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Tuesday, December 24, 2024
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Joe Jordan

Joe Jordan is a former Liberal MP and is currently a senior associate at Bluesky Strategy Group.

The parliamentarian’s role in an increasingly fractious arena

  • Mix unchecked social media platforms and AI algorithms capable of selling fiction as fact, and it’s no surprise that the womb of politics is
Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | July 29, 2024
If our democracy is to thrive, then parliamentarians need to be strong, honest, transparent, and accountable leaders. The people they represent deserve no less, writes Joe Jordan. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and photo illustration by Neena Singhal

The parliamentarian’s role in an increasingly fractious arena

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | July 29, 2024
  • Mix unchecked social media platforms and AI algorithms capable of selling fiction as fact, and it’s no surprise that the womb of politics is

The parliamentarian’s role in an increasingly fractious arena

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | July 29, 2024
  • Mix unchecked social media platforms and AI algorithms capable of selling fiction as fact, and it’s no surprise that the womb of politics is
If our democracy is to thrive, then parliamentarians need to be strong, honest, transparent, and accountable leaders. The people they represent deserve no less, writes Joe Jordan. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and photo illustration by Neena Singhal

Let’s get ready to rumble, Conservative race turns into a street fight

  • OTTAWA—It’s not as if we don’t have enough going on to consume our attention, but the Conservative leadership race might just warrant carving out
Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | March 21, 2022
The contenders: Pierre Poilievre, Jean Charest, Leslyn Lewis, and Patrick Brown are all running for the federal Conservative leadership, which will be decided on Sept. 10, still six months away. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia, file photo, and handouts

Let’s get ready to rumble, Conservative race turns into a street fight

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | March 21, 2022
  • OTTAWA—It’s not as if we don’t have enough going on to consume our attention, but the Conservative leadership race might just warrant carving out

Let’s get ready to rumble, Conservative race turns into a street fight

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | March 21, 2022
  • OTTAWA—It’s not as if we don’t have enough going on to consume our attention, but the Conservative leadership race might just warrant carving out
The contenders: Pierre Poilievre, Jean Charest, Leslyn Lewis, and Patrick Brown are all running for the federal Conservative leadership, which will be decided on Sept. 10, still six months away. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia, file photo, and handouts

Suppose they gave an election and nobody won

  • It would be very easy to simply slide alongside the emerging narrative that the 44th Canadian general election was a waste of time, a
Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | October 4, 2021
Justin Trudeau, Erin O'Toole, Jagmeet Singh, Yves-François Blanchet, Annamie Paul, and Maxime Bernier. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

Suppose they gave an election and nobody won

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | October 4, 2021
  • It would be very easy to simply slide alongside the emerging narrative that the 44th Canadian general election was a waste of time, a

Suppose they gave an election and nobody won

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | October 4, 2021
  • It would be very easy to simply slide alongside the emerging narrative that the 44th Canadian general election was a waste of time, a
Justin Trudeau, Erin O'Toole, Jagmeet Singh, Yves-François Blanchet, Annamie Paul, and Maxime Bernier. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

Forty-third Parliament of Canada, I hardly knew ya!

  • OTTAWA—Barring unanimous consent to extend the number of sitting days, the House of Commons is scheduled to rise on June 23, and I truly
Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | May 31, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, at the bottom of the stairs descending from West Block, now the seat of the House of Commons, to Wellington Street on May 4. Once Parliament rises for the summer in late June, it may not sit again until an election has been held, writes Joe Jordan. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Forty-third Parliament of Canada, I hardly knew ya!

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | May 31, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Barring unanimous consent to extend the number of sitting days, the House of Commons is scheduled to rise on June 23, and I truly

Forty-third Parliament of Canada, I hardly knew ya!

