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Ottawa Citizen
21 hours ago
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
Union claims prime minister broke promise to 'cap, not cut' public service
Article content O'Reilly claimed that the Harper cuts 'cut into bone, they cut into meat, it was not surgical,' adding he is concerned the current government's spending review will do the same. Article content The Prime Minister's Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Article content O'Reilly also criticized the Liberal government for not consulting with unions ahead of announcing the spending review, adding that he learned about it through the media. Article content 'They had known about it for a few days, and they never brought us in,' O'Reilly said. 'That's not a partnership. That's not the way I want to work with this government.' Article content Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre recently told CBC that he believed his proposals to cut the size of the public service were what led to his loss in the riding of Carleton. He accused the Liberals of lying about whether they would lay off government workers and blamed campaigning from public sector unions in his riding for his loss. Article content Article content Sharon DeSousa, president of Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), told the Ottawa Citizen that she chalked up Poilievre's local loss to his tendency to alienate voters in an election campaign that unfolded against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to make the country the 51st state. Article content 'I think that cost him more that just the seat,' DeSousa said. 'I think it cost him the election.' Article content When asked whether PSAC, which is the largest federal public sector union, campaigned specifically in Carleton, DeSousa said her union ran a similar nationwide campaign to previous elections. Article content The PSAC leader said she is calling for Carney to 'make good on his promise' to cap, not cut the public service. Article content 'Canadians are watching closely to see what he will do,' she added. Article content Another public sector union, the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) has also sounded the alarm on the proposed cuts. Article content Article content In a statement to the Ottawa Citizen, CAPE President Nathan Prier said he 'welcomes' Pierre Poilievre for holding Carney accountable on the 'broken promise' to 'cap and not cut the federal public service.'
Ottawa Citizen
a day ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Are the Edmonton Elks putting too much pressure on Ford's shoulders?
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Edmonton Elks quarterback Tre Ford (2) celebrates a touchdown against the Montreal Alouettes during second-half CFL action on Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Edmonton. Photo by Greg Southam / Postmedia Optimism and goodwill can come and go fast in life, and in the sports world, too. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. 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 Quicker than anyone could have imagined, it appears to be happening here in Larry Thompson's first true year of ownership of the Edmonton Elks, after purchasing the once-proud CFL team last August. When Thompson stepped forward, enthusiastically buying the club he has loved since childhood, there was plenty to be optimistic about. Just prior to the purchase, following a frustrating 0-5 start, Chris Jones was relieved from his coaching duties by Rick LeLachuer and the board. In retrospect, it's worth noting that four of those five losses were by three points, including three by field goals as time expired. Get the latest sport headlines and breaking news. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again And while we're looking back, it's worth noting right before Thompson came aboard as the private owner, interim head coach Jarious Jackson had won back-to-back games, beating Saskatchewan, 42-31, and B.C., 33-16. Those first signs of success brought hope, and gaining a private owner with Edmonton roots brought even more. Then a few months later, the decision to go all in on Edmonton football ties — with former players Chris Morris as club president, and Ed Hervey as general manager — seemed to generate even more optimism. Admittedly, some wondered why Jackson, who had gone an impressive 7-6 under the interim tag, was never given serious consideration to remain on as head coach. But the hiring of the well-liked Mark Kilam, with strong Edmonton ties himself, seemed to fit the local model. So too did the hirings of co-ordinators Jordan Maksymic and J.C. Sherritt, with one having growing up in St. Albert and the other a former Green and Gold great. How quickly things have changed over the past few months, though. As disappointing as the current 1-4 record is, a few things jump out that make it even worse. At the risk of piling on, let's consider the following: • The four losses have all been by double digits. • Last Sunday's final score, where the Lions won 32-14, actually flattered the Elks, who were totally dominated. B.C. won the total yardage battle by an astounding 519-160 yards. • The Elks have now given up 30-plus points in each of the five games. • The big Tre Ford experiment has, so far, yielded mixed results. The young Canadian QB has flashed brilliance at times, and even looked good in a couple of losses. But last Sunday's 4-of-12 performance for all of 34 yards passing was about as ugly as it gets. And now the question has to be asked: Who made the decision to anoint Ford as the face of this new regime? Was it pushed by ownership or management for marketing reasons? Was it the general manager, or was it a coaching decision exclusively? This advertisement has not loaded yet. