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CTV News
a day ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Many public servants ran for federal office in the spring — only one of them made it
Caroline Desrochers, Liberal member of Parliament for Trois-Rivières, is seen in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout — Caroline Desrochers (Mandatory Credit) OTTAWA — Out of the many federal public servants who ran as candidates in the last federal election, only one was elected: Caroline Desrochers, the Liberal member of Parliament for Trois-Rivières, Que. Originally from Montreal, Desrochers worked at Global Affairs Canada for almost 25 years; her first posting was in Haiti. She later worked for about a decade on Canada-U.S. relations and was posted to New York during U.S. President Donald Trump's first mandate. During that time, she worked on the first round of tariffs and the renegotiation of the North American trade pact. 'I always knew one day I would want to do that,' Desrochers said of entering politics, adding that she was interested in doing work that felt closer to people. 'For me, it was important to have a solid experience to come and do this kind of work.' Desrochers ran for the Liberals in the La Prairie riding in 2021 but was defeated by Bloc Québécois candidate Alain Therrien. Desrochers said her experience in dealing with the Americans on steel and aluminum tariffs and her outreach with the U.S. Congress will be valuable in this 'consequential' moment. She said she's also interested in working on economic development and industry issues, noting the presence of a federal port and a large steel and aluminum industry in her new riding. This is the first time the Trois-Rivières riding has been held by a Liberal since the 1980s. It has been held most recently by Conservative, Bloc and NDP members of Parliament. The Public Service Commission of Canada gave 54 federal public servants permission to run in the recent federal election. Federal government employees who want to run in federal, provincial, territorial or municipal elections need to get permission from the commission, said a commission spokesperson. Before that permission can be granted, the commission has to be satisfied that there are no risks to the political impartiality of the public service. More federal public servants showed interest in running in the recent election than in previous years. The commission received requests from 65 public servants for permission to run in the 2025 campaign — 11 later withdrew their requests. The commission received 29 requests from public servants for permission to run in 2021, and 44 in 2019. The commission granted 38 requests in 2015 and 12 in 2011. The commission says it doesn't have data on the total number of requests filed in those years. While she's keen to work on economic issues and housing — she's now parliamentary secretary to the minister of housing and infrastructure — Desrochers said she also wants to be part of ongoing conversations about modernizing the public service. While Prime Minister Mark Carney promised during the election to 'cap,' not cut, the size of the public service, most departments and agencies have since been asked to find program spending cuts of up to 15 per cent by 2028-29. A recent report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives said the public service could shed almost 60,000 jobs over the next four years as Ottawa looks to cut costs. Desrochers — who worked on transforming Global Affairs Canada before the election — said she believes the public service needs to be trimmed down to make it more efficient. She said that complex processes and multiple levels of bureaucracy are slowing down the work of government. 'We owe that to the Canadian public, to be more efficient in how we do things,' she said. Reducing the size of the public service will be 'a dance' and will 'take some coordination,' Desrochers said, because people retiring or leaving for other opportunities may not be working in the places where cuts are most needed. Desrochers also said that the ratio of executives to non-executives is 'quite high' in some departments and the plan seems to be to cut back in that area as well. The Carney government has struck a new cabinet committee focused on government transformation. Desrochers said she already has started to engage with colleagues on that committee. 'It's important that we get it right,' she said. 'I hope it can be a constructive conversation also with the public service.' Desrochers said there will also be a 'conversation' if some departments are unable to achieve their targets without cutting essential items and services. She said some departments may be able to cut deeper than others, which could allow other departments to make smaller cuts. Desrochers said her main focus when Parliament returns will be housing, particularly for students. She said she's also working on the new Build Canada Homes initiative promised by the Liberals during the election. Desrochers said the government is exploring options for Build Canada Homes, which could become a separate agency or a unit within Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada. 'We're going to start doing work right now with what we have already, the programs that we have, and then we're going to see about what's the best governance of it, but our goal is really to not create more layers of bureaucracy and approvals,' she said. 'This is why you do politics … to work on something that is going to have impact on people. And so, I think to have the privilege of working on that is really, it's really awesome.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 11, 2025. Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press
The Independent
30-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Murdered MP's daughter says decision not to prosecute Kneecap ‘disappointing'
The daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess has said the decision not to charge rap group Kneecap for allegedly telling fans to 'kill your local MP' is 'deeply disappointing'. Katie Amess told the PA news agency that the 'consequence of such rhetoric are all to real', adding: 'We cannot stand by while threats against public servants are normalised.' Videos posted online appeared to show the Belfast-based trio shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah', with one clip in November 2023 appearing to show one member of the group saying: 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.' The Metropolitan Police said no further action would be taken in relation to the comments because any alleged minor offences committed by the group were 'beyond the statutory time limit for prosecution'. The force said more serious offences were considered, but no further action was taken based on the available evidence. Reacting to the decision not to prosecute, Ms Amess told PA: 'It is deeply disappointing that no charges will be brought against Kneecap following their disgraceful comments about killing MPs. 'It was deeply upsetting for my family when we were made aware of what they said. 'There must be no place in our society for hate speech or calls for violence. 'Anyone who incites or encourages harm against others should be held fully to account and face the full force of the law. 'We cannot stand by while threats against public servants are normalised or brushed aside. 'The consequences of such rhetoric are all too real and devastating as my family sadly know only too well.' Kneecap previously apologised to the families of murdered MPs, but claimed footage of the incident had been 'exploited and weaponised'. In a statement, the Met said: 'We understand the impact this decision may have on MPs and their staff. 'The safety and security of MPs is something that is taken extremely seriously across the whole of policing. 'MPs who may be concerned about their safety can contact their dedicated local Operation Bridger officer, who can provide further advice and support.' In a separate probe, police are investigating whether one of the trio suggested fans 'start a riot' outside his bandmate's upcoming court appearance. Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on August 20 after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig in November last year.
