Ian Bailey

Ian Bailey

Next governor-general must be fluent in English and French, official languages watchdog says

The new official languages watchdog says Canada needs a governor-general who is fully bilingual in English and French, given the strong, symbolic role of the office, which involves a mix of ceremonial, constitutional and other duties. Official Languages Commissioner Kelly Burke says Prime Minister Mark Carney must follow through on his recent commitment to recommend the appointment of a governor-general...

Ian Bailey

More Canadians willing to serve in Armed Forces during major conflict, poll suggests

An increasing percentage of Canadians say that they would be willing to serve in the Armed Forces if Canada were involved in a major conflict, suggests a new poll. The public opinion survey, conducted by Nanos Research for The Globe and Mail, also shows that a majority of respondents said they have a positive view of the military and would...

Ian Bailey

Governor-General’s husband says the couple are planning their exit from Rideau Hall

Whit Fraser, a former journalist and the husband of Governor-General Mary Simon, says the couple are planning their exit from Rideau Hall. Mr. Fraser, who spoke with The Globe and Mail ahead of the release of his memoir, was reluctant to provide details about their wife’s plans, but the 84-year-old, whose official title is vice-regal consort, signalled that Ms. Simon...

Ian Bailey

Federal justice minister rejects premiers’ appeal for input on judicial appointments

The federal justice minister has rejected an appeal from four provinces for more input into judicial appointments, saying the status quo has served the administration of justice well. The premiers of Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Alberta signed a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney that calls for federal appointments to superior trial courts and courts of appeal of the provinces...

Bill Curry, Ian Bailey, Matthew Scace

Smith defends Alberta separatists after Eby’s ‘treason’ remarks

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she won’t demonize the roughly one million Albertans who are open to separation after B.C. Premier David Eby said Alberta separatists who went to Washington in search of political support are engaged in treason.

Ian Bailey

Downtown Ottawa businesses eager for return of federal public servants

Federal public servants used to be a sure thing for Pat Nicastro’s fine-food shop in Ottawa’s Byward Market. He used to be able to count on a lot of them who work in nearby offices to come in for lunch, a group that was a sizable part of the customer mix that has sustained La Bottega for about 30 years...

Ian Bailey

Rookie MP Aaron Gunn considers bid to lead BC Conservatives

Aaron Gunn, a Conservative MP first elected in April, says he is “seriously considering” a bid to seek the leadership of the British Columbia Conservatives. The job opened up last week when John Rustad, a former provincial cabinet minister, stepped down amidst intense pressure from members of his caucus. Mr. Gunn, who represents North Island-Powell River, said Wednesday he will...

Ian Bailey

NDP caucus members dispute appointment of interim leader Don Davies

Three of the seven members of the federal NDP caucus say they were not properly consulted about the appointment of the party’s interim leader. Last week, the NDP announced that its national council had chosen Don Davies, a veteran MP from Vancouver and the party’s former finance critic, to temporarily lead the NDP, a decision made with input from its...

Ian Bailey

Poilievre staying in Stornoway pending by-election

Pierre Poilievre is staying put in the residence of the leader of the Official Opposition even though the federal Conservative Leader lost his riding in the recent election. Andrew Scheer, now acting as the interim Official Opposition leader in Mr. Poilievre’s absence, confirmed the plans on Monday.

Ian Bailey

Poilievre rejects severance offered to defeated MPs after losing Ontario riding

Federal Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre is rejecting a severance package estimated at about $150,000 that he was entitled to receive after losing his Ottawa-area riding, a party official says. Under the rules of the House of Commons, Mr. Poilievre is eligible for severance worth $154,850, according to the calculations of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF).

Ian Bailey

Canadians urged to show national pride on Flag Day, in the face of Trump’s ‘threats and insults’

Canada’s five living former prime ministers have united to salute Canadian patriotism, prompted by the recent “threats and insults” of U.S. President Donald Trump. The prime ministers. whose terms in office span 1979 to 2015, are also asking Canadians to fly the country’s flag with pride on Feb. 15, which is Flag Day and the 60th anniversary of the red-and-white...

Ian Bailey

Chief electoral officer wants crackdown on ballot-related protests

Canada should bring in penalties for individuals who are responsible for stacking ballots with independent candidates, the federal chief electoral officer says, criticizing the tactic used by activists as a form of political protest. Stéphane Perrault, who leads Elections Canada, said long ballots create confusion for voters and challenges in counting and processing results. Individuals who choose to protest the...

Ian Bailey

Homelessness and open drug use in downtown Ottawa bring a national crisis to Parliament’s doorstep

From a downtown Ottawa sidewalk, Kevin Aubin has been watching what he describes as alarming changes in the city’s downtown, several blocks south of Parliament Hill. The veteran panhandler says that he is seeing an influx of troubling newcomers on Bank Street in Ottawa’s core, a main street similar to downtown areas of Granville Street in Vancouver, Yonge Street in...

