Blog Archive for December, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010 12:01 PM EST
Tough choices ahead as little-known pension changes take effect
Reforms were made in 2009 budget bill
Wednesday, December 29, 2010 12:01 PM EST
Grits dismiss NDP-Tory détente as electioneering
Liberal finance critic Scott Brison squelches talk of ‘common ground’
Tuesday, December 28, 2010 11:11 AM EST
Tories soften tone with NDP ahead of 2011 budget
Conservatives speak of ‘common ground’ with their once-dismissed rivals who have become their only remaining dance partner
Thursday, December 23, 2010 10:00 PM EST
Exercising with Obama, jamming with Nickelback
How Laureen Harper’s life has changed since her husband became PM
Thursday, December 23, 2010 9:05 AM EST
Budget watchdog lacks credibility, not cash: Jim Flaherty
Finance Minister says Kevin Page goes too far with his opinions
Wednesday, December 22, 2010 8:57 AM EST
Arthur Meighen, Canada’s first western PM, finally gets his due
Portrait will receive dedication in new year, decades after tribute was cancelled due to illness
Tuesday, December 21, 2010 1:25 PM EST
Teamsters back MP’s bid to get double tractor-trailers off Ontario highways
Dean Del Mastro finds an ally in union representing trucking industry
Tuesday, December 21, 2010 8:43 AM EST
Polling the pollsters: The top political stories of 2010
G20 spending, Tory tactics, class warfare and a lacklustre Ignatieff top the list
Monday, December 20, 2010 3:36 PM EST
Justin Trudeau plays ShamWow pitchman for indebted Liberals
Montreal MP sends out fundraising letter in support of Ken Dryden and Gerard Kennedy’s bid to pay off outstanding bills from failed leadership campaigns
Monday, December 20, 2010 12:44 PM EST
Tories target 190 ridings
As election speculation mounts, Harper’s team thinks it can be ‘the only truly national party with seats in every jurisdiction’
Friday, December 17, 2010 7:52 PM EST
Family illnesses push MPs into action
Backbenchers work to change public attitudes and policy
Friday, December 17, 2010 1:53 PM EST
Protesters occupy Jim Flaherty’s office after about-face on pensions
We won’t leave until we meet with Finance Minister, labour leader Sid Ryan says
Friday, December 17, 2010 9:51 AM EST
Tories and Liberals get grim rating in year-end poll
EKOS puts Harper at 32%, Ignatieff at 26.5% and NDP at 17.1%
Friday, December 17, 2010 8:16 AM EST
Stephen Harper stands test of time
No matter when election is called, he’s almost certain to become one of Canada’s longest-serving prime ministers
Thursday, December 16, 2010 6:00 PM EST
Your question for Ignatieff: Yes, Liberals would fund MS treatment
Answering Globe reader, he says government should be pro-active and back clinical trials
Thursday, December 16, 2010 5:55 PM EST
Tories go negative with iPod-tax coalition fear campaign
Opposition scoffs at government radio ads produced by ‘Karl Rove school of politics’
Thursday, December 16, 2010 3:25 PM EST
Majority backs funding trials of controversial MS treatment
Angus Reid survey shows 75 per cent think government should back research into so-called liberation therapy
Thursday, December 16, 2010 12:21 PM EST
Read the audit Rights & Democracy doesn’t want you to see
The Globe obtains confidential report on troubled arms-length federal agency ahead of in-camera committee meeting
Thursday, December 16, 2010 9:06 AM EST
Bob Rae’s tumble buys PM time before piano showdown
Harper entertains press gallery while Liberals gather for Christmas party – minus their injured foreign affairs critic
Wednesday, December 15, 2010 5:57 PM EST
Natives blast Ottawa’s ‘betrayal of trust’
First nations groups in NWT decry decision to open protected lands to mining
Wednesday, December 15, 2010 5:07 PM EST
MPs say happy holidays with pets and troops – but little snow
Harper poses with family on bright fall day while Ignatieff and his wife use shot from summer bus tour for this year’s batch of Christmas cards
Wednesday, December 15, 2010 3:04 PM EST
MacKay mistakes Santa for Russians in Liberal poem
Grit MPs recite partisan variation on Twas the Night Before Christmas
Wednesday, December 15, 2010 11:46 AM EST
Tories make holiday fundraising pitch
‘Writing is on the wall’ that Liberals will force spring election, senator says in bid to further bolster war chest
Wednesday, December 15, 2010 9:01 AM EST
A tax on digital music? Not on Tory watch
Industry and Heritage ministers confirm government’s position via Twitter photo-op
