The irony of the federal election candidates controversy
TORONTO—My article has nothing to do with the Justin Trudeau blackface scandal. While it is relevant to my subject, the genesis of this article preceded the recent bombshell revelation, so I decided to take no notice of it here. With this disclosure let us begin. Pierre Elliott Trudeau described Members of Parliament as “nobodies 50 […]
Why climate change is central issue in our election campaign
TORONTO—The Liberals, if re-elected, are promising not only to exceed Canada’s climate change target for 2030, but also to enact legislation so that Canada reaches net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. That is an ambitious target, considering that we are currently not on track to reach our 2030 commitment. But if we are to reach […]
Plurality of voters approves of Trudeau’s handling of blackface controversy: poll
The Liberals have made it through the blackface controversy with their lead intact. There is no significant change in Liberal support at the national or regional level. There are also no major changes in Trudeau’s “favourables,” and his lead on “best prime minister” is marginally stronger. Yet, while the national story is good for the […]
Liberal, Conservative heavy-hitters brought in to fight to win NDP’s Hamilton ridings
Environment Minister Catherine McKenna has her sights set on the NDP’s two ridings in downtown Hamilton, and two Conservative front-benchers have already visited the city to help launch Tory campaigns in Hamilton Mountain and Hamilton Centre. While the party leaders have criss-crossed the country on national tours, including stops in Hamilton, some other well-known MPs […]
More political hits like blackface controversy might be unsustainable for Grits, say Liberals
With both leading national parties expected to unleash their best “bombshell” research on each other in the coming days, some Liberals are worried they cannot afford to take any more major hits, saying self-inflicted wounds have already damaged the Liberal brand and “crushed” the enthusiasm and morale of the rank-and-file-party members, riding executives and candidates. […]
Kim Campbell was right
OTTAWA—Former prime minister Kim Campbell once said an election is no time to discuss policy. Her party went on to face a historic defeat, saving only two seats in the House of Commons. In this election, Campbell’s viewpoint seems to be shared by some journalists on the campaign trail. Just last week, the Liberals and […]
New Chinese envoy arrives in Ottawa
As Canada’s dispute with the Chinese government nears its 10-month mark, a new Chinese envoy has started his posting in Ottawa. Cong Peiwu officially took up his ambassadorial duties after presenting his Letter of Credence to Canada’s chief of protocol Stewart Wheeler on Sept. 23. He arrived in Ottawa on Sept. 22, according to the […]
What happened to the Liberal brand?
HALIFAX—When Justin Trudeau became the leader of the Liberal Party back in 2013, it was nothing short of a coronation. He won handily on the first ballot and proceeded to bring the party back to life at perhaps the most vulnerable time in its history. Often referred to as the country’s “natural governing party,” the Liberal […]
In the name of banning ‘fake news,’ the government is infringing on free speech
OAKVILLE, ONT.—With all the furore that’s surrounding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s blackface scandal, it’d be easy to miss an important news item that came out recently. But I didn’t miss it, because this particular news item happened to touch on a subject of keen interest to me: the right to free election speech. So what […]
McKenna, Taman, and the fight for Ottawa Centre
OTTAWA CENTRE—Five candidates vying for the federal seat in Ottawa Centre, all women, sit across three holding tables in the Glebe Community Centre on Sept. 15. Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, 48, is in the centre, the hue of her bright red jacket accentuated by the intense TV lights. The all-candidates debate was broadcast on Rogers […]
