Mike Lapointe has been with The Hill Times since 2019, and covers the federal public service, public service unions, the Parliament Hill media, as well as federal politics and policy. He’s reported on the last three federal elections, public health issues throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2022 convoy protest in downtown Ottawa. He can be reached at mlapointe@hilltimes.com.
‘Defunding media that rural, francophone, and Indigenous communities depend on is a non-starter, and anyone who wants to represent them should know this,’ says NDP heritage critic Niki Ashton.
Plus, The Great Right North: Inside Far-Right Activism in Canada comes out in October; Canada Post celebrates Norman Jewison; Matt Luloff charged with impaired driving; and Kamala Harris goes shopping for record albums in D.C.
Political science professor Laura Stephenson says a system of government that favours coalitions could ‘decrease some of that party hate’ embedded in Canadian politics.
Pocketbook issues ‘play pretty well in Quebec with the Bloc voters, as they are in the rest of the country,’ says David Boudeweel-Lefebvre, founder of Boudeweel Public Affairs.
Plus, House delists MPs’ Hill office numbers from Commons website, Mercedes Stephenson talks about what it’s like for the media to fly on the PM’s plane, Doug Ford points the way to booze, and Rob Reiner says it’s time for Joe Biden to step down.
Pierre Poilievre is already in majority territory without a big breakthrough in Quebec, says pollster Nik Nanos, alluding to how Stephen Harper had won many elections with just a few Quebec ridings.
Treasury Board President Anita Anand said the cost of expanding early retirement eligibility is estimated to include a one-time cost of approximately $175-million and ongoing annual costs of approximately $21-million.
Plus, Japan’s Ambassador to Canada Kanji Yamanouchi plays a mean electric guitar, Kirbie hires Boissoneau, Grit MP James Maloney treasures friendship with Irish ambassador, and GG, Trudeau, O’Regan, and Furey pay respects to unknown soldier in St. John’s.
With both internal and external pressures on the Canadian Armed Forces, this is an ‘extremely challenging’ time for any new chief of defence staff regardless of background, says Mount Saint Vincent University professor Maya Eichler.
Unlike the embattled prime minister, ‘no one has really any expectations’ of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre before the election, says pollster Greg Lyle.
Plus, Norway’s ambassador to Canada died on June 17, editor picked to head up Washington Post turns it down, new Chinese ambassador hosts welcome reception, Napier meets the Pope, and Brit high commissioner to host U.K. election-watch party.
CIBC said it is skeptical about Global News’ parent firm Corus’ ability to pay down and refinance its debts.
Plus, Liberal MP Andy Fillmore to step down, Jonathan Malloy elected Canadian Political Science Association president, Pierre Poilievre hosts garden party for third-language media outlets, Alberta seeks a chief electoral officer, and more.
Despite the fact that Donald Trump is now the first former U.S. president to be convicted of felony crimes, it hasn’t affected his polling.
As unions keep fighting the three-day in-office mandate, a Treasury Board spokesperson said senior figures in the secretariat made the decision with the support of deputy ministers across the public service.
Plus, Matthew Green honours the late Peter Rosenthal; Art of Leadership Women conference begins; Elizabeth May mourns loss of St. Anne’s Anglican Church; Ottawa will host Caribbean Development Bank’s annual board of governors meeting; and more.
