‘The kids are alright’: reflections on two years of legal cannabis in Canada
The percentage may be too high for some, but the predicted escalation in the number of young people indulging in cannabis use as a result of legalization has not materialized.
“Reefer madness” has not overtaken Canada. Two years into the legal regime of cannabis and statistics indicate that marijuana use has not skyrocketed. Nationally, cannabis use amongst Canadians 15 years and older increased by two per cent (between 2018 and 2019), with six provinces reporting no change in the percentage of users. Similarly, six per cent of Canadians (1.8 million people) reported that they consumed cannabis daily, which is unchanged from before legalization. More importantly, young Canadians have not been mesmerized by legal cannabis. Ten per cent of 15-to-17-year-olds declared that they had consumed cannabis, which is lower than the percentage (20 per cent) prior to legalization. Meanwhile, among the 18-to-24-year-old cohort, weed use is unchanged from 2018 at 33 per cent. Granted, this percentage may be too high for some, but the predicted escalation in the number of young people indulging in cannabis use as a result of legalization has not materialized.
Conservatives to finalize nomination rules for incumbent MPs before leadership election to avoid political pressure to support any one leadership candidate, say Tories
Nomination rules before the leadership election will allow MPs to decide who to support for the party’s top job without any pressure, says Saskatchewan Conservative MP Randy Hoback.What’s up with gas? Explaining the global and local politics behind the price at the pump
Despite global uncertainty causing oil and gas prices to spike, Canada's oil and gas supplies have remained stable. ‘There seemed to be this complete loss of faith in institutions’: Canadian journalists talk about covering ‘Freedom Convoy’
Carleton University brought together journalists for the 'Journalism Under Siege' panel discussion surrounding media coverage of the ‘Freedom Convoy’ protest that descended on downtown Ottawa for weeks.New Tory leader needs to prioritize GTA region in next election to win, say former Conservative candidates
More than 30 GTA Conservative candidates of record have formed an informal group to push leadership candidates to make the area a priority in the next election. In 2021, the Tories only won seven of 57 GTA seats.Top 100 Lobbyists 2022: Hybrid model is new norm for lobbyists tired of virtual meetings
After years of mostly virtual meetings, lobbyists are ready to embrace a hybrid model balancing remote communications with in-person events.Charest campaign yet again denies Harper is against former Quebec premier’s leadership campaign bid
The Charest campaign will believe media stories suggesting Stephen Harper is against the former Quebec premier’s campaign when the former prime minister says something on the record, says top strategist Michael Coates.Canada’s push for Russian accountability at the ICC faces an uphill battle
As allegations of Russian war crimes mount, questions loom if an ICC case can help deter Moscow's aggression. Convoy support could help Poilievre’s leadership bid, but populist support can cut both ways
Geoff Norquay, who backs Jean Charest, says the next federal Conservative leader will have to position the party in a more 'centrist, and less populist' direction if it hopes to form government.With calls to remove ambassadors, Canada risks curbing response to Russian invasion
UN Ambassador Bob Rae says that diplomatic representation in Moscow is 'necessary.' 
