Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre released the second long-form interview profiling a member of his team last weekend, “part of [his] series to introduce you to the growing and even more impressive Conservative caucus, people who will form part of a future Conservative government,” Poilievre said by way of introduction to the June 14 video titled Conservative Conversations: Pierre and Chief Billy Morin MP. 

Seated on either side of a large wooden desk in a dark, den-like space decorated with a few books, plants, and Conservative Party decals, the leader and the rookie MP for Edmonton Northwest, Alta., chatted for 48 minutes about Morin’s background and experiences. “Thanks to our @CPC_HQ Leader for giving me a little more space & time to discuss how, why & who helped me get here on behalf of EdmNW,” Morin wrote on X that same day.

Poilievre released a similar “get to know the people, understand the team” video on May 31 featuring another new Tory MP, Skeena–Bulkley Valley, B.C.’s Ellis Ross, which was shorter (half an hour) and had a more casual vibe, with the men seated in club chairs against an exposed brick wall and no podcast-style microphones.

‘Emotional,’ ‘compelling’ film of refugee family gets Ottawa premiere June 19

The Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers is hosting a free movie night at the ByTowne Cinema this Thursday. The Canadian documentary film, Shining Light: A Vietnamese Canadian Legacy, will make its Ottawa premiere followed by a panel discussion with the director and many key players in this personal tale of resettlement.

“This is a compelling story, a good-news story about what Canada can do in international affairs,” former Canadian ambassador Gary Smith told Heard on the Hill last week by phone.

Smith, who’s a co-producer of the film, said the true story of a Vietnamese mother who gives birth on a Danish ship while escaping war-torn Saigon, who’s then air-lifted by helicopter to Hong Kong where she and her infant are processed by a young Canadian immigration officer, is “a really good story, a personal story, with an international dimension and a Canadian dimension.” With support from Heritage Canada, Shining Light celebrates this year’s 50^th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam war, showcasing the positive outcomes that taking in refugees has had on this country.

While the documentary will make good viewing for those interested in refugee policy and resettlement concerns, it’s also a great snapshot of the work foreign service officers do in the field, Smith told HOH.

Smith will be moderating the post-screening panel discussion featuring the mother Mui Nguyen Bui, her daughter Anh Vu-Lieberman, the now-former Canadian immigration officer Margaret Tebbutt, and representatives from the Danish Embassy, the UNHCR, and the British High Commission on behalf of the other key players in this “emotional” story. Director/co-producer Robbie Hart with Adobe Pictures in Montreal will be there, too.

Shining Light screens on Thursday, June 19, at 7 p.m. ET at the ByTowne Cinema, 325 Rideau St. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.

Pablo Rodriguez clinches Quebec Liberal leadership

Former federal Liberal cabinet minister Pablo Rodriguez won the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party on June 14. The former MP defeated a total of four rivals over two rounds of voting: Karl Blackburn, Marc Bélanger, and Mario Roy were eliminated on the first ballot, while Charles Milliard lost to Rodridguez’s 52.3 per cent of the vote on the second round.

The party celebrated its new leader by setting the next goalpost, the provincial election: “Together, on Oct. 5, 2026, we will give Quebec the government it deserves: a Quebec Liberal government!” Two-term CAQ Premier François Legault offered his congratulations to Rodriguez on X that same day, saying he looks “forward to collaborating on the major issues affecting Quebecers.”

Two parliamentarians receive Belgian honours

CSG Senator Clément Gignac and Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin each received the Chevalier de L’Ordre de la Couronne medal from Belgian Ambassador Patrick van Gheel last week. “It’s been a pleasure serving as co-chair of the Canada-Belgium Parliamentary Friendship Group,” Dabrusin posted on X along with a photo of the trio. “Best wishes to the new co-chairs as they continue to strengthen ties between our nations.”

AFN moves July AGA to the fall

The ongoing wildfires have prompted the Assembly of First Nations to postpone its annual general assembly from July to September, the group announced on X on June 12. Still scheduled to take place in Winnipeg, the three-day meeting will now happen Sept. 3-5. “The decision to postpone was made in response to the ongoing wildfire situation, which continues to affect First Nations across the country,” reads a statement on the AFN’s website.

Meanwhile, AFN leadership hosted a national virtual forum on the Liberal government’s proposed Bill C-5, the Building Canada Act, on June 16. “AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak has expressed alarm about that timeline and has warned that First Nations have not been properly consulted,” The Canadian Press reported on June 13.

CBC’s Richard Madan signs off after 20 years in journalism

Washington, D.C.-based CBC correspondent Richard Madan shared some personal news on June 16: “After 20+ years in Journalism (including nearly 10 (!!) years in DC), I’m signing off from @CBCNews. It’s been an hono(u?)r!”

Best wishes poured in from his fans including Madan’s former CTV colleague Don Martin: “Another big loss for Canadian media. Richard was a heavyweight at @CTVNews before leaving for CBC and always played it straight.”

Madan rejoined the public broadcaster in the U.S. capital in November 2023 after more than a decade with CTV. Born in the U.S. and raised in Canada, Madan is a former parliamentary staffer and Carleton University alumni. He first worked for CBC from 2000 until 2005. 

“You’re one of the best, Richard!,” gushed ex-Alberta premier Jason Kenney. “You’ve always been an unbiased, good faith pro who obviously loves the craft. A credit to journalism.”

As for what’s next for the longtime journalist, he said, “I’ll soon share what’s next — so stay tuned.”

Nordic embassies celebrate Midsummer

Swedish Ambassador Signe Burgstaller hosted the annual Nordic Embassies’ Midsummer party at her Rockcliffe Park residence on June 13. Featuring flower crowns, traditional cuisine, live music, and dancing around the maypole, the event was a celebration of Nordic culture, and was co-presented by the ambassadors of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway.

Maynard, Eatrides in hybrid speaker series next month

If you’re looking for a stimulating lecture series this summer, the University of Ottawa’s got you covered. uOttawa’s Samuelson-Glushko Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic launched its four-part summer speaker series last week featuring Jordan Zed, assistant secretary to the cabinet, artificial intelligence, who shared his thoughts on this country’s evolving engagement with AI policy and governance.

Coming up on June 25, experts from McMaster University, McGill University, the Competition Bureau, and the Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project will explore labour mobility and non-competes in “Freedom to Move.” Then on July 9, Information Commissioner Caroline Maynard, freelance journalist Dean Beeby, Canadian Press reporter Jim Bronskill, and access-to-information activist Ken Rubin—also a contributor to The Hill Times—will talk about “Reforming Access to Information.”

And finally, on July 30, the CRTC’s chair and CEO Vicky Eatrides and its general counsel and deputy executive director Rachelle Frenette will discuss “Telecommunications in Canada.” The hybrid talks will take place on uOttawa’s campus.

cleadlay@hilltimes.com

The Hill Times