Ottawa

Tease the day: The prime minister smiles for the cameras

And, oh, there’s other important stuff to talk about, too

Give the prime minister credit: His government’s fighting the opposition on a number of files that involve several cabinet ministers, including everything from food safety to a fight with a parliamentary watchdog about cuts across federal departments. Still, Stephen Harper manages to crash a wedding photo shoot and earn a bunch of happy press about it. “It must have been one of Stephen Harper’s most unscripted moments,” wrote the Toronto Star. Indeed. The Ottawa Citizen published a photo gallery of the meet-up that gave Jocelyne Potvin and Patrick Sullivan their 15 minutes of fame. They have a lasting memory, and Harper’s image softens just a little bit. The bigger question is: Why doesn’t he do that more often?


What’s above the fold this morning?

The Globe and Mail leads with a story about stricter foreign takeover rules for state-owned companies. The National Post fronts the fight in Michigan over a new bridge to Canada. The Toronto Star‘s top story is about a top secret Correctional Service of Canada surveillance video that will likely be screened publicly in court. The Ottawa Citizen leads with Tory efforts to re-open Ontario’s legislature. iPolitics fronts Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose’s possible admission that the feds are looking at alternatives to the F-35 to replace Canada’s current (aging) fleet of fighter jets. National Newswatch showcases a Tim Harper column in the Toronto Star about the importance of Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page’s ongoing battle for government data.


Stories that will dominate the Hill Stories that will be (mostly) missed
1. Federal cuts data. The Parliamentary Budget Officer, Kevin Page, is taking departments that won’t provide him data relating to federal cuts to court. The opposition will continue to pressure the government to release the data. 1. Underage radicals. The Security Intelligence Review Committee says the Canadian Security Intelligence Service needs a new approach to handling so-called “underage radicals,” who are more and more coming into contact with CSIS.
2. Foreign takeovers. Don’t expect the opposition to let up on the foreign takeover file. It’ll continue to push for clarity from the government on how it measures a “net benefit” to Canada, until the feds finally reveal their criteria. 2. DND property. Canada’s auditor-general reported yesterday that the country’s military infrastructure is crumbling thanks to inadequate maintenance by DND. The news took a back seat to other A-G revelations.

Where I’ll be today…

I’m going to keep following the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, which is studying Bill C-27, the First Nations Financial Transparency Act. I’ve followed the committee’s last few meetings on the topic—first, when the Assembly of First Nations testified; and second, when the Canadian Taxpayers Federation testified. Today, the committee will hear from members of the First Nations Financial Management Board, Membertou First Nation, Norway House Cree Nation and Sawridge First Nation.

What do you still want to know about C-27? Chime in here, or on Twitter, or wherever else you can find me.


Scorecard for yesterday’s Tease: What a terrible mistake I made yesterday. None of the papers had the news of Auditor-General Michael Ferguson’s report. Don’t blame them, though. The news of the report only came out later in the morning, something I should have foreseen (even without details, A-G reports are a constant source of news and opposition attacks). Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m trying to peel myself off the mat to get back into the game.

Looking for more?

Get the Best of Maclean's sent straight to your inbox. Sign up for news, commentary and analysis.
  • By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
FILED UNDER: