Prime Minister Trudeau announces Andrew Leslie as Chief Government Whip
On Nov. 20, 2015, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Andrew Leslie, Member of Parliament for Orleans, as the Chief Government Whip for the Liberal government. Chief whip Leslie was is a retired Canadian Forces Lieutenant-General who was elected to the Orleans riding on Oct. 19, 2015, in the last federal election.
“I have every confidence in the remarkable abilities of retired Lieutenant-General Andrew Leslie,” said Prime Minister Trudeau, in a Nov. 20, 2015 news release. “He will ensure that our members in Parliament are in the right places at the right time, and ensure that we remain focused on implementing our plan for a positive, ambitious, open, and transparent government. I am thrilled that he is a part of our strong team committed to returning a voice to Canadians in Ottawa.”
Each party in the Parliament of Canada has a whip who is responsible for ensuring that party members are present for debates and votes. As Chief Government Whip, Leslie will assign offices and seats in the House of Commons, and “encourage members to follow party commitments.”
October 2015 is hottest recorded October in human history
Planet Earth broke a not-so-positive record in October 2015. According to research by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the average global temperature for October 2015 was 14.98 degree Celsius.
The measured value was approximately 0.98 degrees Celsius above the 20th Century average. Additionally, NASA figures suggest that 2015 will be the hottest year ever recorded. Records go back to 1880.
Researchers, like NOAA climate scientist Jessica Blunden—who was referenced in a Nov. 18, 2015 AP article—blame climate change accelerated by an especially potent El Nino for the unusually hot temperature.
—Compiled by Sameer Chhabra