Relations with Russia will be Canada’s foreign policy barometre
In the recent Maclean’s televised leaders debate, the Ukraine conflict and the question of our relationship with Russia received virtually no attention at all, despite an entire half-hour segment having been dedicated to foreign policy. This is deeply unfortunate. On the issue of our ties with Moscow, our political leaders are either unwilling or unable […]
Where the party leaders have been so far this campaign
During this 78-day election campaign, the party leaders will be criss-crossing the country. Follow where they're going here. Conservative Leader Stephen Harper Date Riding Province Aug. 2 Ottawa Centre Ont. Aug. 2 Mount Royal Que. Aug. 3 Ajax Ont. Aug. 4 Eglington-Lawrence Ont. Aug. 6 Toronto Centre Ont. Aug. 7 Richmond Hill Ont. Aug. 9 […]
Leadership critical in early voter decisions
Election news reports are filled with stories of leaders and polls. But how important are leaders as people decide which party to vote for? And how important are perceptions of who is likely to win as voters make up their minds? This week we focus on the elements of voter decisions that are most likely […]
Meandering, centreless 2015 is the Seinfeld campaign
KINGSTON, ONT.—If there is anything remarkable about campaign 2015, it’s that it isn’t remarkable at all. Despite all the Sturm und Drang about Nigel Wright’s testimony, or the leaders’ debate, or the attack ads, nothing seems to be registering. It has been a meandering, vague sort of affair, one without a centre. It’s the Seinfeld […]
Liberals lead other national parties in candidate nominations
With three national political parties vying to form the next government after the Oct. 19 election, none of the four national parties has yet completed the nomination process in all 338 ridings across the country. Based on the information posted on the websites of the four national parties and from party spokespeople, as of press […]
Harper could stay for another election if Conservatives win minority, say Conservative insiders
The current election campaign is Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s last regardless of the outcome, according to a new book from a veteran journalist, but several Conservatives say that if the Conservatives are reduced to a minority government in the Oct. 19 election, their leader would likely stay on to avoid being toppled by opposition parties […]
With only one candidate nominated, Conservatives unlikely to win a seat in Newfoundland: insiders
The Conservative Party has no hope of winning seats in Newfoundland and Labrador, which is why all but one of the province’s ridings are without candidates three weeks into the election campaign, say political observers. “The Conservative Party is well aware that winning seats in Newfoundland is near impossible, so they’re focusing on areas where […]
Expect Harper to ride out ‘routine’ campaign style through Duffy trial
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been out on the hustings in six provinces and territories since his early election call, making daily, early-morning announcements, a strategy that’s expected to continue despite the national media’s fixation on former chief of staff Nigel Wright’s testimony at the ongoing criminal trial of Senator Mike Duffy in Ottawa. “It’s […]
Candidates’ social media history adds new dimension to vetting
The “name and shame” game has always had a role in politics, but its targets are becoming easier to find due to a generation of political candidates with years of online history from daily social media use and opinion-filled blog posts. As political parties rush to nominate candidates across the country, they’re looking to minimize […]
Politics This Morning Election 2015: Duffy trial heats up
Day two of testimony from former PMO chief of staff Nigel Wright at Senator Mike Duffy’s trial on fraud, breach of trust and bribery, saw more emails being released, this time from defense laywer Donald Bayne. The court exhibits reveal some new information from Sen. Duffy’s perspective, including that he believed he was taking “a […]