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Regardless of how the decision was made, some coaches around the league are whispering that this Edmonton staff is putting far too much pressure on the young QB's shoulders. Does the criticism have merit? Fair or not, five games in, and the second-guessers have yet to be proven wrong. Opinions are one thing, but facts are facts, and they can be unpleasant. One ugly fact, in comparison, is that Jones and Jackson's Elks led the CFL in rushing in 2024. Now let's look at the running-back totals from their last game. Combined, Justin Rankin and Javon Leake had five carries for six yards. That's 1.2 yards per carry. Last year, Rankin averaged 7.8 and Leake averaged 6.5, which placed them first and third in the CFL's final stats. It's worth noting that Stephen Sorrells returned as the club's offensive line coach. Has he forgotten how to coach? Have Mark Korte, Martez Ivey and Brett Boyko suddenly become bad players? If not, then play calling has to enter the discussion. Ford is still young, playing-wise. Blaming him is easy. But in fairness, he's not Michael Reilly. Maybe too much is being asked of him at this stage. After having this past bye week to review, fans have to be hoping to see a more balanced offensive approach, including trying to run the football more, like the 2024 Elks did under Jones and Jackson. That would be the first step toward taking some of the pressure off Ford's shoulders. This much is obvious: The current approach isn't working — not on offence or defence. And unfortunately, both the team record and attendance prove that. After three home games, the Elks are averaging 16,200 per game. Last year, the average home attendance across nine games was 20,499. Right now, Jackson's 7-6 turnaround is looking better and better by comparison. But coach Kilam doesn't wear the disappointment alone. Many factors and decisions are coming into public debate, including a really young defensive staff. If coaches outside of Edmonton are correct, some of those hires were recommended, and in some cases, even pushed for by management. This much we should all be able to agree on; five games, as ugly as they've been, shouldn't define a new owner, president, GM or coaching staff. I believed Morris and Hervey were the right leadership duo back when they were named. And still do. This year may bring more pain before gain. Hope is still justified, along with some patience too. But the reality is the football product has gone backward. This team is much worse than the 2024 version, or at least has been thus far. That wasn't the plan, nor the expectation. Ugly football brings empty seats, as we're witnessing. Larry Thompson deserves better. And sooner rather than later. Luckily, he's in construction. And builders have the wisdom to understand that while some projects get off to a rough start, the final product can still prove to be a winner. Here's to hoping and believing that applies to the Morris, Hervey and Kilam regime, all of whom have Grey Cup championships on their resumes. In terms of their current struggles, though, and the need for renewed hope, a bounce-back win in Saskatchewan sure would go a long way. On Twitter: @GerryModdejonge
Ottawa Citizen
a day ago
- Ottawa Citizen
Summer reading: The healing power of 'blue space' infuses Water Borne
Article content Welcome to the Ottawa Citizen's summer reading file, where we'll feature new work by a local author once a week. Article content Dan Rubinstein is an Ottawa-based writer, editor and stand-up paddleboarder (not necessarily in that order). His first book, Born To Walk, was a finalist at the City of Ottawa Book Awards and Kobo Emerging Writer prize. This piece was excerpted from Water Borne: A 1,200-Mile Paddleboarding Pilgrimage, published in June by ECW Press. Article content In 2023, Ottawa writer Dan Rubinstein completed a round-trip journey, via stand-up paddleboard, from Ottawa to Montreal, New York, Toronto and back to Ottawa. The 10-week expedition allowed him to explore and appreciate the aquatic environment around us. Here's an excerpt from chapter One of Water Borne: Article content Petrie Island, about a dozen miles east of downtown, is one of my regular destinations when I paddle on the Ottawa (River). A park that's connected to the shore by a causeway, it's the farthest I can go on a one-way inflatable SUP excursion and still catch a bus home (or, rather, two buses and an LRT train — an ordeal that can take longer than the downriver run). But I'm not riding public transportation this Monday morning in early June. Lisa, my wife, is driving me to Petrie so I can start paddling east. Article content 'We'll be going against rush-hour traffic,' I tell her, smiling sheepishly as I load my deflated board into the car. 'You'll make it home in time to bike to the office like usual.' Article content Article content I don't point out, mind you, that she'll be bogged down in stop-and-go highway traffic on the way back. And I look the other way when we pass through a construction zone that'll delay her even more. Article content Article content Considering my impending absence for most of the next four months, and the parenting and domestic load that she'll be shouldering solo all summer, this morning's drop-off is a minor inconvenience. Yet Lisa instantly and enthusiastically said 'go for it' when I first mentioned my embryonic idea. Throughout two decades of parenthood together, we've taken turns springing one another for projects away from home. She's a writer, too, and, possessing an emotional intelligence far superior to mine, understands that without a creative and/or physical relief valve, my complaints, about the ennui of nine-to-five work and workaday life in general, will inevitably reach an insufferable crescendo.
