Opinion
Reality threatens Liberal honeymoon, but it isn’t over yet
By Susan Riley Apr. 4, 2016
There is still considerable goodwill towards this prime minister, but, like the refugee flow, it clearly 'cannot be sustained indefinitely.'
Justin Trudeau mishandled a delicate issue last week when he tried to explain why unemployed oil sector workers in Edmonton are not eligible for enriched EI benefits, while their colleagues in Calgary are. Sounding more like Harper than the Care Bear, Trudeau said it was a matter of 'cold, hard mathematics.' The Hill Times photograph Jake Wright
GATINEAU, QUE.—The Liberal government avoided a damaging rift with one of its friendliest constituencies—Canadians who have enthusiastically rallied to sponsor Syrian refugees—by suddenly reversing course last week. Hundreds of private groups, with apartments furnished and ready, were disappointed and hurt by the government’s inexplicable, and quiet, decision last month to withdraw overseas staff who had been expediting refugee claims. It meant a much longer wait—even until next year—before their designated families would arrive. It meant cancelling leases and
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