Latest news with #NateErskineSmith
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Carney meets with caucus ahead of jam-packed spring sitting
Liberal caucus members are meeting today ahead of the return of Parliament, this time under the direction of a leader known for his high expectations and ambitious agenda. Sunday's gathering will likely touch on the big-ticket items Prime Minister Mark Carney has promised to deliver, and give MPs a chance to meet before the pomp and circumstance of this week's royal visit. But MPs will also decide whether to empower themselves to turf the newly-elected leader. They will vote on whether to adopt the Reform Act, which would give them the power to trigger a review of Carney's leadership if he loses their confidence. CBC News spoke to half a dozen MPs who say they're pleased with Carney's performance so far following their election night comeback win and see no reason to oust the new leader anytime soon. But those MPs, who spoke on the condition they not be named, pointed to the recent experience with former prime minister Justin Trudeau, who ignored calls to resign for months last year, as motivation to vote for the act. The Liberal's haven't adopted the Reform Act before. The decade-old law, championed by Conservative MP Michael Chong, is meant to provide more checks and balances between caucus and party leaders. The Conservatives used the act to push former leader Erin O'Toole out the door in 2022. In a blog post, Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith said adopting the act shouldn't be controversial and "it's past time we adopted measures to reinforce a leader's accountability to caucus." Erskine-Smith was the housing minister in Carney's first cabinet, but was left out of the prime minister's new cabinet earlier this month. Asked last week if he was comfortable with the Reform Act being discussed so early into his tenure, Carney would only say "it's the law of the land" and the votes will take place. Carney might also have to address caucus unrest already brewing under the surface about his personnel choices. Some MPs who CBC News spoke to stressed they also have concerns that the prime minister elevated several people to cabinet whom they view as weak performers in caucus. WATCH | Carney sets up a throne speech They expressed disappointment that Carney is keeping Marco Mendicino as his chief of staff until later this summer, citing mistakes he made as minister and that he isn't detail-oriented. Liberals will also elect a chair who will lead future caucus meetings and play an important role connecting backbench voices to the prime minister and his cabinet. The Conservative caucus is also gathering on the Hill Sunday to game plan ahead of a jam-packed few weeks. Parliament returns Monday after more than six months, with the first order of business being the election of the Speaker of the House. On Tuesday King Charles will deliver the speech from the throne, which lays out the government's priorities, marking the new session of Parliament. It's just the third time the monarch has delivered the speech since since Confederation. Carney has already outlined his expectations for the coming weeks and months, including the negotiation of a new economic and security relationship with the United States, strengthening ties with reliable trading allies while building up what he calls "one Canadian economy." To that end, Carney has also promised to lower interprovincial trade barriers and bring in an income-tax cut by Canada Day. Speaking with Rosemary Barton Live in an interview airing this morning, House Leader Steven MacKinnon said Carney's made it clear he wants to get things done at breakneck speed. "It's very refreshing," he said. "We're going to get at it." Mandate letter lays out priorities Outside of the comings and doings in the House of Commons, there are two major international events on the calendar as Canada enters a new era of foreign relations. Canada is hosting the G7, a massive undertaking, which will see the leaders of the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Italy and Japan travel to Alberta mid-June. The annual NATO summit is being held later in the month in the Netherlands. Canada's commitment to meeting the NATO spending benchmark of two per cent of GDP will likely be in the spotlight at both gatherings, just as U.S. President Donald Trump pressures members to start paying five per cent of their national income. The Liberal platform includes a pledge to increase existing defence spending by $18 billion in order to meet the two per cent spending target. In a mandate letter sent to his cabinet last week and made public, Carney laid out other broad priorities including building infrastructure projects, "bringing down costs for Canadians," attracting top talent, cutting government costs and "reinforcing law enforcement." Parliament is scheduled to rise on June 20 for the summer break. Carney has promised to table a budget in the fall.
