February 5, 2025
“Canadian Political Lanscape: Insights on the Liberal Leadership Contest and the Triggering of an Election” with Mr. Lucas Malinowski and Mr. Mike Donison
Gain insights into the Canadian political landscape and the current Liberal leadership contest from these politically aware leaders, as well as into the options for launching an election and when one might take place. Your questions on these topics are welcomed.
Timestamp
0:00 Welcome and introductory comments – Ms. Darlene McLean
1:45 Who is the Christian Embassy of Canada?
2:30 Introduction of Mr. Harold Albrecht
3:00 Introduction of panelists – Mr. Harold Albrecht
4:19 Insights on the Liberal Leadership Contest – Mr. Lucas Malinowski
5:11 Key considerations and context
8:16 Timeline
9:53 Membership of the party
10:48 How a winner is chosen
12:26 Who are the candidates?
14:54 What Liberals are looking for
15:33 The Triggering of an Election – Mr. Mike Donison
16:30 Situations in which a dissolution of Parliament can occur, triggering an election
20:46 Process (by convention and by law)
24:53 Prorogation of Parliament
26:01 What effect does prorogation have on the proceedings and measures in Parliament and the ongoing governance and executive authority of the government?
26:58 You mentioned that whoever is chosen as the Leader of the Liberal Party will automatically become Prime Minister. How can that happen if he/she is not a member of Parliament? What are the rules and conventions around this situation?
28:36 What is the “Caretaker Convention” and how would the Government operate during an election?
32:52 We are expecting an election in 2025. What will the ballot question be in this upcoming election?
36:28 Other countries are in a similar situation to Canada, in that they have elections coming up. Trump’s decision to cut off funding (project donations, financial support for judicial reform, financing funds for government or local authority or NGOs) has serious consequences. Do you believe that the pre-election period for our countries is the most important reason that the US is taking such drastic measures all of a sudden?
38:47 In which way do the actions and plans of the current US administration, vis-a-vis Canada, influence the electability of the candidates to lead the Liberal Party (and also the wider electoral campaign), should the elections be called?
41:25 Is there any situation in which the prorogation period could be suspended by the Governor General and the reassumption of Parliament ordered before March 24th?
43:49 How long will it take for the Opposition to table a non-confidence motion once Parliament reconvenes? Or would it be just easier to wait for the Budget Bill, which is expected to be tabled in March, and defeat that, rather than table a separate motion?
45:10 Ruby Dhalla, is–as you have said–a disruptor candidate and might still stand a good chance at the leadership. When Chandra Arya was disqualified, Ms. Dhalla spoke about being the only South Asian candidate in the running. Franky speaking, is Canada ready for a South Asian Prime Minister? What are her chances in terms of percentage?
47:19 If a caretaker government is in place, could they negotiate with the Trump Administration on any action to be taken to avoid tariffs?
48:46 Wasn’t there a rule that the leadership leader is not able to run for general election? Some people speculate that the reason why some potential candidates–such as Champagne or LeBlanc–dropped out of the leadership race is because they might run for general elections.
50:21 Do you foresee the House to reconvene earlier than March 24th, considering the extra funds associated with border security promises to US President Donald Trump–which I assume still require Parliament’s approval–and possibly 30 days from now, before the tariff suspension expires?
52:41 In the case that Prime Minister Trudeau would ask the Governor General to reconvene Parliament, are the major political parties likely to put aside partisan interests and vote to approve the budget to avoid Trump’s tariffs?
56:35 Thank you and closing prayer – Mr. Harold Albrecht
57:54 Closing remarks – Ms. Darlene McLean
Insights on the Liberal Leadership Contest Powerpoint Presentation
Mr. Lucas Malinowski
Lucas Malinowski is a Public Affairs professional currently serving as the Vice President and Director of Federal Affairs at the Global Automakers of Canada.
With extensive experience in media relations, legislative procedure, events management, as well as strategic and crisis communications, Lucas has served Premiers, Leaders of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, Cabinet Ministers and a wide variety of public affairs and communications clients.
During his time with the Government of Ontario, September 2014 to February 2018, Lucas served as Special Advisor to the Government House Leader, Senior Communications Advisor to the Minister for Early Years and Child Care and Director of Communications to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. In his many roles he provided strategic leadership on a variety of challenging files including introducing carbon pricing through Ontario's cap and trade system, shepherding record amounts of government legislation through parliament, the 2016 Speech from the Throne's commitment to create 100,000 new child care spaces, and major cap and trade funding initiatives.
A native of Burnaby, British Columbia, Lucas holds an Honours degree in Political Science with a Minor in Dialogue Communications from Simon Fraser University.
Mr. Mike Donison
Mr. Donison is currently serving as a part time sessional lecturer in the Department of Economics, Philosophy and Political Science at the University of British Columbia–Okanagan in Kelowna, B.C., teaching an introductory course on Canadian Government and Politics.
He was a political consultant and analyst for more than 20 federal and provincial elections. He has served in a number of political roles in Ottawa:
- Deputy Director and then Director of Policy and Research in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition
- Executive Director of the Conservative Party of Canada
- Senior Policy Advisor for Legislation and Democratic Reform to the Government House Leader
He has worked with cabinet ministers, including as Assistant to the Minister of National Defence and Veterans’ Affairs in Ottawa (1979-80) and Ministerial Assistant to the Minister of Industry and Small Business Development in Victoria, B.C. (1980-82).
Since 2011 he has served as the Chancellor of the Anglican Diocese in Canada.
Mike is a graduate of the University of Victoria (Honours Political Science) and the University of British Columbia (Law). He practiced law, particularly in the areas of commercial, real estate and succession and estate law for 23 years and is still a member of the British Columbia Bar. He taught courses on Constitutional law, the Canadian Legal System and Canadian Government at the University of Victoria.
Mike and his wife Marilyn are enjoying retirement in Kelowna, B.C.
The opinions expressed by the speakers and commentators at our events and posted on our website are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Christian Embassy.