Ottawa Citizen
3 days ago
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
Federal cuts are freezing new grads out of the public service
Public servants go to work in downtown Ottawa. Photo by JEAN LEVAC / POSTMEDIA Vanessa Ferucci has been looking for a public service job since what feels like forever. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. 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 A Carleton University graduate from Sudbury, Ferucci finished her political science degree with honours in international relations and world politics in June. She said she always wanted a job in politics and she couldn't imagine doing anything else. 'I finally have a piece of paper that has my full name on it. I worked for it. I did all the work. I did the assignments, I went to class. I feel a lot of pride with it,' Ferucci said. But the weakening job market for youth in Canada, along with Prime Minister Mark Carney's spending review, means Ferucci has been looking for work for months. The Ottawa Citizen's best journalism, delivered directly to your inbox by 7 p.m. on weekdays. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again Federal Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne sent letters to ministers earlier this month asking them to find savings of 15 per cent from their departments over three years. The letters marked the beginning of Carney's spending review, which is set to start in earnest in the next fiscal year with a 7.5 per cent reduction, an additional 2.5 per cent cut the year after and a 5 per cent cut in 2028-29. Carney had also promised to cap the public service throughout his 2025 federal election campaign. Ministers will have until the end of the summer to find where the savings will be coming from, just in time for a new budget in the fall. 'When I heard about the cuts, I thought, 'Well, that sounds about right,'' Ferucci said. She said it's been more difficult for her to find a job in the public service. Most of the job openings at government agencies require her to have five to seven years of experience, she said, something she doesn't have even with previous co-op experience. Ferucci told the Ottawa Citizen she sent 10 to 15 applications months ago but has not heard back from any of them. She also said she's been emailing local MPs and asking them if there are internship or volunteer opportunities at their offices. To help pay the bills, she's been working as a barista on campus. However, she will have to find a job by September because she will no longer be a student at Carleton University when the new school year starts. 'I'm just feeling frustrated because I also don't have time to keep doing this every day. I still do have my summer job, and I love my job … I have to find something, and if I do want to apply to grad school for the fall of 2026, I need some sort of income, especially if I'm not from Ottawa,' she added.
Ottawa Citizen
5 days ago
- Ottawa Citizen
Cameron Highlanders top officer removed in wake of Blue Hackle Mafia controversy
Article content He did not provide the names of those individuals involves in the investigation. Article content Complaints were made in December to military police about the Blue Hackle Mafia group. In addition, complaints about the private Facebook site and the contents being posted by soldiers were made to Lt. Col. Hendy, as well as 33 Brigade Commander Col. James McKay, according to whistleblowers interviewed by the Ottawa Citizen. The inappropriate contents of the Facebook account and its existence was also reported to officials in the Judge Advocate General's office. Article content At the time military police were also provided with videos and screenshots of the Blue Hackle Mafia material but decided not to launch an investigation. Instead, military police turned over the investigation to the Cameron Highlanders. A reserve force captain who serves with some of those involved in the Blue Hackle Mafia was assigned to investigate their behaviour. Article content Article content After the Ottawa Citizen provided Wright with the screenshots of some of the Blue Hackle Mafia material on June 24, military police opened a new investigation. Article content On June 27, Wright spoke with all division commanders about the Blue Hackle Mafia group, reinforcing what he said was 'the Army's commitment to uphold its values and the importance of applying military disciplinary and administrative processes in cases of alleged misconduct.' Article content The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Duke of Edinburgh's Own) serve as the city of Ottawa's official regiment, according to the Canadian Forces. The regiment is tasked, as needed, to provide ceremonial guards of honour for visiting dignitaries and for national ceremonies and events. The reserve unit operates out of the Cartier Square Drill Hall on Queen Elizabeth Driveway. Article content In his statement sent to army personnel, Wright pointed out that the organization 'will continue to ensure that our culture reflects the values and ethics of the Canadian Armed Forces, and I expect the chain of command across the Canadian Army to deal immediately with any inappropriate behaviour that deviates from those values and ethics.' Article content Article content 'This incident has damaged the reputation of the Canadian Army at a time when we are engaged in important modernization work as part of a ready, resilient, and relevant Canadian Armed Forces,' he added. Article content The Blue Hackle Mafia has operated its Facebook group with around 200 participants since at least 2007. Article content As the Ottawa Citizen reported the soldiers on the Facebook page knew what they were doing was wrong but their focus was on not getting caught. They warned each other not to take photos of the wild antics that were taking place at the Cartier Square Drill Hall.