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | May 31, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Barring unanimous consent to extend the number of sitting days, the House of Commons is scheduled to rise on June 23, and I truly
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, at the bottom of the stairs descending from West Block, now the seat of the House of Commons, to Wellington Street on May 4. Once Parliament rises for the summer in late June, it may not sit again until an election has been held, writes Joe Jordan. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Canadians would be much better served by a cooperative, coordinated, and sustained pandemic response

  • OTTAWA—About 40 years ago, I found myself at the Calgary Stampede and spent a couple of hard-earned, oil-patch dollars at a carnival booth that
Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | February 11, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Jan. 26, 2021, holding that day's press conference on the COVID-19 situation outside the Rideau Cottage in Ottawa. At the federal level, we have an opposition that jumps between minimizing the pandemic, and ridiculing prevention measures, to holding the government’s feet to the fire on vaccines and rollout strategies. Provincially, we have a number of premiers that got up Christmas morning and unwrapped a lovely 'incompetent federal vaccine acquisition' narrative that served to completely eclipse the fact that they could not have distributed any more vaccines anyway because, seriously, who could have seen the need for a rollout strategy coming, writes Joe Jordan.

Canadians would be much better served by a cooperative, coordinated, and sustained pandemic response

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | February 11, 2021
  • OTTAWA—About 40 years ago, I found myself at the Calgary Stampede and spent a couple of hard-earned, oil-patch dollars at a carnival booth that

Canadians would be much better served by a cooperative, coordinated, and sustained pandemic response

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | February 11, 2021
  • OTTAWA—About 40 years ago, I found myself at the Calgary Stampede and spent a couple of hard-earned, oil-patch dollars at a carnival booth that
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Jan. 26, 2021, holding that day's press conference on the COVID-19 situation outside the Rideau Cottage in Ottawa. At the federal level, we have an opposition that jumps between minimizing the pandemic, and ridiculing prevention measures, to holding the government’s feet to the fire on vaccines and rollout strategies. Provincially, we have a number of premiers that got up Christmas morning and unwrapped a lovely 'incompetent federal vaccine acquisition' narrative that served to completely eclipse the fact that they could not have distributed any more vaccines anyway because, seriously, who could have seen the need for a rollout strategy coming, writes Joe Jordan.

Parliament: the reckoning episode

  • OTTAWA—To paraphrase Tennyson, in the immediate aftermath of a minority government Throne Speech, an old political hack’s fancy heavily turns to thoughts of elections.
Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | September 21, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Sept. 15, 2020, arriving for last week's two-day cabinet retreat in Ottawa before Parliament resumes this week. The Liberals hold the most cards and I put them in the 'want-a-fall-election-but-don’t-want-to-be-seen-as-wanting-one,' writes Joe Jordan. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Parliament: the reckoning episode

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | September 21, 2020
  • OTTAWA—To paraphrase Tennyson, in the immediate aftermath of a minority government Throne Speech, an old political hack’s fancy heavily turns to thoughts of elections.

Parliament: the reckoning episode

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | September 21, 2020
  • OTTAWA—To paraphrase Tennyson, in the immediate aftermath of a minority government Throne Speech, an old political hack’s fancy heavily turns to thoughts of elections.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Sept. 15, 2020, arriving for last week's two-day cabinet retreat in Ottawa before Parliament resumes this week. The Liberals hold the most cards and I put them in the 'want-a-fall-election-but-don’t-want-to-be-seen-as-wanting-one,' writes Joe Jordan. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Hey Parliament, how about we take this online?

  • OTTAWA—There is an increasing amount of timely, and useful, discussion taking place about strategies for ensuring Canadians have an effective legislative branch of their
Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | April 13, 2020
The West Block has been empty since the House adjourned because of the global pandemic. I would humbly suggest that the House leadership approach this virtual sitting of the House incrementally, with the end result being some hybrid solution involving the use of technology and a healthy dose of Standing Order flexibility, writes Joe Jordan. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Hey Parliament, how about we take this online?

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | April 13, 2020
  • OTTAWA—There is an increasing amount of timely, and useful, discussion taking place about strategies for ensuring Canadians have an effective legislative branch of their

Hey Parliament, how about we take this online?