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 5:27 PM EST
Tony Clement denies Potash ‘fable’
Industry Minister refutes Saskatchewan column suggesting takeover was nixed due to political pressure and to spite the press
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 4:56 PM EST
Bloc seeks probe of construction magnate, troubled tax office
Opposition hopes House committee can get to bottom of Canada Revenue Agency controversy in Montreal
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 2:33 PM EST
Canadian diplomat hails Holbrooke as necessary 'bulldozer'
Steely approach an asset during Bosnian crisis, ex-counterpart Paul Heinbecker says
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 10:46 AM EST
Ottawa cuts blemished integrity watchdog’s deputy loose
Stockwell Day names new interim commissioner ahead of committee hearing on Auditor-General’s scathing report
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 8:22 AM EST
Was Potash takeover torpedoed out of spite?
Industry Minister calls Saskatchewan columnists suggestion ‘utter utter balderdash’
Monday, December 13, 2010 11:27 AM EST
Doctors want to hear your prescription for medicare
Canadian Medical Association launches online consultations on how to improve health system
Monday, December 13, 2010 8:19 AM EST
What are the chances of a federal election in 2011?
Whether the 40th Parliament lives or dies depends on how the party leaders answer some important questions
Monday, December 13, 2010 8:01 AM EST
Liberals warn of Tory ‘bromides’ on border deal
Government will play down controversial perimeter pact until it’s complete, Bob Rae says
Friday, December 10, 2010 1:37 PM EST
David McGuinty denies slagging fellow Liberal's copyright credentials
Opposition House Leader hits back at Dean Del Mastro, who accused him of heckling after Tories invoked John Manley to defend legislation
Friday, December 10, 2010 9:22 AM EST
A thinning border – but no continental Big Bang
With many Canadians wrongly fearing U.S. domination, Ottawa and Washington can only take incremental steps toward integration
Friday, December 10, 2010 8:19 AM EST
Pre-Christmas poll puts ‘pox on all parties’
Latest EKOS survey has Tories at 33.7%, Liberals at 29.2% and NDP at 14.4%
Thursday, December 9, 2010 7:42 PM EST
Outspoken MP finds his own way with words
New Democrat Pat Martin’s huge mental thesaurus helps compensate for a lifelong stutter
Thursday, December 9, 2010 4:12 PM EST
Canadian advocates hail ‘astounding’ release of Iranian woman
Heather Reisman, Laureen Harper fought publicly against Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s death sentence for alleged adultery
Thursday, December 9, 2010 12:17 PM EST
Tory staffer denies helping construction firm land Hill contract
Former Public Works official says he doesn’t remember who organized meeting with contractor who eventually landed $9-million deal
Thursday, December 9, 2010 8:48 AM EST
Liberals lament PM’s unilingual rock performance
‘Not even one song in French,’ they quip after Harper takes stage at Tory Christmas party
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 9:50 PM EST
Stephen Harper shows Tory faithful his rock star side
PM fronts four-piece band, delivering classics from the Who, the Rolling Stones and John Lennon
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 4:20 PM EST
Growing volunteer gap impedes ‘smart and caring nation’
With Governor-General pushing agenda, study warns Canadians don’t enjoy tasks they’re given when donating their time
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 2:40 PM EST
Haitian election violence worries Ottawa
Foreign Affairs Minister calls on President to restore order in wake of street protests over results
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 12:45 PM EST
NDP bill eases burden on laid-off workers
Ontario MP Irene Mathyssen proposes relaxing RRSP and employment insurance rules
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 10:18 AM EST
House pauses to acknowledge ‘godsend’ of organ donation
Tory MP Peter Goldring announces his sister’s successful kidney transplant
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 8:39 AM EST
Tories give lobbyists lump of coal for Christmas
Harper’s team limits holiday party attendance to MPs, senators, spouses and staff
Tuesday, December 7, 2010 4:11 PM EST
What do Rob Ford, Nancy Ruth and Danny Williams have in common?
