‘The rift is getting bigger and bigger’: some Conservatives worried about party unity once ‘pretty nasty’ leadership campaign ends
The ongoing, divisive Conservative leadership campaign is causing serious concerns about party unity for some current and former senior Conservatives who say one of the key tests of the new leader will be to keep the party united. “The rift is getting bigger and bigger,” said Bert Chen, a former Ontario national councillor, in an […]
Sore losers are bad for democracy, so don’t be a sore loser
OAKVILLE, ONT.—To operate as it should, democracy requires good losers. That’s to say, people who are on the losing side of a democratic election, must be able to take that loss in stride, accepting their defeat with at least some degree of magnanimity. The general attitude should be: “Hey, our side may have lost, but […]
If you’re looking for a leader in Harper’s mould, look to Charest
As the Conservative leadership campaign shifts gears, voters will soon choose which name to scribble at the top of their ballot. For many Conservatives, Stephen Harper remains the paragon of a leader who successfully balanced strong governing abilities with popular appeal. Commanding and steadfast, Harper set the standard for his future successors. And while many […]
The economy leaves COVID behind as a make-or-break political issue
OTTAWA—We knew how to stop the economy to slow Canadians’ interactions during the pandemic, but restarting it is a lot harder, Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem has pointed out. The central bank, which is expected to raise interest rates again this week, now finds itself at the centre of the firestorm over affordability and […]
The case for firing the governor of the Bank of Canada
OTTAWA—Canadians should expect two things from their central bank: independence and single-mindedness. And if the governor of the Bank of Canada can’t deliver on these two essential components of the job, then he or she should be replaced by someone who can. When it comes to monetary policy, the Bank of Canada’s only job is to keep the country’s inflation rate at an average of two per cent, with one per cent of wiggle room […]
In a pitch to supporters, Charest lays out his plan for the Canadian economy
Conservative leadership candidate Jean Charest promised to make the country’s taxation regime more practical, to reduce barriers for both Canadian and international professionals who are trying to find work in different provinces, and to modernize the work of government, in a public webinar pitched to small business owners on Tuesday, and organized by his campaign. […]
Feds table bill to limit handguns, meanwhile, most Conservative leadership candidates say they would scrap Firearms Act and start over
Prompted by the recent mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, the federal Liberals introduced a new gun control bill on Monday that would limit handguns in Canada. The new bill, C-21, will effectively prohibit any further circulation of handguns across the country. “We’re introducing legislation to implement a national freeze on handgun ownership. […]
Fast says he has ‘no regrets’ speaking out against Poilievre’s ‘monetary quackery’ on Bank of Canada
After resigning from the role of his party’s finance critic on May 18, Conservative MP Ed Fast says he has “no regrets” after publicly criticizing his colleague and leadership front-runner Pierre Poilievre’s pledge to fire the Bank of Canada governor, and what he calls “monetary quackery” coming from Poilievre’s camp. Fast (Abbotsford, B.C.) said he […]
Canadians should fear ‘pseudo-American’ populism
OTTAWA—The Americanization of Canadian politics. That is what we can expect if Pierre Poilievre wins the Conservative leadership, according to chief rival Jean Charest. Charest pulled no punches in an aggressive closing statement at the party’s French, and final, debate in Laval last Wednesday night. “The question we face is a very serious one. Will […]
Federal parties spent $82.9-million in last federal election, Conservatives spent $28.9-million, Libs spent $27-million
Collectively, the five main political parties spent nearly $83-million in the last federal election, according to data from Elections Canada, with the Conservative Party leading the way in election spending with $28.3-million. Parties were required to file their expense returns for last year’s 44th General Election on May 20, to Elections Canada, and the data […]
