Latest news with #HouseofCommons
Belfast Telegraph
11 hours ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Former NI Secretary of State ‘thrilled' with new job away from politics
Mr Heaton-Harris first entered politics when he became a member of the European Parliament in 1999. A self-described 'fierce Eurosceptic', he served in Brussels before standing down in 2009. The following year he entered the House of Commons in what was his third attempt to win a seat. He served for a time as the Government's chief whip, Minister of State for Transport and Minister of State for Europe. Mr Heaton-Harris also chaired the European Research Group, a Eurosceptic group of Conservative MPs. He garnered controversy in 2017 when he wrote to UK universities, asking for the names of professors who taught courses on Brexit. When Liz Truss became Prime Minister in September 2022, the MP for Daventry was elevated to the post of Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, a role he retained under Rishi Sunak when he entered 10 Downing Street in October 2022. The post has long be seen as one of the less glamorous Cabinet positions. Mr Heaton-Harris was not without his critics during his time as Northern Ireland Secretary, with much of his tenure covering a period when the Executive was down. He was frequently accused of kicking the can down the road when it came to efforts to get Stormont back up and running, calling an election, and cutting MLA pay. He chose not to stand for re-election in last July's General Election and, since leaving office, launched Oak Communications, a consultancy firm offering 'straightforward insight in a changing world'. It is understood Mr Heaton-Harris, a licensed football referee, also unsuccessfully applied to chair the new Independent Football Regulator in November 2024. Now the former MP has added another job to his CV by joining M2 Recovery as a senior advisor. According to the company's website, the firm's team 'comprises seasoned professionals with decades of combined experience in cybersecurity, blockchain technology, and financial services'. 'Collectively, we have many decades of experience working with the highest-profile clients on the most complex cases involving insurance, crypto asset recoveries, and crypto legal expenses insurance,' the website reads. Mr Heaton-Harris said he was 'thrilled' to join the firm. 'In my years as an MP, I dealt with many constituents devastated by the impact of fraud and witnessed the evolution of digital threats facing consumers,' he said. 'M2 Recovery's pioneering approach to restoring trust in the crypto space is exactly what this moment demands and I'm excited to be contributing to the company's rapid growth and continued success.' Neil Holloway, founder of M2 Recovery, said: 'Chris's unparalleled governance experience, from challenging financial malfeasance in Europe to steering critical political negotiations, aligns perfectly with our ethos of accountability. 'This will strengthen our ability to protect victims of increasingly personalised crypto scams, ensuring M2 Recovery remains at the vanguard of this vital sector.'
Toronto Star
a day ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
If Mark Carney has had a less than impressive start, this is the reason why
Delivering his maiden speech in the House of Commons on Monday, Prime Minister Mark Carney wisely tacked towards humility. 'I have much to learn from the members of this great House. I will make mistakes,' he said. 'I have no doubt that you will call them out, and for good reason.' Carney acknowledged that our parliamentary system may seem arcane and ritualistic. But, he said, 'it is on those traditions that our Athenian democracy is founded.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Conservative MP Damien Kurek calls on colleagues to 'fight for Canada' as he steps down for Poilievre
OTTAWA — With a wave of his black cowboy hat and a call for all Parliamentarians to 'fight for Canada,' Alberta Conservative MP Damien Kurek made a heartfelt final address in the House of Commons Thursday before stepping aside for leader Pierre Poilievre. Flanked by a few dozen of his Conservative colleagues after question period, the MP for Battle River—Crowfoot said that politics had been a 'wild, wild ride' for him and his family as he called on his constituents to support Poilievre in the upcoming byelection. During his 10-minute speech, he called on MPs to fight together for Canada, argued that Alberta deserves a 'fair voice' within the federation, threw the occasional barb at the Liberals and joked that stepping down was a more complicated process than expected. 'I didn't know it would be quite so much work to resign,' the hulking Kurek said with his emblematic booming voice, earning laughs from MPs in the chamber. Kurek was first elected in the rural Alberta riding in 2019 and was handily re-elected in April with over 80 per cent of the vote. But when Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre lost his longtime Ottawa riding of Carleton, Kurek announced he would step aside to allow the party head to run in his stead. Kurek said he will resign as soon as House of Commons rules allow it, likely meaning in late June. He's also promised to run again in Battle River—Crowfoot in the next federal election. 'I don't plan to retire from politics, but I am stepping aside to ensure that this byelection is triggered,' he said. Porter CEO battling CRA over tax bill from 'significant losses' from 'high-risk' pandemic trading Quebec Liberal MP Francis Scarpaleggia elected new Speaker of the House of Commons The reason why Kurek is the Conservative MP stepping aside for Poilievre appeared to come from NDP MP Gord Johns, who expressed his condolences to Kurek for his father's passing in the last year and wishing him well in taking over the family farm. 'He's going to do well with it, and we wish him well as a farmer, supporting Canadians so we get our food, and the work that he does around his farm,' Johns said. 'I thank the member for the very kind words,' Kurek replied. 