Martin’s generals-in-waiting: who are they?
TORONTO–Now that Paul Martin has succeeded in his quest for the leadership of the Liberal Party, many in the media are still focusing on who will be part of the Martin government. Ministers, however, are not necessarily the real powerbrokers in the federal political structure. In fact, in many cases; they’re only the salespeople of […]
Layton optimistic about NDP’s prospects in next election run: ‘Alliance is in free-fall and not considered a threat which was a big factor in Grit victory last time’
NDP Leader Jack Layton says he expects a “very significant increase” in the number of seats in the House of Commons for his party in the next federal election, expected in the spring, 2004. The NDP holds only 14 seats in the House of Commons. Mr. Layton, who still doesn’t have a seat in the […]
Local development agencies could be better-managed: NDP has for years lobbied for an Independent Energy Commission to review gas prices
Small and medium sized enterprises are the cornerstone of the Canadian economy and the numbers are here to prove it. Small businesses employ six out of ten Canadians in the private sector and created 343,000, (or six in 10) new jobs in 2002 alone. They play a major economic role in local communities from coast […]
Chretien-Martin condominium
In his elegantly-written biography of Paul Martin, The Power Of Ambition, John Gray describes him and Jean Chretien as, “one of the most effective, if not the most effective, political combinations the country has ever seen.” [Graph Not Transcribed] That’s overdoing things a bit. But for John A. Macdonald and Georges-Etienne Cartier, there would have […]
Small businesses need big tax and regulatory reform: we need to utilize tax and regulatory reform to create a leadership role in Canada’s economy
Small and medium enterprises play an important role in the Canadian economy. They account for 50 per cent of our GDP, and provide over half of all employment. The sector has also been more resilient post-Sept. 11 than many of our corporate giants. While the titans have cut work-forces, SMEs continue to provide strong and […]
There go the TV debates
TORONTO–The worst thing that happened to nationally televised political campaign debates is that the first one actually meant something. Those of a certain age will recall the 1960 showdown between Richard Nixon and John Kennedy, and the impact, in Kennedy’s favour, that it had. It wasn’t that Kennedy articulated his positions more clearly. Quite the […]
Finance Minister Manley says to look at the big picture on SMES: responding to the Economist’s story, Canada’s been ‘cool’ for some time now, says John Manley
The Hill Times Finance Minister John Manley, who recently suggested he can’t map out the next annual fiscal blueprint because he might not even hold the same position in a Paul Martin government, plans to deliver his highly-anticipated economic statement in early November before the House of Commons adjourns for what could be months. While […]
Feelgood a tangled web of powerful political relationships: it’s all about Eddie, the press secretary, who tries to put the final touches on PM’s keynote speech
Just in time for the Liberal Party leadership convention, the Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC) is mounting a production of Feelgood, a political farce by Alistair Beaton, British playwright and former speechwriter to Gordon Brown, the chancellor of the exchequer. Based on the spin-doctoring and backroom blunders of the Labour Party convention where British Prime […]
Small and medium business: engine for Canadian economy: it’s time Paul Martin step forward for small and medium enterprises and the economy
The numbers show that the growth and prosperity of small and medium businesses is critical to the Canadian economy and job creation. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) provide employment for approximately 60 per cent of Canadians, create the bulk of new jobs and account for almost 50 per cent of Canada’s GDP. It is incumbent […]
It’s important we grasp NATO’s importance now: NATO is and will remain the cornerstone of the defence of its members
LONDON, ENGLAND–Defence Ministers usually observe or receive reports on exercises from a distance, but sometimes it is good to be put to the test ourselves. This week, John McCallum and I will attend the NATO Defence Ministers meeting in Colorado, we will take part in a study seminar aimed at helping us understand how well […]