PR firm lauds Toronto mayor, foul-mouthed Tory senator and former Newfoundland premier for their communication skills
Tuesday, December 7, 2010 11:08 AM EST
Opposition scoffs at Air India plan
Liberals demand to know how come it took Tories ‘so long to come up with so little’ for victims of 25-year-old terrorist attack
Tuesday, December 7, 2010 8:49 AM EST
Can spurned Afghan detainee watchdog topple Tory MP?
Ex-Military Police Complaints Commission chairman Peter Tinsley explains his decision to run for Liberals in Ontario
Monday, December 6, 2010 5:00 PM EST
‘Cluster’ strategy puts Tories on track for majority, poll suggests
Nanos survey has Harper’s team at 38.1% compared to 31.2% for Liberals, with rural and suburban gains leaving coveted mandate within PM’s reach despite lack of Quebec breakthrough
Monday, December 6, 2010 2:50 PM EST
Another day, another government report redacted beyond recognition
All but one page of DND audit on intellectual property and armoured personnel carrier is blacked out
Monday, December 6, 2010 12:46 PM EST
Bid for charity transparency faces ‘fierce resistance’
Liberal MP Albina Guarnieri wants Canadians to know how much top executives are paid
Monday, December 6, 2010 11:17 AM EST
Ottawa sets up Arctic marine park
Protected area in Lancaster Sound won't prevent commercial shipping through Northwest Passage, John Baird says
Monday, December 6, 2010 9:54 AM EST
Liberals demand PM slap Julian Fantino’s wrist for Hitler quip
‘Gross slander’ by rookie Tory explains why he kept low profile during by-election, opposition charges
Monday, December 6, 2010 8:13 AM EST
Was the whistle blown on federal whistleblower?
Canadians will find out when the Auditor-General releases her report on the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner this week
Friday, December 3, 2010 6:52 PM EST
Fantino lashes out at ‘desperate’ Liberals
Rookie Tory MP and former top cop complains of ‘character assassination’ during campaign and Justin Trudeau’s ‘Academy Award performance’
Friday, December 3, 2010 5:05 PM EST
Deadline to slay deficit not set in stone, Jim Flaherty concedes
Finance Minister wants you to tell him whether books should be done sooner or later than 2016
Friday, December 3, 2010 8:31 AM EST
What Loyola Hearn expects to find on the Emerald Isle
Ex-fisheries minister discusses his ties to Ireland, his new job as ambassador and his choice of whiskey
Thursday, December 2, 2010 1:03 PM EST
Pressed on prostitution law, PM jokes about dominatrix
Stephen Harper calls sex trade ‘bad for society’
Thursday, December 2, 2010 11:55 AM EST
Danny Williams heads for exit at top of his class
Newfoundland Premier leads provincial leaders, with Brad Wall a close second and Jean Charest dead last in voter approval
Thursday, December 2, 2010 9:44 AM EST
Military ombudsman slams Ottawa’s treatment of fallen soldiers’ families
Pierre Daigle posts open letter after receiving ‘disappointing’ responses from Defence Minister
Thursday, December 2, 2010 8:35 AM EST
Heavy Tory hitters mum ahead of Mississauga visit
Plus U.S. Ambassador does WikiLeaks damage control
Wednesday, December 1, 2010 1:48 PM EST
Liberals vow to block Harper immigration bill
Tories vow to bring legislation to a vote anyway, even though Ignatieff says caucus will reject it
Wednesday, December 1, 2010 12:26 PM EST
Ex-Harper adviser regrets ‘glib’ call for retaliatory WikiLeaks assassination
Tom Flanagan suggests ‘Obama put out a contract or maybe use a drone’ on Julian Assange
Wednesday, December 1, 2010 11:32 AM EST
Harper and Ignatieff trot out their new horses