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | April 13, 2020
  • OTTAWA—There is an increasing amount of timely, and useful, discussion taking place about strategies for ensuring Canadians have an effective legislative branch of their
The West Block has been empty since the House adjourned because of the global pandemic. I would humbly suggest that the House leadership approach this virtual sitting of the House incrementally, with the end result being some hybrid solution involving the use of technology and a healthy dose of Standing Order flexibility, writes Joe Jordan. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

For MPs, focus now becomes how to help your constituents through this crisis, and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is suddenly relevant

  • OTTAWA—Even in a steady state, there is very little useful literature around about how to be an effective Member of Parliament. While your working
Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | April 6, 2020
As the Member of Parliament, you will be dealing with tragedy, dealing with confusion and dealing with unfairness, but find some balance by looking for resilience, looking for ingenuity and looking for kindness. Through this crisis, your constituents will make you proud to be their Member of Parliament. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

For MPs, focus now becomes how to help your constituents through this crisis, and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is suddenly relevant

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | April 6, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Even in a steady state, there is very little useful literature around about how to be an effective Member of Parliament. While your working

For MPs, focus now becomes how to help your constituents through this crisis, and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is suddenly relevant

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | April 6, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Even in a steady state, there is very little useful literature around about how to be an effective Member of Parliament. While your working
As the Member of Parliament, you will be dealing with tragedy, dealing with confusion and dealing with unfairness, but find some balance by looking for resilience, looking for ingenuity and looking for kindness. Through this crisis, your constituents will make you proud to be their Member of Parliament. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Liberals about to learn how difficult it is to pursue policy while trying to ensure the trains run on time

  • OTTAWA—Well that was fun! As the carcass of the 43rd general election continues to be picked over in search of political ammunition or insight,
Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | October 28, 2019
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

Liberals about to learn how difficult it is to pursue policy while trying to ensure the trains run on time

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | October 28, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Well that was fun! As the carcass of the 43rd general election continues to be picked over in search of political ammunition or insight,

Liberals about to learn how difficult it is to pursue policy while trying to ensure the trains run on time

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | October 28, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Well that was fun! As the carcass of the 43rd general election continues to be picked over in search of political ammunition or insight,
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

So, you’re telling me there’s a chance…

  • OTTAWA—I need to preface this pseudo-intellectual effort by pointing out that I am neither a constitutional lawyer, nor a constitutional scholar. However, I am
Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | October 7, 2019
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Sept. 27, 2019, in Montreal at a climate change protest, along with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, Tourism Minister Melanie Joly, Liberal candidate Steven Guilbeault, and Liberal MP Angelo Icono. Photograph courtesy of Justin Trudeau/Twitter

So, you’re telling me there’s a chance…

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | October 7, 2019
  • OTTAWA—I need to preface this pseudo-intellectual effort by pointing out that I am neither a constitutional lawyer, nor a constitutional scholar. However, I am

So, you’re telling me there’s a chance…

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | October 7, 2019
  • OTTAWA—I need to preface this pseudo-intellectual effort by pointing out that I am neither a constitutional lawyer, nor a constitutional scholar. However, I am
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Sept. 27, 2019, in Montreal at a climate change protest, along with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, Tourism Minister Melanie Joly, Liberal candidate Steven Guilbeault, and Liberal MP Angelo Icono. Photograph courtesy of Justin Trudeau/Twitter

Liberals going to have to make fundamental shifts in their communications and strategy

  • OTTAWA—The perfect analogy for how I participate in elections now: I head toward the crowd, hang around the fringes, graciously accept whatever is on
Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | September 23, 2019
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Sept. 15, 2019, campaigning for Liberal MP Kim Rudd in Northumberland-Peterborough South, Ont. In this campaign, the Liberals are both the 'pitcher of record' and the frontrunner. Simply trying to repeat what worked in 2015 will not end well for them. Photograph courtesy of Twitter

Liberals going to have to make fundamental shifts in their communications and strategy

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | September 23, 2019
  • OTTAWA—The perfect analogy for how I participate in elections now: I head toward the crowd, hang around the fringes, graciously accept whatever is on

Liberals going to have to make fundamental shifts in their communications and strategy

