O’Toole’s flawed strategy was destined to fail
OAKVILLE, ONT.—There’s a commandment in the pundit’s playbook that says: “Thou Shalt Always Second Guess Political Party Strategists.” So, who am I, as a self-respecting pundit, to defy the rules? Indeed, armed as I am with the miraculous power of hindsight, I’m almost compelled at this moment in time to play Monday Morning Quarterback, a […]
Conservative Party national councillor launches online petition to oust O’Toole
A senior member of Conservative Party’s national council, the highest governing body of the party, has started an online petition asking for the recall of Erin O’Toole as leader, accusing him of “betraying” the party’s founding principles, “breaking” the trust of the members, and for “failing” to win the Sept. 20 federal election. “Erin O’Toole […]
Increasing tally of early voters adding new dimension to campaign calculus
Election over election, Canadians are increasingly locking in their votes ahead of election day—whether at advance polls or by special ballot—and this creeping shift in voter behaviour hasn’t gone unnoticed by political parties, adding a new dimension to campaign calculus, say strategists. Advance voting turnout this election jumped by as much as 19.5 per cent, […]
Be kind, don’t rewind the 43rd Parliament
Alright, now what? With the 44th election over, the composition of the House of Commons, whenever it reconvenes, is going to look eerily similar to what it was before the dissolution of Parliament in mid-August. When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid a visit to Governor General Mary May Simon on Aug. 15, the Liberals had […]
Trudeau ‘dodged the bullet’ but will now run the country and party from a ‘weakened’ position, say politicos
After losing his gamble of calling an election in the midst of COVID-19 to win a majority, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will now run the country and his party from a weakened position as the opposition parties will do everything they can to embarrass the government in Parliament, which will dominate the national agenda in […]
Déjà vu vote gives Trudeau a mandate of sorts in a volatile, disjointed political landscape
OTTAWA—Canada demonstrated its deeply etched divisions again in the Sept. 20 election, but opted in the end for a progressive, forward-looking approach to the post-COVID era rather than the right-wing agenda the Conservatives couldn’t keep under wraps for 36 days. The early adverse public reaction to Justin Trudeau’s decision to call an election was ironically […]
Political leaders need to address violence, hate seen on campaign trail, say experts
After a campaign with party leaders being harassed, volunteers being assaulted, and election signs being defaced with hate symbols, experts say more needs to be done to address the increased vitriol seen on the campaign trail. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) was hit by gravel thrown at him at a campaign stop in London, […]
Election returns a familiar Parliament, but it won’t be so friendly for some
OTTAWA—Quick. What does $600-million get you? A doppelganger Parliament. Some 36-plus days after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called an election, it has ended with an outcome almost identical to when the race began. Canada now has its second consecutive Liberal minority and fifth already of the 21st century. Major political leaders may like majorities, Canadians […]
Violence, anti-Semitism, and poutine? The COVID-19 election was one to remember
In all the hustle and bustle of the election season, it’s almost easy to forget that a pandemic is still raging outdoors, burning through lives and human health like so much dry wood in a forest fire. But with that reality, candidates and party leaders had to get a little creative with their campaign during […]
Ex-Ontario House leader Naqvi will take procedural bonafides to the Commons
When the Queen’s Park veteran officially arrives in the House of Commons, Liberal MP-elect Nasir Yaqvi hopes to use his familiarity with parliamentary procedure to help manage the twists and turns of life in a minority Parliament. From 2014 to 2018, Mr. Naqvi—who defeated NDP challenger Angella MacEwen to win the riding of Ottawa Centre, […]