PM welcomes Fantino to caucus, noting Tories were only party to make ‘net gains’ with Liberals adding Winnipeg seat to cancel out Toronto-area loss
Wednesday, December 1, 2010 8:40 AM EST
Bullish PM rolls out welcome mat for Julian Fantino
Harper expected to gloat at open-door Tory caucus meeting
Wednesday, December 1, 2010 3:46 AM EST
In wake of nixing BHP, Wall keeps touting Saskatchewan
Premier emerges as politician with strong hold on province and man to watch on federal scene
Ottawa Notebook Contributors
Jane Taber
Jane Taber has been on and around Parliament Hill since the Mulroney days, beginning her Hill reporting in 1986 with the Ottawa Citizen. She also reported for WTN and the National Post before joining The Globe’s parliamentary bureau in 2002.
She is senior political writer and is also co-host of CTV's Question Period, which airs Sunday. Ms. Taber lives in Ottawa with her husband; they have two children.
Follow Jane on Facebook or on Twitter @janetaber1
John Ibbitson
John Ibbitson started at The Globe in 1999 and has been Queen's Park columnist and Ottawa political affairs correspondent.
Most recently, he was a correspondent and columnist in Washington, where he wrote Open and Shut: Why America has Barack Obama and Canada has Stephen Harper. He returned to Ottawa as bureau chief in 2009. Before joining The Globe, he worked as a reporter, columnist and Queen’s Park correspondent for Southam papers.
Steven Chase
Steven Chase has covered federal politics in Ottawa for The Globe since mid-2001, arriving there a few months before 9/11. He previously worked in the paper's Vancouver and Calgary bureaus. Prior to that, he reported on Alberta politics for the Calgary Herald and the Calgary Sun, and on national issues for Alberta Report. He's had ink-stained hands for far longer though, having worked as a paperboy for the (now defunct) Montreal Star, the Winnipeg Free Press, the Vancouver Sun and the North Shore News.
Campbell Clark
Campbell Clark has been a political writer in The Globe and Mail’s Ottawa bureau since 2000. Before that he worked for The Montreal Gazette and the National Post. He writes about Canadian politics and foreign policy.
Bill Curry
A member of the Parliamentary Press Gallery since 1999, Bill Curry worked for The Hill Times and the National Post prior to joining The Globe in Feb. 2005. Originally from North Bay, Ont., Bill reports on a wide range of topics on Parliament Hill, with a focus on finance.
Gloria Galloway
Gloria Galloway has been a journalist for almost 30 years. She worked at the Windsor Star, the Hamilton Spectator, the National Post, the Canadian Press and a number of small newspapers before being hired by The Globe and Mail as deputy national editor in 2001. Gloria returned to reporting two years later and joined the Ottawa bureau in 2004. She has covered every federal election since 1997 and has done several stints in Afghanistan.
Daniel Leblanc
Daniel Leblanc studied political science at the University of Ottawa and journalism at Carleton University. He became a full-time reporter in 1998, first at the Ottawa Citizen and then in the Ottawa bureau of The Globe and Mail. While he likes the occasional brown envelope, he is also open to anonymous emails.
Stephen Wicary
Stephen Wicary has been with The Globe since 2001, working on the news desk as a copy editor, page designer, production editor and front-page editor – as well as a three-month stint as overnight editor of the website during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He joined the parliamentary bureau as online political editor in the fall of 2008, just in time for the coalition crisis and Stephen Harper's first contentious prorogation.