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | September 23, 2019
  • OTTAWA—The perfect analogy for how I participate in elections now: I head toward the crowd, hang around the fringes, graciously accept whatever is on
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Sept. 15, 2019, campaigning for Liberal MP Kim Rudd in Northumberland-Peterborough South, Ont. In this campaign, the Liberals are both the 'pitcher of record' and the frontrunner. Simply trying to repeat what worked in 2015 will not end well for them. Photograph courtesy of Twitter

Next election shaping up to be a much more contested affair than originally predicted

  • OTTAWA—In light of the recent code of conduct clarifications around registered lobbyists and political commentary, I have arrived at the conclusion that the risk
Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | June 10, 2019
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals currently hold 177 seats and can only afford to lose eight seats before drifting across into minority territory. They are facing several challenges, including the resignation of a high number of incumbents, some high-profile issues that are increasing public backlash and the need to adjust their overall mindset and strategy to that of the hunted, as opposed to the hunter. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Next election shaping up to be a much more contested affair than originally predicted

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | June 10, 2019
  • OTTAWA—In light of the recent code of conduct clarifications around registered lobbyists and political commentary, I have arrived at the conclusion that the risk

Next election shaping up to be a much more contested affair than originally predicted

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | June 10, 2019
  • OTTAWA—In light of the recent code of conduct clarifications around registered lobbyists and political commentary, I have arrived at the conclusion that the risk
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals currently hold 177 seats and can only afford to lose eight seats before drifting across into minority territory. They are facing several challenges, including the resignation of a high number of incumbents, some high-profile issues that are increasing public backlash and the need to adjust their overall mindset and strategy to that of the hunted, as opposed to the hunter. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Back in the saddle…

  • OTTAWA—In an era of perpetual electioneering you could be forgiven for assuming that the last fall session before the next election would resemble a
Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | September 17, 2018
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured in this file photo at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa. The Liberals are probably enjoying the chaos on either side, but they get complacent at their peril, writes Joe Jordan. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Back in the saddle…

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | September 17, 2018
  • OTTAWA—In an era of perpetual electioneering you could be forgiven for assuming that the last fall session before the next election would resemble a

Back in the saddle…

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | September 17, 2018
  • OTTAWA—In an era of perpetual electioneering you could be forgiven for assuming that the last fall session before the next election would resemble a
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured in this file photo at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa. The Liberals are probably enjoying the chaos on either side, but they get complacent at their peril, writes Joe Jordan. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

With enemies like this, who needs friends?

  • OTTAWA—Growing up in a political family in Leeds-Grenville, I knew from an early age that there was a high probability that Gord Brown and
Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | May 7, 2018
One of the aspects of public life that does not get enough attention is the constant compromises that must be made and it is easy to rationalize a work ethic that leaves little time for family. Although Gord worked at making time, his sudden and tragic passing has robbed his family of his post-political life and my heart goes out to them. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

With enemies like this, who needs friends?

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | May 7, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Growing up in a political family in Leeds-Grenville, I knew from an early age that there was a high probability that Gord Brown and

With enemies like this, who needs friends?

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | May 7, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Growing up in a political family in Leeds-Grenville, I knew from an early age that there was a high probability that Gord Brown and
One of the aspects of public life that does not get enough attention is the constant compromises that must be made and it is easy to rationalize a work ethic that leaves little time for family. Although Gord worked at making time, his sudden and tragic passing has robbed his family of his post-political life and my heart goes out to them. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

The girls (and boys) are back in town

  • OTTAWA—On the heels of a cool, wet summer break, things are about to heat up inside the political precinct and, as entertaining as that
Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | September 18, 2017
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured at Ottawa's gay pride parade on Aug. 27, 2017. The government's challenge will be what it manages to actually accomplish before the reckoning on Oct. 21, 2019, writes Joe Jordan. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The girls (and boys) are back in town

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | September 18, 2017
  • OTTAWA—On the heels of a cool, wet summer break, things are about to heat up inside the political precinct and, as entertaining as that

The girls (and boys) are back in town

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | September 18, 2017
  • OTTAWA—On the heels of a cool, wet summer break, things are about to heat up inside the political precinct and, as entertaining as that
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured at Ottawa's gay pride parade on Aug. 27, 2017. The government's challenge will be what it manages to actually accomplish before the reckoning on Oct. 21, 2019, writes Joe Jordan. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Lots of challenges and opportunities for political players this year

