Infrastructure
It’s time to ensure Indigenous representation in Canadian institutions
OTTAWA—There is nothing sacrosanct about governmental structures. They are no more “divine” than past rulers who sought celestial sanction. Canada’s structure of bilateral federalism, with the provinces and Ottawa having separate and overlapping sovereign powers, is a reflection of 19th century political compromises accommodating, if not uniting, diverse peoples. Its survival for more than 150 years […]
Let’s talk sovereignty: how Canada can help stop lingering colonial attitudes towards Indigenous peoples
OTTAWA—The value-laden words of truth, apology, reconciliation, compensation, and nation are all being used repeatedly in the national exchanges involving Indigenous peoples. Lurking in the background are the larger words of sovereignty, self-determination, self-government, and possibly, independence—words that must be acknowledged if we are to emerge from this period of introspection and fragmentary answers. In […]
Time to stop funding Catholic school boards
OTTAWA—The passage of Easter and Passover, the most important days on the Christian and Jewish calendars, has led me to contemplate the role of religion in Canadian public life. While Canadian politics has not been infected with the sort of right-wing evangelism experienced in the United States, we remain a country where church and state […]
Kathleen Wynne’s budget: ‘it’s free, so vote for me’
OTTAWA—Living in Ontario these days, it is hard not to feel the desperation of the governing provincial Liberals. Having been around politics for a long time, I have seen some pretty shameless pandering done in the interest of getting re-elected by all political parties, but the Ontario Liberals might be taking it to new levels. […]
The horror of free child care and other political crimes
CHELSEA, QUE.—She’s done it again. Free child care for pre-schoolers in Ontario! This cynical ploy follows a series of recent outrages: free drugs for seniors, a staged increase in the minimum wage to $15 an hour, expanded mental-health services, the largest increase in hospital spending in a decade, $300-million more for special needs education. Where […]
Cannabis bill a concern for Indigenous communities and ‘ripe for amendment’: Sen. Sinclair
The effect legal marijuana will have on historically “over-policed and under-resourced” Indigenous communities is cause for concern, according to Independent Senator Murray Sinclair, who is calling on the government to address gaps in services he said will be further strained by legalization. “Right now, Indigenous communities have a significant amount of drug problems without them […]
Ford could be next Ontario premier, he just has to keep his mouth closed for three months
OTTAWA—Doug Ford could well be the next premier of Ontario. He just has to keep his mouth shut for three months in order to pave the way for a victory in June. That could be more difficult than it appears. Just last week, Ford predicted he would win the biggest majority in the history of […]
Ford campaign team has ties to Bernier, Leitch, went all in on digital ads
New Ontario PC leader Doug Ford upended the party establishment through a campaign run by a small group with ties to the Ford family, as well as several high-profile federal Conservatives. The members of Mr. Ford’s PC leadership race team are still working with Mr. Ford, said Kory Teneycke, who led digital marketing for the […]
Ford threatens federal plans
The prospect that Doug Ford could be in charge of Canada’s largest province by July 1 is bad news for the three main federal leaders. For Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, it could mean the window of opportunity to execute some of his government’s signature policy missions is inexorably closing. Without a high degree of provincial […]