'And I think it emphasizes that in this place, we can trade passionate partisan barbs, we can passionately disagree, but that doesn't mean that there's hatred toward each other.' His farewell speech was briefly heckled by Liberal MPs, one of which loudly booed his announcement that he was resigning to allow Poilievre to run and another who loudly lamented the cost of a byelection (estimates vary from $1.7 million to $2 million). The comments pushed Conservative MP Michael Barrett to cross the aisle and apparently scold them before Johns and some Liberal MPs jumped in to lower the temperature. While responding to later well-wishes from the Liberals, NDP, Bloc Québécois and Greens, Kurek acknowledged that he was excited to be back on the family farm — and far from opposing party benches. 'I look forward to being able to spend a little bit more time in a tractor cab. The good thing about being in a tractor cab, Mr. Speaker, is that it doesn't heckle you,' he said. Kurek also repeatedly thanked his wife Danielle, who was watching from the visitors' gallery, for supporting his time in politics and noted that he looked forward to spending more time with his three sons. He then finished with a call to action for all MPs. 'As Danielle and I move on to what is a bit of an unexpected chapter of our lives, I would ask each and every person in this House: fight for Canada, fight for what's right, and do so boldly and strongly, because that's the least we can do for the people that send us here.' 'I plan to be back, God willing, but in the meantime, I look forward to being the best husband, the best dad and the best rural farmer that I can possibly be,' he added. He then stood up, waved his trademark black cowboy hat in the air, and walked out of the House of Commons. National Post cnardi@ Get more deep-dive National Post political coverage and analysis in your inbox with the Political Hack newsletter, where Ottawa bureau chief Stuart Thomson and political analyst Tasha Kheiriddin get at what's really going on behind the scenes on Parliament Hill every Wednesday and Friday, exclusively for subscribers. Sign up here. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our politics newsletter, First Reading, here.
Vancouver Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Conservative MP Damien Kurek calls on colleagues to 'fight for Canada' as he steps down for Poilievre
OTTAWA — With a wave of his black cowboy hat and a call for all Parliamentarians to 'fight for Canada,' Alberta Conservative MP Damien Kurek made a heartfelt final address in the House of Commons Thursday before stepping aside for leader Pierre Poilievre. Flanked by a few dozen of his Conservative colleagues after question period, the MP for Battle River—Crowfoot said that politics had been a 'wild, wild ride' for him and his family as he called on his constituents to support Poilievre in the upcoming byelection. During his 10-minute speech, he called on MPs to fight together for Canada, argued that Alberta deserves a 'fair voice' within the federation, threw the occasional barb at the Liberals and joked that stepping down was a more complicated process than expected. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'I didn't know it would be quite so much work to resign,' the hulking Kurek said with his emblematic booming voice, earning laughs from MPs in the chamber. Kurek was first elected in the rural Alberta riding in 2019 and was handily re-elected in April with over 80 per cent of the vote. But when Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre lost his longtime Ottawa riding of Carleton, Kurek announced he would step aside to allow the party head to run in his stead. Kurek said he will resign as soon as House of Commons rules allow it, likely meaning in late June. He's also promised to run again in Battle River—Crowfoot in the next federal election. 'I don't plan to retire from politics, but I am stepping aside to ensure that this byelection is triggered,' he said. The reason why Kurek is the Conservative MP stepping aside for Poilievre appeared to come from NDP MP Gord Johns, who expressed his condolences to Kurek for his father's passing in the last year and wishing him well in taking over the family farm. 'He's going to do well with it, and we wish him well as a farmer, supporting Canadians so we get our food, and the work that he does around his farm,' Johns said. 'I thank the member for the very kind words,' Kurek replied. 'And I think it emphasizes that in this place, we can trade passionate partisan barbs, we can passionately disagree, but that doesn't mean that there's hatred toward each other.' His farewell speech was briefly heckled by Liberal MPs, one of which loudly booed his announcement that he was resigning to allow Poilievre to run and another who loudly lamented the cost of a byelection (estimates vary from $1.7 million to $2 million). The comments pushed Conservative MP Michael Barrett to cross the aisle and apparently scold them before Johns and some Liberal MPs jumped in to lower the temperature. While responding to later well-wishes from the Liberals, NDP, Bloc Québécois and Greens, Kurek acknowledged that he was excited to be back on the family farm — and far from opposing party benches. 'I look forward to being able to spend a little bit more time in a tractor cab. The good thing about being in a tractor cab, Mr. Speaker, is that it doesn't heckle you,' he said. Kurek also repeatedly thanked his wife Danielle, who was watching from the visitors' gallery, for supporting his time in politics and noted that he looked forward to spending more time with his three sons. He then finished with a call to action for all MPs. 'As Danielle and I move on to what is a bit of an unexpected chapter of our lives, I would ask each and every person in this House: fight for Canada, fight for what's right, and do so boldly and strongly, because that's the least we can do for the people that send us here.' 'I plan to be back, God willing, but in the meantime, I look forward to being the best husband, the best dad and the best rural farmer that I can possibly be,' he added. He then stood up, waved his trademark black cowboy hat in the air, and walked out of the House of Commons. National Post cnardi@ Get more deep-dive National Post political coverage and analysis in your inbox with the Political Hack newsletter, where Ottawa bureau chief Stuart Thomson and political analyst Tasha Kheiriddin get at what's really going on behind the scenes on Parliament Hill every Wednesday and Friday, exclusively for subscribers. Sign up here . Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our politics newsletter, First Reading, here .
