Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the great seeker of the “sunny ways” in politics, lived in a grand hotel just steps from Parliament Hill before he became prime minister. The Russell Hotel was Ottawa’s answer to 19th century elegance. In time it descended into ruin. READ MORE
In 2001 Veterans Affairs Canada added 23 names to the nation’s First World War Book Of Remembrance preserved in the Peace Tower. The 23 were shot for cowardice and desertion. Ron Duhamel, then-veterans affairs minister, told the Commons: “People may lose control of their emotions, have a breakdown for reasons over which they have little control,” he said. “I wish to express my deep sorrow at their loss of life." But what if this is all wrong? What if the image of the frail and cowering soldier executed by sadistic military brass is a First War set piece that owes more to filmography than fact? READ MORE
Immigration Minister Lena Diab’s department drafted a citizenship guide expressing shame for Canada over slavery, Access To Information records show. The guide for new Canadians studying for their citizenship test urged readers to reflect on the country’s “shameful” past: "Many Black people were brought to Canada as enslaved people." READ MORE
Few Canadians think Housing Minister Gregor Robertson is on the right track in addressing an affordability crisis, says in-house Privy Council research. Federal focus groups found a large proportion of Canadians were resigned to waiting years for “tangible results.” READ MORE
Procurement Ombudsman Alexander Jeglic yesterday faulted the Department of National Defence for “questions regarding fairness” in contracting. It followed a 2022 report that military contracting was tainted by inside dealing and favouritism: "The department did not conduct its procurement process in a fair manner." READ MORE
Parliament should suspend federal fuel taxes until year’s end, Opposition Leader Pierre Polievre said yesterday. The $5.25 billion cost could be recovered through measures likes reductions to the federal government’s $25 billion in annual spending on consultants, he said: "Since last month gas prices have risen 35 percent." READ MORE
Commons defectors who quit to join rival parties would be subject to recall under a new House petition. The defection of four MPs in five months including Michael Ma (Markham-Unionville, Ont.) has already prompted tens of thousands of petitioners to demand reform: "Citizens require a formal mechanism to hold MPs accountable." READ MORE
He didn’t want to get into politics. He told me, “Patty, you’re lucky if you get one honest man in politics; you start out with a few that are crooked, and the rest are bought off.” He called it one of the dirtiest businesses to ever be in. Everything he did, he gave full credit to Jesus. He said to me, “Patty, whatever job you take or person you fall in love with, if you take Jesus with you, you’ll succeed.” I never forgot that. I’m probably a little bit prejudiced, but I think he bordered on genius. He’s the only man I ever met who knew the Bible by heart in three languages: Hebrew, Greek and English. He had a photographic memory.
