Opinion
When the art of the possible is an impossible dream, demagoguery takes hold
By Andrew Caddell July 17, 2019
In this age of extreme views in social media and cynicism in the body politic, the idea of honourable compromise seems to have died.
Quebec Premier François Legault says the restrictions imposed in his province by Bill 21 is ‘what the people want.’ But, Andrew Caddell asks, how far does that go? Photograph courtesy of CAQ’s Instagram
HALIFAX—I recently went to a book launch in Montreal in a local synagogue, at which many prominent citizens attended. The atmosphere of civility inside was in stark contrast to the political climate outside. A few days before, the Coalition Avenir Québec government had passed Bill 21, forbidding people in authority (including teachers, police, and judges) from wearing clothing with a religious orientation. Anyone wearing a hijab, a turban, or a yarmulke need not apply for those jobs.
Related Stories
Explore, analyze, understand
Guide to Using Social and Digital Tools in Election Campaigns: Digital and Social Tools that Politicos are Using to get Elected, Raise Funds, and Recruit Volunteers
Guide to Using Social and Digital Tools in Election Campaigns
Get the book
Guide to Using Social and Digital Tools in Election Campaigns
Get the book
You Might Be From Canada If…
You Might Be From Canada If . . . is a delightful, illustrated romp through this country as it celebrates its 150th birthday.
Get the book
You Might Be From Canada If . . . is a delightful, illustrated romp through this country as it celebrates its 150th birthday.
Get the book
Spinning History: A Witness to Harper’s Canada and 21st Century choices
An unvarnished look at the Harper years and what lies ahead for Canadians
Get the book
An unvarnished look at the Harper years and what lies ahead for Canadians
Get the book
Politics This Morning
Your email has been added. An email has been sent to your address, please click the link inside of it to confirm your subscription.
‘I felt silenced’: voices missing from Upper Chamber’s systemic racism debate, say some Senators, highlighting need for hybrid model
Senator Mobina Jaffer is among those who say the in-person-only approach to spring Senate sittings limited participation and worries it will remain in place when Parliament returns in September.Mounting deaths stemming from police wellness checks a ‘wake-up call,’ says Senator
‘We need to address poverty and support community programs to prevent many of the situations that police are being asked to handle with guns and handcuffs,' says NDP critic Don Davies.Backroom, Capitol Hill lobbying key to fighting possible return of tariffs, says MP Wayne Easter
'At least at this stage, it's better to work the backrooms, work the players that have some influence with the White House, and try to ensure that such a threat doesn't become a reality,' says Canada-U.S. group co-chair.‘Just not the same’: Parliamentarians plan Canada Day festivities around the COVID-19 pandemic
'We do not celebrate the existence of this country in the same way other people do, because we think that the existence of this country came at a price to our ancestors and to us,' says Senator Murray Sinclair.Transformative global pandemic could bring positive changes to society, but will require ‘an incredible amount of political will,’ say politicos, pollsters
The deeper the impacts of COVID-19, the more likely that major changes will occur in our society, says EKOS president Frank Graves.MacKay’s victory could be a ‘threat to the party unity,’ says Conservative MP Kusie
'Peter MacKay has a proven track record of uniting Conservatives, and that's precisely what he's doing in the leadership campaign. And that's what he'll do if he's elected as leader,' says Conservative MP Michael Cooper.Editorial independence assured, say Facebook and Canadian Press, amid launch of $1-million fellowship
A spokesperson for the heritage minister says 'we are currently looking at models adopted in other countries on appropriate remuneration of news content and will come back with new propositions in due course.' Human Rights Watch’s call to return Canadians detained in Syria is ‘complicated’ by suspected links to terrorism, says Trudeau
'We will continue to work through third parties to try and provide consular assistance to Canadians,' says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.Federal, provincial watchdogs still waiting for full privacy assessment on national contact-tracing app
The Ontario privacy commissioner says he hasn’t seen the app in the final form ahead of the planned July 2 rollout, but is ‘satisfied that privacy is being properly considered.'Trending Stories