CBC
25-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Carney meets with caucus ahead of jam-packed spring sitting
Liberal caucus members are meeting today ahead of the return of Parliament, this time under the direction of a leader known for his high expectations and ambitious agenda. Sunday's gathering will likely touch on the big-ticket items Prime Minister Mark Carney has promised to deliver, and give MPs a chance to meet before the pomp and circumstance of this week's royal visit. But MPs will also decide whether to empower themselves to turf the newly-elected leader. They will vote on whether to adopt the Reform Act, which would give them the power to trigger a review of Carney's leadership if he loses their confidence. CBC News spoke to half a dozen MPs who say they're pleased with Carney's performance so far following their election night comeback win and see no reason to oust the new leader anytime soon. At Issue | Carney sets up throne speech 2 days ago Duration 22:05 But those MPs, who spoke on the condition they not be named, pointed to the recent experience with former prime minister Justin Trudeau, who ignored calls to resign for months last year, as motivation to vote for the act. The Liberal's haven't adopted the Reform Act before. The decade-old law, championed by Conservative MP Michael Chong, is meant to provide more checks and balances between caucus and party leaders. The Conservatives used the act to push former leader Erin O'Toole out the door in 2022. In a blog post, Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith said adopting the act shouldn't be controversial and "it's past time we adopted measures to reinforce a leader's accountability to caucus." Erskine-Smith was the housing minister in Carney's first cabinet, but was left out of the prime minister's new cabinet earlier this month. Asked last week if he was comfortable with the Reform Act being discussed so early into his tenure, Carney would only say "it's the law of the land" and the votes will take place. Carney might also have to address caucus unrest already brewing under the surface about his personnel choices. Some MPs who CBC News spoke to stressed they also have concerns that the prime minister elevated several people to cabinet whom they view as weak performers in caucus. WATCH | Carney sets up a throne speech They expressed disappointment that Carney is keeping Marco Mendicino as his chief of staff until later this summer, citing mistakes he made as minister and that he isn't detail-oriented. Liberals will also elect a chair who will lead future caucus meetings and play an important role connecting backbench voices to the prime minister and his cabinet. The Conservative caucus is also gathering on the Hill Sunday to game plan ahead of a jam-packed few weeks. House returns, bills to pass and a G7 to host Parliament returns Monday after more than six months, with the first order of business being the election of the Speaker of the House. On Tuesday King Charles will deliver the speech from the throne, which lays out the government's priorities, marking the new session of Parliament. It's just the third time the monarch has delivered the speech since since Confederation. Carney has already outlined his expectations for the coming weeks and months, including the negotiation of a new economic and security relationship with the United States, strengthening ties with reliable trading allies while building up what he calls "one Canadian economy." To that end, Carney has also promised to lower interprovincial trade barriers and bring in an income-tax cut by Canada Day. Speaking with Rosemary Barton Live in an interview airing this morning, House Leader Steven MacKinnon said Carney's made it clear he wants to get things done at breakneck speed. "It's very refreshing," he said. "We're going to get at it." Mandate letter lays out priorities Outside of the comings and doings in the House of Commons, there are two major international events on the calendar as Canada enters a new era of foreign relations. Canada is hosting the G7, a massive undertaking, which will see the leaders of the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Italy and Japan travel to Alberta mid-June. The annual NATO summit is being held later in the month in the Netherlands. Canada's commitment to meeting the NATO spending benchmark of two per cent of GDP will likely be in the spotlight at both gatherings, just as U.S. President Donald Trump pressures members to start paying five per cent of their national income. The Liberal platform includes a pledge to increase existing defence spending by $18 billion in order to meet the two per cent spending target. In a mandate letter sent to his cabinet last week and made public, Carney laid out other broad priorities including building infrastructure projects, "bringing down costs for Canadians," attracting top talent, cutting government costs and "reinforcing law enforcement." Parliament is scheduled to rise on June 20 for the summer break. Carney has promised to table a budget in the fall.
CBC
14-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Toronto MP says he feels 'disrespected' after being dropped from cabinet
Former housing minister Nate Erskine-Smith says it's "impossible not to feel disrespected" after being dropped from cabinet. In a series of social media posts Tuesday, the member of Parliament for Beaches—East York said he ran in the recent election for the opportunity to make "an even bigger difference around the cabinet table and to help fix the housing crisis." "Congratulations to new and old colleagues who were sworn in today," Erskine-Smith said in a post. "This moment calls for a capable team ready to get to work quickly. It's nice to see a number of colleagues receive overdue recognition and I'm hopeful we'll see a lot accomplished in the coming months." Prime Minister Mark Carney shook up his cabinet Tuesday by moving some key players involved in Canada-U.S. relations into new positions and promoting 24 new faces in a move meant to signal change at the top. Erskine-Smith was among 10 people Carney dropped from his cabinet. A disappointing call Speaking on CBC Radio's Metro Morning Wednesday, Erskine-Smith said it was tough to get the call from Carney telling him that he was out. "Politicians are humans too, and it's impossible not to feel some disrespect that you put so much time in and that you came back for this and then it's not there anymore — but there are no guarantees in life either," he said. The MP said he plans to stay in his role, but added that "you never know what the future holds. "One is in this business for one reason and one reason only if they're doing it right, and that's to make the biggest difference you can. So on that basis, it's frustrating for sure." Erskine-Smith, who was first elected in 2015, said in January 2024 that he wouldn't run again in the next federal election, but reversed course in December after he was appointed minister of housing by then-prime minister Justin Trudeau. He said that the way things played out with the new cabinet "doesn't sit right" with him. "But I'm mostly disappointed that my team and I won't have the chance to build on all we accomplished with only a short runway," he said in a social media post. Other MPs dropped from cabinet Erskine-Smith said for now he'll be "working hard" for his constituents, restarting his podcast and returning to Parliament with "a renewed sense of freedom." Also left out of the cabinet on Tuesday were former defence minister Bill Blair, former energy minister Jonathan Wilkinson, former Treasury Board president Ginette Petitpas Taylor and former environment minister Terry Duguid. Several MPs who were shuffled out took to social media Tuesday to express their gratitude for the opportunity to serve. Wilkinson said serving the country in cabinet "remains one of the greatest honours" of his life. Petitpas Taylor congratulated the members of Carney's cabinet and said in French that she was proud to serve Moncton—Dieppe and support the government in building "a better Canada for all." Arielle Kayabaga, who served as minister of democratic institutions and leader of the government in the House of Commons in Carney's first cabinet, said she was "deeply honoured" to have had the opportunity to serve as a member of the prime minister's team.