Calgary Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Conservative MP Damien Kurek calls on colleagues to 'fight for Canada' as he steps down for Poilievre
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Member of Parliament for Battle River—Crowfoot, Damien Kurek, right, with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. OTTAWA — With a wave of his black cowboy hat and a call for all Parliamentarians to 'fight for Canada,' Alberta Conservative MP Damien Kurek made a heartfelt final address in the House of Commons Thursday before stepping aside for leader Pierre Poilievre. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Flanked by a few dozen of his Conservative colleagues after question period, the MP for Battle River—Crowfoot said that politics had been a 'wild, wild ride' for him and his family as he called on his constituents to support Poilievre in the upcoming byelection. During his 10-minute speech, he called on MPs to fight together for Canada, argued that Alberta deserves a 'fair voice' within the federation, threw the occasional barb at the Liberals and joked that stepping down was a more complicated process than expected. Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again 'I didn't know it would be quite so much work to resign,' the hulking Kurek said with his emblematic booming voice, earning laughs from MPs in the chamber. Kurek was first elected in the rural Alberta riding in 2019 and was handily re-elected in April with over 80 per cent of the vote. But when Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre lost his longtime Ottawa riding of Carleton, Kurek announced he would step aside to allow the party head to run in his stead. Kurek said he will resign as soon as House of Commons rules allow it, likely meaning in late June. He's also promised to run again in Battle River—Crowfoot in the next federal election. 'I don't plan to retire from politics, but I am stepping aside to ensure that this byelection is triggered,' he said. The reason why Kurek is the Conservative MP stepping aside for Poilievre appeared to come from NDP MP Gord Johns, who expressed his condolences to Kurek for his father's passing in the last year and wishing him well in taking over the family farm. 'He's going to do well with it, and we wish him well as a farmer, supporting Canadians so we get our food, and the work that he does around his farm,' Johns said. 'I thank the member for the very kind words,' Kurek replied. 'And I think it emphasizes that in this place, we can trade passionate partisan barbs, we can passionately disagree, but that doesn't mean that there's hatred toward each other.' This advertisement has not loaded yet. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. His farewell speech was briefly heckled by Liberal MPs, one of which loudly booed his announcement that he was resigning to allow Poilievre to run and another who loudly lamented the cost of a byelection (estimates vary from $1.7 million to $2 million). The comments pushed Conservative MP Michael Barrett to cross the aisle and apparently scold them before Johns and some Liberal MPs jumped in to lower the temperature. While responding to later well-wishes from the Liberals, NDP, Bloc Québécois and Greens, Kurek acknowledged that he was excited to be back on the family farm — and far from opposing party benches. 'I look forward to being able to spend a little bit more time in a tractor cab. The good thing about being in a tractor cab, Mr. Speaker, is that it doesn't heckle you,' he said. Kurek also repeatedly thanked his wife Danielle, who was watching from the visitors' gallery, for supporting his time in politics and noted that he looked forward to spending more time with his three sons. He then finished with a call to action for all MPs. 'As Danielle and I move on to what is a bit of an unexpected chapter of our lives, I would ask each and every person in this House: fight for Canada, fight for what's right, and do so boldly and strongly, because that's the least we can do for the people that send us here.' 'I plan to be back, God willing, but in the meantime, I look forward to being the best husband, the best dad and the best rural farmer that I can possibly be,' he added. He then stood up, waved his trademark black cowboy hat in the air, and walked out of the House of Commons. Get more deep-dive National Post political coverage and analysis in your inbox with the Political Hack newsletter, where Ottawa bureau chief Stuart Thomson and political analyst Tasha Kheiriddin get at what's really going on behind the scenes on Parliament Hill every Wednesday and Friday, exclusively for subscribers. Sign up here. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our politics newsletter, First Reading, here.
