Overplaying Their Hand
Opposition Members of Parliament have some tools at their disposal to help drive the agenda or raise issues they feel are important. Granted that over the past few decades, that…
Cam Holmstrom
Magpie Brûlé Podcast – PMO/SNC Scandal and By-Election Monday
Episode Three of the Magpie Brûlé podcast is now up and ready to listen to. In this episode, I talk about the SNC Lavalin/PMO scandal, it’s effects and the week…
Decision Day in Burnaby
Over the past two weeks, all of the attention in the #cdnpoli scene has been on the SNC/PMO scandal. This story has grabbed the attention of the public and held…
“Conveying Context”
After two weeks of the SNC/PMO scandal, today brought us the first chance to hear directly from a voice in this debate that we hadn’t heard yet. The House of…
Up Off the Mat or Stuck in the Mud?
Wednesdays in Ottawa are very interesting when the House of Commons is sitting. It’s caucus day for all parties, which can bring some interesting stories, and in this Parliament, it’s…
Running in Place
Today we saw the MPs return after their Family Day break and get back to work in Ottawa. As I wrote about last night, today promised to be one of…
Butts Out
Well this is quite the turn of events, one that I don’t think that many people saw coming, or at least so soon. I surely didn’t. BREAKING: @gmbutts has quit…
Rough Ride Ahead
Back when the House of Commons rose for it’s usual holiday break in December, the first few months of 2019 looked to be promising ones for the governing Liberals. They…
In Defence of Political Staffers
Political staffers and the work they do is one of the great tropes out there in society, regardless of the country you live in. Some people say they are nothing…
Lost in the Spin Cycle
A week in political life can be a funny thing. Some weeks seem to fly by and feel just free and easy, but others seem to be painfully long, never…
Another Case of Foot in Mouth Disease
This has been quite the week in Ottawa, between big snow storms and the political drama coming out of the PMO, and that just by the end of the day…
Shade Instead of Sunshine
Today Canada was watching closely at a bit of drama that unfolded in certain committee room in downtown Ottawa. Calling an emergency meeting of a House of Commons Committee is…
Deeper and Deeper
24 hours can feel like a lifetime in politics, and right now I bet that the Prime Ministers office would agree. Today’s big news of Jody Wilson-Raybould’s resignation from the…
Horror Vacui
When it comes to the world that we live in, it’s amazing how some principles from one field remain very true in others. In regards to politics the world over,…
No Comment
Many days on Parliament Hill, issues or stories will pop up that look bad on a government. When it happens, some of the most hardcore partisans jump up and down,…
The Politician We Aspire To Be
Being involved in politics for over a decade, one gets to have many great experiences and gets to know many amazing people. I know that’s the case for me, and…
The Wrong Hill
Last night stories were making the rounds about NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, his by-election run and the pressures on him to with, along with the potential consequences of a loss.…
The First Drip
As I wrote about last week, one of the first big events of this Federal election season is just around the corner: The Federal Budget. And with all big events…
The Long Goodbye
Having had the chance to work in politics, you get to know some politicians very well. You also get to see that anyone can serve as a politician, as there…