Ian Bailey

RCMP commissioner open to new approach to protect politicians against violence

RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme says he’s open to a former cabinet minister’s suggestion that protecting federal politicians from violence be handled by an agency other than the Mounties. Mr. Duheme, who worked in protection earlier in his RCMP career, was responding to the proposal from Catherine McKenna, who was subject to harassment while Ottawa Centre MP from 2015 to 2021.

Ian Bailey

Over $6-million price for new Canadian diplomatic residence in New York City no big deal, says realtor

The realtors involved in the purchase of a US$6.6-million condo for Canada’s consul general in New York defend the move as a good deal, saying it is consistent with prices in Manhattan and reflects long-term planning. Erin Boisson Aries and Thomas Aabo of Douglas Elliman represented the Canadian government in the transaction, according to their spokesperson. The New York-based luxury...

Ian Bailey

‘Revolving door’ of foreign ministers works against Canada’s interests: Axworthy

The number of foreign affairs ministers under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has worked against Canada’s interests on the global stage, says Lloyd Axworthy, a former Liberal cabinet minister who held the post for four years. Mr. Axworthy, nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his work to ban land mines while he was foreign affairs minister for then-prime-minister Jean Chrétien...

Joe Castaldo, Ian Bailey

U.S. vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance is a study in contradiction

J.D. Vance is a mess of contradictions. He once mused about whether Donald Trump, then a candidate for U.S. president in 2016, was “America’s Hitler,” before becoming one of Mr. Trump’s biggest supporters. Mr. Vance is a former venture capitalist who has said big tech companies should be broken up, an anti-elite and self-described hillbilly who graduated from Yale Law...

Ian Bailey

Majority want public release of names of MPs accused of foreign interference, poll says

Most Canadians surveyed want the public release of the names of MPs accused of foreign interference, according to a new poll. Sixty-eight per cent of those surveyed want the disclosure of the names and for the elected officials to have an opportunity to publicly explain their actions, according to a Nanos Research survey conducted for The Globe and Mail. Meanwhile...

Ian Bailey

Trudeau, Poilievre, Singh begin fundraising campaigns in Alberta and Montreal

With the House of Commons on a summer break, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are out on the fundraising trail this week, with the leaders looking to Montreal and Alberta for support. Accompanied by a pair of ministers, Mr. Trudeau held an event in Montreal on Wednesday, and Mr. Poilievre has events planned in Alberta on...

Ian Bailey

Poilievre takes no position on hybrid work for federal public servants

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is declining to take a definitive position on the federal government moving to have public servants work a minimum three days a week in their offices, up from two days. Mr. Poilievre was asked about the issue on Thursday during a news conference in Vancouver and did not directly clarify where he stood on the matter.

Ian Bailey

Pierre Poilievre’s popularity is having a major impact on B.C. politics, new poll suggests

As federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre prepares to hold a rally Monday on Vancouver Island, a new poll suggests the provincial Conservative Party in British Columbia is benefiting from his popularity even though there are no official links between the two parties. Fifty-six per cent of likely federal Conservative voters support the provincial Conservatives instead of BC United, the other...

Ian Bailey

Duclos makes the case for renovation of the Supreme Court

Canada’s Public Services Minister says the historic Supreme Court of Canada complex in downtown Ottawa needs to be renovated despite a cost for the project that has risen above a projected $1-billion and has no final figure in sight. “It has never been refurbished, and what we are going to do in the next years will have a value that...

Ian Bailey

B.C.’s Iain Black joining other high-profile candidates in run for federal Tories as party’s fortunes surge

Former B.C. labour minister Iain Black is entering the race to run for the Conservatives in a Vancouver-area riding while former finance minister Mike de Jong says he is considering a run for the party in the next federal election. The interest comes as the Conservatives, leading in public opinion polls, are drawing some high-profile candidates ahead of a federal...

Ian Bailey

Trudeau raises questions about Poilievre adviser’s links to grocery sector

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Pierre Poilievre needs to explain why a key adviser has been lobbying for the grocery sector while the Conservative leader has been raising concerns about grocery prices. Mr. Trudeau raised the concern about Jenni Byrne, who served as a deputy chief of staff to former prime minister Stephen Harper and has been an adviser to...

Ian Bailey

Insiders offer advice to Poilievre as Conservatives look to turn polling success to election win

Federal Conservatives are polling consistently ahead of their rivals and large crowds are turning up for rallies featuring leader Pierre Poilievre, but some party stalwarts and political observers say such positive developments aren’t nearly enough to guarantee electoral success. The Conservatives need to take steps this year to maintain their momentum, they say, such as moderating the party’s message to...

Ian Bailey

Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis says Canada needs to leave the United Nations

The Prime Minister’s Office is questioning a high-profile Conservative MP’s support for a petition that seeks Canada’s withdrawal from the United Nations and its subsidiary agencies. Leslyn Lewis, who ran for the Conservative leadership in the party’s last two leadership contests, sponsored the public petition to bring it before Parliament and is seeking signatories. Burnaby, B.C., resident Doug Porter initiated...