  • OTTAWA—Having avoided the standard year-end retrospective, primarily because I was late to the keyboard and all the good “sunny days” and “honeymoon” analogies were
Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | January 30, 2017
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's recent cabinet shuffle and subsequent parliamentary secretary shuffle were significant because hard decisions were made, which is a particularly good sign for a progressive administration with an activist agenda, writes Joe Jordan. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Lots of challenges and opportunities for political players this year

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | January 30, 2017
  • OTTAWA—Having avoided the standard year-end retrospective, primarily because I was late to the keyboard and all the good “sunny days” and “honeymoon” analogies were

Lots of challenges and opportunities for political players this year

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | January 30, 2017
  • OTTAWA—Having avoided the standard year-end retrospective, primarily because I was late to the keyboard and all the good “sunny days” and “honeymoon” analogies were
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's recent cabinet shuffle and subsequent parliamentary secretary shuffle were significant because hard decisions were made, which is a particularly good sign for a progressive administration with an activist agenda, writes Joe Jordan. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Advice for government backbenchers, opposition MPs entering year two in Parliament

  • TTAWA—While it was certainly a great summer for the traditional BBQ circuit, I truly hope that Parliamentarians found time to get away with family
FeatureBY JOE JORDAN | September 19, 2016
Rookie MPs such as Robert-Falcon Ouellette are now approaching their second years in office and expectations are rising, writes Joe Jordan. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Advice for government backbenchers, opposition MPs entering year two in Parliament

FeatureBY JOE JORDAN | September 19, 2016
  • TTAWA—While it was certainly a great summer for the traditional BBQ circuit, I truly hope that Parliamentarians found time to get away with family

Advice for government backbenchers, opposition MPs entering year two in Parliament

FeatureBY JOE JORDAN | September 19, 2016
  • TTAWA—While it was certainly a great summer for the traditional BBQ circuit, I truly hope that Parliamentarians found time to get away with family
Rookie MPs such as Robert-Falcon Ouellette are now approaching their second years in office and expectations are rising, writes Joe Jordan. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

The rise of the independent Senate, get used to it

  • OTTAWA—Not only did the Senate’s treatment of Bill C-14, Medical Assistance in Dying, provide Canadians with a very thoughtful and refreshing level of debate
Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | July 11, 2016
Senators on the National Security Committee, pictured in this file photo. Already sensitive to 'trained seal' comparisons, an independently acting Senate could further reinforce the analogy and the Prime Minister’s Office and House leadership will have to be extremely careful as they manage this element, writes Joe Jordan. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

The rise of the independent Senate, get used to it

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | July 11, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Not only did the Senate’s treatment of Bill C-14, Medical Assistance in Dying, provide Canadians with a very thoughtful and refreshing level of debate

The rise of the independent Senate, get used to it

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | July 11, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Not only did the Senate’s treatment of Bill C-14, Medical Assistance in Dying, provide Canadians with a very thoughtful and refreshing level of debate
Senators on the National Security Committee, pictured in this file photo. Already sensitive to 'trained seal' comparisons, an independently acting Senate could further reinforce the analogy and the Prime Minister’s Office and House leadership will have to be extremely careful as they manage this element, writes Joe Jordan. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

The elusive parliamentary secretary (secretarius parlamentarius)

  • OTTAWA—One of the very real challenges that new parliamentary participants must overcome is the general lack of absolutes, and the reliance on precedent and
Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | March 21, 2016

The elusive parliamentary secretary (secretarius parlamentarius)

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | March 21, 2016
  • OTTAWA—One of the very real challenges that new parliamentary participants must overcome is the general lack of absolutes, and the reliance on precedent and

The elusive parliamentary secretary (secretarius parlamentarius)

Opinion | BY JOE JORDAN | March 21, 2016
  • OTTAWA—One of the very real challenges that new parliamentary participants must overcome is the general lack of absolutes, and the reliance on precedent and
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