Doug Ford didn’t ride in on a wave of populism
OTTAWA—On June 29, Doug Ford will officially become the premier of Ontario. Six months ago, he wasn’t even a candidate for provincial office. What an incredible political journey Ontario has just been through. Ford’s victory has sparked debates about many things as people try to process its bigger meaning. That is one thing that never […]
Trump’s attacks put Trudeau in tight spot
A field of ruins. In the wake of this weekend’s Trumpian tweet storm, that’s what is mostly left of the fragile structure Justin Trudeau had painstakingly built to try to preserve Canada’s most important trade relationship. The fact that the prime minister did not have a hand in the demolition, or that the collateral damage […]
Ford’s win won’t influence Quebec
Don’t expect Ford mania to seep into Quebec’s fall election campaign. The opposite is likely to happen. Rarely have Quebecers followed an Ontario campaign with as much fascination as the one that concluded with a Tory majority victory on Thursday. But that interest was based on a mix of incredulity and relief. Incredulity that a plurality […]
Ontario now ranks first in Canada for representation of women
During elections where the losses are as big as the wins, it’s easy to miss the obvious. This may be especially true in Ontario where, in this past Thursday’s election, the distinct desire for change was an overriding preoccupation. This intense thirst for change overrode multiple and conflicting concerns, including the relative inexperience and polarizing […]
Bloc Québécois’ division helping make Quebec most ‘critical’ battleground for 2019: Greg Lyle
Upheaval within the Bloc Québécois, and the emergence of the new Québec debout party from its defectors, are helping make Quebec a “critical” battleground for 2019, says pollster Greg Lyle, and the province presents the “most interesting dynamic in the next election right now.” “In the past, people said, ‘Well, we have to watch the […]
Four years of Ford: PCs win majority after turbulent race
Ontario voters chose to take a sharp turn to the right, choosing Doug Ford, the former Toronto city councillor who rose to recognition amid his late brother’s turbulent run as the city’s mayor, to lead Ontario with a majority mandate. That brings an end to 15 years of Liberal governments, in a race filled with head-spinning […]
Ontario voters face stark choice, but we’ll be OK
Ontarians are faced with a starkly simple choice Thursday. Do they want Tory leader Doug Ford to be their premier? Or do they want New Democrat Andrea Horwath? Those are the only options on offer. The province can survive either. By conceding that she can’t win, current Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has put herself out […]
Trans Mountain buy adds to Liberals’ betrayal of Indigenous voters, say activists, NDP
The backlash to the federal government’s decision to purchase Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline project could cost the Liberals in 2019, as some Indigenous, environmental, and youth activists gear up to respond to what they see as a broken attempt at reconciliation, say activists, opposition MPs, and observers. On May 29, Finance Minister Bill Morneau […]
Kinder Morgan deal reminds us we’re still hewers of wood, drawers of water
OTTAWA—I remember well the afternoon in 2010 at what used to be called the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade when our policy team was invited to listen to one of the so-called “geniuses” in the Asia division. He detailed a plan to export unprocessed bitumen to China and Japan for refining. The rationale […]
A chance at relevance for the Bloc
To the surprise of no one except herself, Bloc Québécois leader Martine Ouellet has lost her bid to remain at the helm of the federal sovereigntist party. On the weekend, two-thirds of the remaining BQ members showed her the door. The verdict could not have been clearer. Still, it took Ms. Ouellet almost 24 hours […]
