Party conventions, venue for preaching to ‘the converted,’ could be in for revamp as parties plan for coronavirus contingencies
The barnstorming of far-flung ridings, posing for grip-and-grin photo-ops, and holding glitzy fundraisers have all been abandoned in the face of the coronavirus. Large-scale party conventions could be next, as some parties are either working to prepare for scaled-back, virtual events, or choosing to delay their initial plans. The Green Party, which is in the […]
Ontario court’s failure to ensure safe, equitable access to sterile needles blow to prisoners’ rights
Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice recently released a disappointing decision in a groundbreaking case for prisoners’ rights in Canada. The judge missed the opportunity to ensure prisoners’ right to effective access to sterile injection equipment, a basic and evidence-based harm reduction measure that is essential health care for people who use drugs. This decision, which […]
Feds should use anti-racism strategy to tackle anti-Asian sentiments in wake of pandemic, say experts
Amid reports of a rise in anti-Asian racism driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, some advocates and critics are calling on the federal government to use its anti-racism strategy to respond to those threats, with experts saying it should redirect funds to more targeted initiatives. Avvy Go, a director with the Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal […]
Canada’s COVID-19 jobs recovery hinges on more insightful data
The months of physical distancing are beginning to pay off. Governments have begun to set in motion plans to reopen their economies. While our collective attention must remain focused on the health and well-being of Canadians, it is undeniable that we are in the midst of a job crisis unlike any Canada has seen before. […]
A digital vaccination scar for the 21st century
In the 1800s, smallpox ravaged the world. Fortunately, a vaccine had been developed that could protect individuals. This vaccine left a scar at the site of injection and identified the individuals as “immune.” As we look towards the future of the COVID-19 pandemic, unless the virus burns out or an effective therapeutic intervention becomes available, […]
Environment, resource development agenda among April’s top-lobbied files
COVID-19 is offering important lessons for Canada’s approach to climate change and the need for green programs to be built into economic recovery, say some of the groups lobbying the ministers focused on these files and pushing them to the top of the list during the pandemic. Over the last two months, Natural Resources Minister […]
Oil demand drop, renewable energy resiliency prompts calls for federal clean energy investment in economic recovery
Following recent evidence showing that renewable energy hasn’t shared the same fate as oil and gas, which have seen recent and dramatic drops in demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Green Party MP Elizabeth May is calling on the federal government to support the renewable sector over the beleaguered oil sands, with a number of environmental […]
It’s time for a Conservative eye exam because the Tories can’t read the room
OTTAWA—Congratulations Conservatives, you played yourselves. On May 12, Ekos Research released its latest polling results that captured political support amid the coronavirus pandemic. And boy, were they revealing. The landscape has changed dramatically over the last few months since the federal election in October, when the Liberals were handed a minority in Parliament. Now they’re […]
Boost of federal support needed for better cross-Canada internet connectivity
At the end of April, the House of Commons held its first-ever and historical virtual Parliament through the all-Member of Parliament Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic. The session used video conferencing, just like thousands of Canadians have been doing over the past few weeks to connect with family and friends, to access online education […]
Beyond COVID-19: an unchartable political course for months, maybe years
OTTAWA—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who came to power touting “sunny ways,” is now presiding over Canada in what can only be called the Year of Tragedy. The death of a member of the Snowbirds team engaged in a cross-country flight program to cheer up Canadians during COVID-19 is only the latest. There’s the pandemic itself, […]
