Being Canadians there are some unique experiences that we have compared to other countries around the world. Living next to the United States has always been one of those, one of the few experiences that we can honestly say unites Canadians from all over the country. Yes, most countries have
Continue readingAuthor: Cam Holmstrom
Magpie Brûlé: Talking the Prime Ministers WE Testimony with Kristy Cameron
Yesterday I joined Kristy Cameron on CFRA’s “Ottawa Now” along with Lindsay Maskell & Jason Lietaer on the “Political Heat” panel. We talked about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s testimony before the House of Commons Finance Committee on the WE Scandal, the new questions his testimony raised, the lack of actions
Continue readingMagpie Brûlé: A Thursday with Justin
Tuesday we saw a big day in Ottawa when the Co-Founders of WE, the Kielburger brothers, testifying before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance. It was testimony the likes of which we hadn’t seen in this town in a while and that really didn’t do them, nor the
Continue readingMagpie Brûlé: Talking the WE Scandal & the Kielburgers Testimony with Rob Snow
Yesterday I joined Rob Snow on 1310 News “The Rob Snow Show” along with Katlyn Harrison. We talked about the latest on the WE Scandal, Tuesdays testimony by the Kielburgers before the House of Commons Finance Committee, how their testimony didn’t help their cause nor that of the government, the
Continue readingMagpie Brûlé: WE’s Cribs Notes
Yesterday was quite a day and much of the Canadian political landscape is buzzing about the testimony the Kielburger Brothers gave to the House of Commons Finance Committee, just not for the reasons why I think the brothers were hoping. I remain surprised that they went before that committee and
Continue readingMagpie Brûlé: A Different Kind of WE Day
This afternoon we saw something we rarely see in Canadian politics; a blockbuster round of testimony before a House of Commons committee during the Summer months. In this case, it was the first of two this week, as we’ll also see the Prime Minister and his Chief of Staff also
Continue readingMagpie Brûlé: Talking the Growing WE Scandal with Kristy Cameron
Yesterday I joined Kristy Cameron on CFRA’s “Ottawa Now” along with Katlyn Harrison & Lindsay Maskell on the “Political Heat” panel. We talked about the latest on the WE Scandal, the continued ethical issues for this government, the serious questions this case is raising, the big week of testimony ahead,
Continue readingMagpie Brûlé: Talking the WE Scandal on “The Arlene Bynon Show”
This morning I joined Arlene Bynon on “The Arlene Bynon Show” on Sirius XM’s Canada Talks 167, along with Alise Mills. We discussed the latest in the WE Scandal, should the Finance Minister and Prime Minister resign, the echoes of Adscam in this newest scandal, the corrosive effects of these
Continue readingMagpie Brûlé: Oh WE Oh My
2020 is a year that just keeps delivering or disappointing, depending on your point of view. We’re into the last week of July and in normal times things are quiet on our national political front. In normal times, it takes a lot for anything political to break through with the
Continue readingMagpie Brûlé: Talking the Latest on Phase 3 Re-Opening & the Growing WE Scandal with Kristy Cameron
Yesterday I joined Kristy Cameron on CFRA’s “Ottawa Now” along with Katlyn Harrison & Lindsay Maskell on the “Political Heat” panel. We talked about the latest on Phase 3 re-opening in Ontario, new cases of COVID-19 popping up, what to do about bars in the re-opening and the growing WE
Continue readingMagpie Brûlé: Somethings Gotta Give
Back on Monday Ontario announced it’s plans to move most of the province into Phase Three of re-opening, something that many people welcome despite the unknown that we face ahead of us. Included in this next phase will be the re-opening of bars, something that I have to admit has
Continue readingMagpie Brûlé: Temporary Demotion of Democratic Norms in Lethbridge
Working in politics and for elected officials is an experience where you get to do many things and hone many different skills. From research, to getting to know policy, budgeting skills and right down to the interpersonal, you find yourself in all kinds of situations and positions. It’s part of
Continue readingMagpie Brûlé: Talking the Trudeau WE apology & Phase Three of Re-Opening with Graham Richardson
Today I joined Graham Richardson on CFRA’s “Ottawa Now” along with Katlyn Harrison & Lindsay Maskell on the “Political Heat” panel. We talked about the Prime Ministers apology for the WE scandal, if it is enough, what questions still remain to be answered & the announcement of Phase Three of
Continue readingMagpie Brûlé: Trudeau’s WE Strike Three
Normally summers are very quiet times around Ottawa, and for good reason. MPs head home, people take vacation and generally it’s a period of quiet and a time that people recharge their batteries. But just as with everything else that COVID-19 has touched, the summer in Ottawa isn’t the same
Continue readingMagpie Brûlé: The Race as an Independent
In my time volunteering then working in politics, I was very fortunate to get to see and experience many campaigns. Federal, provincial, municipal and leadership, each campaign had its own characteristics and unique issues. The laws and rules guiding them were different, evolving and had an effect on how those
Continue readingMagpie Brûlé: “Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You”
Next week will mark four months since COVID-19 really started to hit here at home and how so many things have changed since then. It’s a bit crazy to think back to how things were before this started, partially because how some things have changed so much but also because
Continue readingMagpie Brûlé: Talking Mandatory Mask Wearing & Another Scandal for the PM with Kristy Cameron
Yesterday I joined Kristy Cameron on CFRA’s “Ottawa Now” along with Jason Lietaer & Lindsay Maskell on the “Political Heat” panel. We talked about Ottawa making mask wearing in public mandatory, how that should be enforced, the latest around the newest self-inflicted scandal to strike the Prime Minister & how
Continue readingMagpie Brûlé: Talking Bob Rae as UN Ambassador & New Ethics Investigation of the Prime Minister on “The Arlene Bynon Show”
This morning I joined Arlene Bynon on “The Arlene Bynon Show” on Sirius XM’s Canada Talks 167, along with Alise Mills. We discussed the appointment of Bob Rae as Canada’s new Ambassador to the United Nations, the interesting timing of the change, the newest ethics investigation of the Prime Minister
Continue readingMagpie Brûlé: Failing the Easiest of Tests
This space has been a bit quiet for the past week as I’ve been taking some time to recharge my batteries, get outside in the beautiful air and see some family I haven’t been about to see for months due to COVID-19. That’s meant a trip home to my roots,
Continue readingMagpie Brûlé: Talking the Wearing of Masks & Police Funding with Kristy Cameron
Yesterday I joined Kristy Cameron on CFRA’s “Ottawa Now” along with Katlyn Harrison & Lindsay Maskell on the “Political Heat” panel. We talked about the latest developments in Ontario’s re-opening from COVID-19, if it’s time for Ontario to make mask wearing in public mandatory, how mask wearing somehow became “political”,
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