Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne boasted to senators he was personally involved in details of construction for regional high speed rail in Québec, records show. It contradicts Champagne’s claim he recused himself under the Conflict Of Interest Act after his wife was hired by the railway: "We got the train through Trois-Rivières." READ MORE
It’s a “good situation” when cabinet ministers’ spouses can enjoy their own careers, Prime Minister Mark Carney said yesterday. He dismissed questions regarding the finance minister’s personal involvement in promoting a regional rail corporation that hired his wife as vice-president: "It’s important that we have a system that those individuals can continue to pursue their career." READ MORE
The housing crisis only affects people who don’t own houses, says a federal briefing note. The Department of Housing in an Access To Information note to Minister Gregor Robertson said it found affordability was no problem for homeowners who bought property 25 years ago: "In other words, if you consider all Canadians there does not appear to be an affordability crisis." READ MORE
A Toronto banker appointed to oversee defence contracting owns shares in dozens of publicly-traded firms including federally regulated companies, according to ethics filings. Doug Guzman, a former Royal Bank executive, earlier acknowledged he had no military experience: "You would have to ask others why I was picked for the job." READ MORE
Cabinet yesterday said it would not commit to new funding to clear a backlog of hundreds of whistleblower complaints alleging corrupt practices and misconduct. A federal commissioner has said three times as many lawyers currently on staff are required to investigate tips of government wrongdoing: "There may be allegations that do not see the light of day." READ MORE
Immigration Minister Lena Diab’s department in a draft citizenship guide celebrates Liberal political appointees and an LGBTQ activist. Cabinet sought new themes in what it called a “restructuring of the way we educate not only new Canadians but all of us.” READ MORE
Cabinet polled catchphrases and logos in attempting to ease the housing crisis, records show. The Privy Council commissioned federal focus groups on marketing techniques most likely to convince Canadians that cabinet would address shortages: 'Branding concepts could be used by the federal government.' 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.
