Some of the best staff work goes unnoticed because its whole purpose is to solve problems, absorb chaos, and make hard things look routine.
Political staffers are part of the connective tissue between expert administration and democratic accountability—not subject-matter experts.
The problem comes when when we start assuming that because someone belongs to another party, we already know what kind of person they are.
Plus: France and Japan are among nine new envoys in Ottawa, ex-ambassador Kirsten Hillman joins Scotiabank’s new growth institute, and former health minister Mark Holland looks forward to the men’s health strategy.
Conservative MP Todd Doherty’s ‘instrumental’ Michael Bailey, and the PMO’s ‘parliamentary affairs assassin’ Kate Legault-Meek also scored top spots in several categories in The Hill Times’ rejuvenated Top Political Staffers survey.
Kindness isn’t weakness. It is possible to be firm, direct, and uncompromising on your values while treating colleagues and stakeholders with respect.
Plus, Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu is down a senior parliamentary affairs adviser.
Plus, a deputy director has been promoted within Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree’s office.
More than 100 civil servants have asked the Public Service Commission to run in local elections across the country this fall. Three local public servants spoke to The Hill Times about what inspired them to seek elected office.
Plus: Conservative MP Aaron Gunn shoots down Dominic Barton’s new federal role, Senate Tories call for a special committee to hear from tariff-affected workers, and Wayne Eyre and Jody Wilson-Raybould are among this fall’s Writers’ Festival authors.
‘I have every confidence that it’ll be great, but it will be different,’ says former Supreme Court clerk Jeremy Opolsky of the top court’s new home.
A rundown of past and pending byelections since the April 2025 general election.
Meanwhile, there’s a new executive assistant on board in Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson’s office.
Plus, a new senior adviser for Newfoundland and Labrador has joined Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, among other office changes.
PIPSC says it has confirmed examples in six departments and agencies where in-office presence is included in performance reviews, while Treasury Board says managers may include onsite-presence expectations in performance agreements.
From boos to gender parity: Dasko officially retired from the Red Chamber on Aug. 19, and sat down with The Hill Times to reflect on her eight years as a Senator.
Meanwhile, a senior adviser recently bade farewell to AI and Digital Innovation Minister Evan Solomon’s office.
Politico celebrates filing more than 1,000 Playbooks at the Commons in Ottawa with cake, cowboy koozies, and a packed midday birthday bash.
Plus, there’s one hire and one exit to highlight in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office.
The highest spending MP overall was the Bloc Québécois’ Marilène Gill, who represents a large rural riding and reported a grand total of $715,493 in expenses.
Also, Minister Champagne and his Indian counterpart will chat in Toronto next week, Senator Bev Busson leaves the Senate after eight years, and ex-minister Peter MacKay will talk defence in Halifax next month.
The recent hires include a new policy adviser to Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai.
The July 1 storm affected 17 federal properties in Ottawa and two in Gatineau, with roughly 100 staff affected at a CBSA laboratory and workers temporarily relocated at other west-end sites.
Plus, there are updates to Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon’s team, including director Isabelle Sabourin’s recent exit.
Plus, Liberal MP Shaun Chen is resigning, more candidates are named for upcoming byelections, and the foreign minister has some new diplomatic appointments to announce.
