Business tops experience among 2019 candidates, one-third have run for office before
Whether debating at town halls, canvassing, or presenting their cases online, it’s a near record year for candidates, with 2,146 running, including 1,741 candidates offering for the six major parties and pitching themselves to Canadians in this election. One-third of the 2019 Conservative candidates cite their business credentials in their online biographies—far more than their […]
It’s the end of the road for this tragically obtuse election
OTTAWA—“Alexa, play ‘End of the Road’ by Boyz II Men.” It’s the end of the road for this tragically obtuse election. Election 43 should be known as the Election of Ignorance for the lack of vision, lack of leadership, and a lack of accountability. If this is the best Canada has to offer, we’re effed. […]
A merciful end to a fractious (but not all bad) election
CHELSEA, QUE.—Let’s take a look at the sunny side of election 2019 now that it is coming to a merciful end. This could take longer than you think. Judging by advance polls, it appears that more people voted, and may be voting today, than usual. That speaks to a tight race, a healthy democracy, broader […]
Eat, think, vote: making food a key election issue
As we head to the polls, there is one issue that touches every person living in Canada, from coast to coast to coast. Food. Food nourishes us, brings us together, and connects us with our cultures and traditions. It structures our days, and our economies. Food touches every one of us intimately, and the food […]
Millennials influence parties’ key policy promises, outreach efforts
With millennials making up about one-third of Canadian voters, most political parties have been eager to develop policy platforms and appealing messaging to entice youth to the polls. Based on data from the 2016 census, approximately 29.3 million people are eligible to vote in this election. If millennials are considered to have been born between […]
This is a testing time for leadership
TORONTO—It has been an appalling election campaign where the biggest challenges we face were largely ignored. But once the vote-counting is over, MPs will have little choice but to face up to the looming realities that seriously threaten their easy promises of an affordable and prosperous future. Whoever forms the government will have to get […]
Pod save us all: the growing role of political podcasts in election 2019
As podcasts continue to soar both in number and in popularity, podcasters are playing an increasingly important role in political debates around the world. It’s no different here in Canada, with a number of Canadian political podcasts, such as CBC’s Party Lines and Kevin Newman’s Attention Control, created specifically for election coverage. Others, such as The […]
Good politics, bad policy: why deficits matter and why young Canadians should care
Politicians campaign in poetry and govern in prose and this election season is no different. The first half of the election period has produced billions of dollars in spending commitments, numerous proposed new benefits, and targeted boutique tax credits. Some of these announcements have been properly costed. Other proposals include somewhat questionable numbers or none […]
Election 2019 was a ‘campaign of fear,’ say pollsters
Nasty, negative messaging by the Liberal and Conservatives parties sapped enthusiasm from voters, and failed to generate momentum for either party as of the final week of the campaign. “This campaign has been a campaign of fear,” said Greg Lyle, the pollster behind Innovative Research Group. Both Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Andrew […]
Goodbye for now Twitter, it’s been real
OTTAWA—Goodbye Twitter! I can’t wait until this election is over. Like everyone, I am anxiously awaiting the outcome. And on Monday evening, I am taking a break from that vicious medium. I never was much of a tweeter until earlier this year, when another columnist accused me of taking my marching orders from the Prime […]
