We need something better than televised leadership debates, we need content
HALIFAX—When political spin machines meet the public’s legitimate need to know, the winner is usually confusion. That is especially true in an election cycle. Instead of giving clear messages on major issues of public policy, candidates usually spend their time making unsubstantiated claims about their own virtues, while throwing shade on their opponents. Election slogans, […]
Political spouses’ role could vary as campaign season nears, experts say
With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife expected to be canvassing for the Liberals during the campaign, party strategists and experts are split on how much of a role unelected partners should play in the election. Kevin Bosch, vice-president at Hill and Knowlton Strategies and former deputy director of the Liberal Research Bureau, said Sophie Grégoire […]
What’s Andrew Scheer’s vision for Canada?
OTTAWA—“Canadians are struggling at a time when our economy is supposedly doing well,” the federal party leader said, “and people I meet across the country have a lot of questions as to why their government hasn’t been able to help them through these difficult times.” That was Justin Trudeau in 2013 talking about the difficulty […]
Scheer’s ambiguous positioning on abortion, gay rights a ripe way to lose Red Tories, say politicos
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer’s “nuanced” stances on abortion and same-sex marriage threaten to simultaneously alienate the party’s more progressive wing and to undercut its chances of persuading pliable voters to bet on the Conservatives over the Liberals, say political observers. Mr. Scheer’s (Regina-Qu’Appelle, Sask.) ambiguous positioning on socially conservative issues has rankled so-called Red Tories […]
Beating the pods: Peter Mansbridge, Kevin Newman launch podcasts
Veteran Canadian journalists Peter Mansbridge and Kevin Newman have released new podcasts to discuss the upcoming election. The former longtime CBC The National anchor launched The Bridge, which will look at political developments as election day approaches. The podcast—named after a moniker George Stroumboulopoulos gave Mr. Mansbridge—will put out an episode and every weekday, and […]
Liberal agitation on social issues predictable, but still exposed Scheer’s vulnerabilities
OTTAWA—While the official election call still looms, there is no doubt we are in the throes of political warfare. Witness last week’s battle lines, as the Liberals launched a capable offensive on Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer’s position on key social issues. Since the days of Stockwell Day and the Canadian Alliance, a predictable, expected Liberal […]
NDP promises to name 100-plus candidates in mere days as it trails competition
As it trails the other parties, the NDP says it plans to name another 122 candidates—a third of its roster—in the coming days, as some strategists called its nomination pace “big trouble” and questioned whether it could run a full slate or give candidates enough time to be election and campaign ready. The party expects […]
Start of Trans Mountain pipeline construction amid election a threat to Liberals in B.C., say observers
Construction on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project will be underway during the federal election, and while the start of work may steal steam from certain Conservative attacks, observers say it’s overall likely bad news for Liberal fortunes in seat-rich British Columbia. “From the Liberals’ perspective, it’s a big problem. I really, for the life […]
NDP not doing itself any favours with protracted nomination process
The federal NDP have released their campaign slogan and a new flagship ad, telling Canadians that they’re “in it for you.” But looking at the party’s track record for nominating candidates for the Oct. 21 contest begs the question: who, exactly, is in it? As it’s done in polling and fundraising for years, the NDP […]
Environmental group endorses 25 candidates in bid to send more climate advocates to the Hill
A non-partisan environmental organization is throwing its support behind 25 federal candidates in the upcoming election in an effort to send more climate activists to the next House of Commons. GreenPAC on Tuesday released a list of 25 candidates, including 15 incumbent MPs from all four major political parties, who have a strong track record […]
