All politics is local: Ottawa bubble scandals not making a splash amid Newfoundland ferry furor
ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Yes, yes, you have read and heard about it many times before, but truly all politics is local. After spending the last week at home in Newfoundland and Labrador guest-hosting one of our province’s most-popular radio talk shows, VOCM’s Open Line, that maxim about local issues has been proven true again. National headlines […]
Referendum politics in Canada, Spain: no rules in a knife fight
OTTAWA—The fallout from the Oct. 1 referendum in Catalonia—the Spanish government’s decision to jail members of the Catalan cabinet and seek the arrest of leader Carles Puigdemont—is a vivid reminder that politics can be a blood sport, and that it does not have to be. As Canadians, we watch the turmoil in Spain and convince […]
Time for Ottawa to cry foul over Nova Scotia cap-and-trade proposal
Believe it or not, but the debate on carbon pricing in Canada has seen significant progress over the last two years. Putting a price on carbon pollution is a surefire way to reduce emissions, and also helps to ensure clean economic growth happens here at home. More than ever, it’s not just the usual suspects […]
Jason Kenney deserves applause for pulling off political feat
OTTAWA—Followers of politics, or even those who study organizational behaviour, can’t help but look at what Jason Kenney has just done in Alberta and be somewhat impressed. In what seems like a blink of an eye, but was actually a little under two years, the former cabinet minister to Stephen Harper left federal politics, returned […]
It’s ‘too inflammatory,’ federal Liberals tread carefully on Quebec’s niqab law, eyes on 2019 election
Quebec’s federal Liberal MPs are mostly sticking to the prime minister’s script when it comes to that province’s new law on religious face-coverings, signalling opposition to Bill 62 but holding off on criticism of the provincial Liberals that put it in place, or on any calls to walk back the legislation. Liberal MPs from that […]
Can political rivals find common ground after going on a date?
There’s a new TV show that could have Hill-goers binge-watching once it starts next month. Political Blind Dates premieres on Nov. 7 at 9 p.m. on TVO. A Toronto Star article compared it to Tinder for policymakers. The show’s website says each episode will bring together two politicians who have two very different points of view […]
Investing in the north is investing in Canada’s future
“Political equality cannot come without economic equality.” That’s a quote from a recent discussion paper on the Arctic Policy Framework entitled, We Are One Mind. Funded by the Gordon Foundation, We Are One Mind is the product of a collaborative effort by three northern youth groups—Dene Naho, based in the N.W.T.; Our Voices, primarily based […]
North embedded in Canadian psyche
Our friend, Sheila Watt-Cloutier, former chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, captured the spirit of the Arctic when she said the land, ice, and snow is a training ground for developing your sense of self and your character. You’re being taught patience, you’re being taught to be courageous and bold at the right time. We […]
After reports and consultations, Nunavut residents optimistic for change
Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to meet with constituents in each of the 25 communities in my riding. And although each community is special and unique, several thoughts and concerns voiced by Nunavummiut were similar in all communities. Two issues in particular were heard unanimously: the lack of mental health services […]
‘Lame’ government response to Indigenous youth suicide crisis report fails to address issues, say critics
Indigenous issues experts and an opposition critic are giving a thumbs down to the government’s long-awaited response to a report on the Indigenous youth suicide crisis, arguing it fails to take action on the report’s recommendations. Jack Hicks, an adjunct professor at the University of Saskatchewan who helped develop the Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy in […]
