, yet again
Open, fair, and transparent nomination elections before every election cycle are a critical part of the democratic exercise. They force MPs to stay sharp in their work and in touch with their base of support.
McGuinty, Anand to speak at Ottawa Conference on Security and Defence March 4-5
MONDAY, MARCH 2 House Schedule—The House of Commons is scheduled to sit for 117 days this year. Here’s the schedule for 2026: it will sit Monday to Friday, Jan. 26-Feb. 13; Feb. 23-27; March 9-13; March 23-Thursday, March 26; April 13-May 8; May 25-June 19; Sept. 21-Oct. 9; Oct. 19-Nov. 6; and Nov. 16-Dec. 11. […]
Don’t do it
If the PM were to call an election now, he would almost certainly be punished. Despite some stellar polling, what certainly feels like a collapsing opposition leader and the foundations of some policy wins, Mark Carney must not give in to those advising him to go the polls to secure his majority.
‘Once you get a carveout from one province, it’s game over’: Ottawa-Alberta MOU draws advocates with economic and environment concerns
On the federal lobbyists’ registry, groups that lobbied on the Ottawa-Alberta MOU include the CCLC, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, and Pathways Alliance, a consortium of Canada’s largest oilsands producers, including Cenovus Energy, Imperial Oil and Suncor Energy.
Polls show Carney’s riding a wave of support buoyed by global pressures, but Canadians also nervous about life at home
The Liberals’ popularity tends to go up when people focus on Canada-U.S. relations, but the party loses points when affordability becomes the central issue, says pollster Greg Lyle.
When social media meets advocacy
These online media/advocacy influencers aren’t really like the media because they don’t provide balanced information, nor are they really like advocacy groups because they don’t seek to persuade the public. The upshot of all this is that political polarization increases, as everybody starts to see the other side as the enemy. This is not good for democracy.
The past, present, and future of the NDP
The NDP is unlikely to become the official opposition in any foreseeable future, but its third or fourth party status is secure. Winning 12 seats, thus regaining status as an official party in Parliament, is its most important challenge.
Drug cartels put Mexican government on notice
The cartel’s intention is to damage tourism so it hurts the government. That puts them in a better position to negotiate a truce where drugs flow without political impediment.
‘It’s not my bill, it’s our bill’: Senator Henkel and 50 advocacy groups push for law calling for women’s health framework
After her two daughters’ health issues were nearly misdiagnosed, Sen. Danièle Henkel decided to focus on women’s health in the Upper Chamber. The result is Bill S-243, the National Framework for Women’s Health in Canada Act, which is now at second reading in the Senate.
