Canada supports rapid accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO, but experts say it needs to improve its Arctic defences
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly repeated again on Monday that Canada will push for the quick accession of Sweden and Finland to join NATO after Russia’s invasion and bombing of Ukraine and says she consulted with the Conservative, NDP, and Bloc Québécois foreign affairs critics to gain unanimous House consent for the decision. “Canada is […]
Federal ministers, MPs, and staff working on high-stakes Ontario election
Cabinet ministers, backbench MPs, exempt ministerial staffers and MP office staffers from all parties are helping out Ontario provincial candidates in the high-stakes June 2 election. “I’ve been helping my local candidate, Dr. Adil Shamji—who is an emergency room doctor, incredible candidate—knock[ing] on doors with him on the weekend,” said Liberal MP Michael Coteau (Don […]
Why do Conservatives hate public television?
At the Tory leadership debate in Edmonton last Wednesday, the mere mention of the word CBC elicited boos. Loud shouts and hisses were quickly muffled by the microphones as the format for the event prohibited anyone from clapping, cheering, or booing. The format also prevented anyone from mentioning another politician’s name. When that happened, the […]
Ontario election will be a test on how upset Canadians are with incumbents and affordability issues, say some MPs and Nanos
The June 2 Ontario provincial election will be a case study for how upset Canadians are with incumbent politicians about inflation and affordability issues, like soaring food prices, gas prices, and skyrocketing housing prices, say some MPs and a veteran pollster. “We’re in the heat of a provincial election in Canada’s largest province,” said Nik […]
Get used to it, Monsieur Legault: English is the international language
KAMOURASKA, QUE.—April 23 came and went without much fanfare this year, as it always does. If you had forgotten, it was St. George’s Day. It is odd no one notices, the given the chauvinism for other patron saints. On St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) everyone is Irish. St. Andrew’s Day (Nov. 30) is an opportunity […]
Let’s make sure we get Canada’s critical minerals strategy right
Given the context of this year’s federal budget—surging energy prices, post-COVID economic stabilization, and a war in Europe—the Government of Canada was understandably more focused than perhaps in any of the Trudeau government’s previous budgets. It was not Christmas morning with a bauble for everyone. It was a disciplined and focused approach to the challenges […]
‘Inuit culture and traditions are not for sale’: why the government should not approve Baffinland expansion
POND INLET, NUNAVUT—I’m a hunter from Pond Inlet, Nunavut. My father is also a hunter and I grew up helping him, harvesting subsistence food. The hunters in our community are providers—they share their catch by going through radio or Facebook, asking if people want country food. Called the “Jewel of the North,” our Baffin Island […]
Guy Lafleur’s death has united Quebecers in grief
KAMOURASKA, QUE.—Steve Shutt summed up his teammate Guy Lafleur in an interview with Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette: “He didn’t put himself above everybody else. He was just one of the guys.” That certainly was my impression, having followed Lafleur’s career. I had been at the Forum in the fall of 1971 when “Flower” […]
Northerners think feds are ‘out of touch’ with the North, data suggests
Northerners say the federal government is “out of touch” with the North, does not meet their needs, and does not fairly represent them, according to a convenience sample study conducted by the Angus Reid Forum. The data, while anecdotal in nature, offers a glimpse into the frustrations and issues facing those living in Canada’s territories, […]
The advent of Fordism
OAKVILLE, ONT.—Thomas Huxley once said, “The results of political changes are hardly ever those which their friends hope or their foes fear.” Those words, I think, aptly describe the political changes which have taken place in Ontario since Premier Doug Ford ascended to power four years ago. Basically, Ford hasn’t been the premier many of […]
