Review of Democratic Processes Needed as Ministerial Responsibility Changes: Experts

Review of Democratic Processes Needed as Ministerial Responsibility Changes: Experts
Katie Telford, Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, leaves after a meeting of the Liberal Caucus on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Mar. 8, 2023. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang
The Canadian Press
Updated:
0:00

One of the longest House of Commons committee filibusters in the last 10 years was the recent marathon attempt by the Liberals to prevent the prime minister’s chief of staff from testifying about foreign interference.

Throughout February and March, government members of the procedure and House affairs committee argued that Katie Telford should answer questions because of ministerial responsibility: the idea that it is up to ministers—including the prime minister—to speak on behalf of their files, staff and departments.