CBC
14-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Toronto MP says he feels 'disrespected' after being dropped from cabinet
Former housing minister Nate Erskine-Smith says it's "impossible not to feel disrespected" after being dropped from cabinet. In a series of social media posts Tuesday, the member of Parliament for Beaches—East York said he ran in the recent election for the opportunity to make "an even bigger difference around the cabinet table and to help fix the housing crisis." "Congratulations to new and old colleagues who were sworn in today," Erskine-Smith said in a post. "This moment calls for a capable team ready to get to work quickly. It's nice to see a number of colleagues receive overdue recognition and I'm hopeful we'll see a lot accomplished in the coming months." Prime Minister Mark Carney shook up his cabinet Tuesday by moving some key players involved in Canada-U.S. relations into new positions and promoting 24 new faces in a move meant to signal change at the top. Erskine-Smith was among 10 people Carney dropped from his cabinet. A disappointing call Speaking on CBC Radio's Metro Morning Wednesday, Erskine-Smith said it was tough to get the call from Carney telling him that he was out. "Politicians are humans too, and it's impossible not to feel some disrespect that you put so much time in and that you came back for this and then it's not there anymore — but there are no guarantees in life either," he said. The MP said he plans to stay in his role, but added that "you never know what the future holds. "One is in this business for one reason and one reason only if they're doing it right, and that's to make the biggest difference you can. So on that basis, it's frustrating for sure." Erskine-Smith, who was first elected in 2015, said in January 2024 that he wouldn't run again in the next federal election, but reversed course in December after he was appointed minister of housing by then-prime minister Justin Trudeau. He said that the way things played out with the new cabinet "doesn't sit right" with him. "But I'm mostly disappointed that my team and I won't have the chance to build on all we accomplished with only a short runway," he said in a social media post. Other MPs dropped from cabinet Erskine-Smith said for now he'll be "working hard" for his constituents, restarting his podcast and returning to Parliament with "a renewed sense of freedom." Also left out of the cabinet on Tuesday were former defence minister Bill Blair, former energy minister Jonathan Wilkinson, former Treasury Board president Ginette Petitpas Taylor and former environment minister Terry Duguid. Several MPs who were shuffled out took to social media Tuesday to express their gratitude for the opportunity to serve. Wilkinson said serving the country in cabinet "remains one of the greatest honours" of his life. Petitpas Taylor congratulated the members of Carney's cabinet and said in French that she was proud to serve Moncton—Dieppe and support the government in building "a better Canada for all." Arielle Kayabaga, who served as minister of democratic institutions and leader of the government in the House of Commons in Carney's first cabinet, said she was "deeply honoured" to have had the opportunity to serve as a member of the prime minister's team.
National Post
13-05-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith feels 'disrespected' after he's left out of Carney's cabinet
Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith said it's 'impossible not to feel disrespected' after he was left out of Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet announcement Tuesday. Article content Article content 'The way it played out doesn't sit right,' he wrote in a statement posted to X. 'But I'm mostly disappointed that my team and I won't have the chance to build on all we accomplished with only a short runway.' Article content Erskine-Smith was appointed housing minister in former prime minister Justin Trudeau's last cabinet, which was announced in December 2024. When Carney took over as Liberal leader and prime minister in March, he kept Erskine-Smith in housing. But on Tuesday, he was replaced by former Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson, and did not receive another portfolio. Article content Article content In January 2024, Erskine-Smith had said he would be planned to leave federal politics and would not run in the next election. After he was named to Trudeau's he said he had decided to run again. In 2023, he ran for the Ontario Liberal leadership, but lost to Bonnie Crombie. Article content Erskine-Smith is known for being an outspoken MP and has even voted against his own party. He said he will be 'returning to Parliament with a renewed sense of freedom.' Article content Congratulations to new and old colleagues who were sworn in today. This moment calls for a capable team ready to get to work quickly. Article content It's nice to see a number of colleagues receive overdue recognition and I'm hopeful we'll see a lot accomplished in the coming months. Article content Article content I ran again because of the opportunity to make an even bigger difference around the cabinet table and to help fix the housing crisis. I'm not back in any role, unfortunately, so it may not surprise you to learn that it's been a strange day on my end. Article content It's impossible not to feel disrespected and the way it played out doesn't sit right. But I'm mostly disappointed that my team and I won't have the chance to build on all we accomplished with only a short runway. Article content Our ambitious housing plan is bigger than one person, of course. I wish the new minister well and hope we'll see fast action to unleash the market, double down on building community housing, address chronic homelessness, and treat housing as a home first (and investment 2nd). Article content You never know what the future holds. But for now, I'll be working hard for my neighbours here in Beaches-East York, restarting the #uncommonspod, and returning to Parliament with a renewed sense of freedom.
