Federal Conservatives say green technology, not taxes key to meeting Paris targets
The Conservatives say Canada’s path to achieving the Paris targets will hinge in large part on the development of green technology, not taxes. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer (Regina-Qu’Appelle, Sask.) unveiled the plan in Chelsea, Que., a small municipality just 10 kilometres north of Ottawa. In the face of criticism from the Liberals that his party […]
The misconception of Canada’s foreign aid generosity
Earlier this year, Statistics Canada reported that in 2017 there were 278,000 fewer children living below the poverty line, compared to 2015 when the Liberals took office. Through policy measures, including the introduction of the Canada Child Benefit, the Liberal government has done some admirable work in reducing poverty in this country. For this, credit […]
Pharmacare debate a symptom of chronic electoral grandstanding
OTTAWA—On June 12, an advisory council appointed by the Trudeau government recommended the establishment of a universal, single-payer public pharmacare system. When fully actualized in 2027, it is estimated it would cost $15-billion dollars per year. The council was led by Dr. Eric Hoskins, a former Ontario health minister. Hoskins is a well-respected physician and […]
Veterans Affairs Minister MacAulay hires Morneau adviser to head up his policy team
Veterans Affairs and Associate Defence Minister Lawrence MacAulay has a new director of policy in his office, with Emily Yorke, a former policy adviser to Finance Minister Bill Morneau, taking over as of June 10. Ms. Yorke spent a little more than two years in all working as a policy adviser to Mr. Morneau, whose […]
Who is the real Conservative leader? It depends on who you ask
Andrew Scheer is on record as being the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. But who is the de facto leader? Is it Doug Ford, Jason Kenney or Stephen Harper? Who is really running the show or calling the shots? Ontario Premier Doug Ford has shut down the Ontario legislature until after the federal […]
Conservatives haven’t quite learned their lines in the theatre of inclusivity
OTTAWA—If you are a member of a marginalized community in Canada, the Conservatives have trolled you over the last couple of weeks with the Justice Committee’s devolution into Trumpian Theatre under the guise of tackling online hate speech. On Tuesday, May 28, the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights held one hearing of many […]
Conservative Leader Scheer makes changes to his OLO communications team
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer recently made some changes to the communications team lineup in his Official Opposition Leader’s Office, with two former advisers to Ontario Premier Doug Ford marking their first day on the job last week. News that two of Mr. Ford’s communications aides—Veronica Green and Simon Jefferies—would be making their way to Ottawa […]
Nationalism, Canadian-style
OAKVILLE, ONT.—Imagine if you were charged with fighting a war knowing that one of the most effective weapons in your arsenal was supposed to be left untouched. If victory was hanging in the balance, surely you’d be tempted to use that weapon, right? Well, that’s the way political party strategists must feel when it comes […]
Next election shaping up to be a much more contested affair than originally predicted
OTTAWA—In light of the recent code of conduct clarifications around registered lobbyists and political commentary, I have arrived at the conclusion that the risk level involved is inversely proportional to the actual value of the strategic advice that is being offered, essentially being wrong is the new being right. So, if giving bad advice is […]
Building a new Arctic strategy for Canada
In April, the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development issued a comprehensive report on the Arctic. The report is timely because of the rising ambitions of other nations in the Arctic, the impacts of climate change, and increasing commercial activity in Arctic waters. Ensuring security in the region will mean pursuing a strategy […]
