Nov 22 2019 — Rachel Aiello — CTV News — Despite calls from federal and provincial leaders to recall Parliament early in light of the CN Rail strike, Government House Leader Pablo Rodriguez says the first day of the new Parliament will remain Dec. 5. “The date set is Dec. 5 and that’s what’s going to happen,” Rodriguez said in an interview with CTV’s Question […]
Nov 21 2019 — Rachel Aiello — CTV News — In Wednesday’s cabinet unveiling, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau named Chrystia Freeland as his deputy prime minister, in addition to her role as the point person on intergovernmental affairs. While the title may be rooted in symbolism, Freeland says she wouldn’t have taken it on if it didn’t come with real power. “I did not take […]
Nov 19 2019 — Rachel Aiello — CTV News — The swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s new cabinet is underway and the Liberal front bench is being expanded to include seven rookie ministers, two of whom were elected for the first time in 2019, and more than a dozen current ministers who are taking on new portfolios. Trudeau has reshaped the lineup of […]
Nov 19 2019 — Rachel Aiello — CTV News — On Wednesday Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will unveil the cabinet roster he’ll take in to the new minority Parliament. Some are speculating it could have a larger number of ministers, but it’s just the first in a series of important appointment-related decisions the Liberals will make in the coming weeks. Given the nature of minority […]
Nov 16 2019 — Rachel Aiello — CTV News — NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says that clearly “people are feeling neglected” by Ottawa, but that the way the premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan are going about raising those concerns are “distracting” from the “real” problems. In an interview with Evan Solomon, host of CTV’s Question Period, Singh said that the issues and pressures Albertans and […]
Nov 13 2019 — Rachel Aiello — CTV News — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is meeting with Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet on Parliament Hill, as he continues his week of meetings with the opposition leaders in advance of Parliament resuming on Dec. 5. During a pre-meeting photo opportunity, Trudeau said he was looking forward to discussing their “shared priorities,” listing fighting climate change, affordability, […]
Nov 12 2019 — Rachel Aiello — CTV News — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will convene the new Parliament on Thursday, December 5. The Liberal minority-led 43rd Parliament will begin with the election of a new House of Commons Speaker, and then the prime minister will present a throne speech. In the speech, Trudeau will unveil what his government’s priorities will be, likely to include […]
Nov 7 2019 — Rachel Aiello — CTV News — Today’s meeting of the 157-person Liberal caucus and outgoing MPs on Parliament Hill is about “reflecting” on the campaign and the electoral message Canadians sent when reducing the Liberal team to minority status, says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “This is a moment to gather amongst friends to reflect on the experiences we had over the […]
Nov 6 2019 — Rachel Aiello — CTV News — Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer says his caucus is united and ready to focus on holding the Liberals to account after dodging what could have become his first post-election leadership test inside Wednesday’s Conservative caucus meeting. “Our team is united, experienced, and focused on the job that we were elected to do,” Scheer said, backed by […]
Nov 6 2019 — Rachel Aiello — CTV News — The first post-election Conservative caucus meeting is underway on Parliament Hill, with Leader Andrew Scheer speaking directly to Tory MPs and senators who have the ability to oust him by the meeting’s end. On their way in, returning and newly-elected Conservative MPs expressed their support for Scheer and spoke against seizing the option to trigger […]
Nov 1 2019 — Rachel Aiello — CTV News — Stephen Harper’s former director of communications has joined the outspoken criticism of Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, telling CTV’s Question Period that Scheer’s position on same-sex marriage “could be fatal” to his future as leader because not supporting same-sex marriage is “viewed increasingly as bigotry.” “I think it could be a fatal issue. Maybe not in […]
Oct 30 2019 — Rachel Aiello — CTV News — Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer’s 2019 election loss “was like having a breakaway on an open net and missing the net,” according to his former colleague Peter MacKay. The former Conservative cabinet minister is someone whose name has been brought up as a potential challenger for Scheer’s job depending on the outcome of the April leadership […]
Oct 30 2019 — Rachel Aiello — CTV News — NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is meeting with his caucus on Parliament Hill today for the first time since the election. With orientation for new MPs already underway, the NDP is describing today’s confab as their own caucus orientation session. Singh is also set to hold a media availability at 1:30 p.m. EDT where he will […]
Oct 22 2019 — Rachel Aiello — CTV News — As all parties assess the outcome of last night’s 43rd federal election, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh was first up to frame the new Liberal-led minority Parliament as a “historic opportunity.” Despite dropping from third to fourth party standing in the House of Commons, Singh is optimistic about his 24-person caucus’ ability to still deliver on […]
Oct 17 2019 — Rachel Aiello — CTV News — Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer is signalling that he’ll look to form government if his party wins the most seats, but not a majority on election night, setting up a potential challenge of long-standing parliamentary tradition. While there is no rule book, convention and history has established that the incumbent gets the first chance to attempt […]