Biden-Putin Arctic co-operation gives Canada an opportunity
When the American and Russian presidents met in June for their summit, the Arctic represented a rare point of common ground. Arctic watchers noted U.S. President Joe Biden’s intent that “the Arctic remains a region of cooperation,” and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s equally interesting desire for the Arctic to continue as “a zone of understanding.” […]
Saving lives beats vaccine liberty
When does personal freedom blind us to professional responsibility? When the health-care system permits unvaccinated workers in facilities housing vulnerable people. It is the state’s job, first and foremost, to protect those who are under its care in public hospitals or long-term communal living arrangements. The Quebec government understands that. Last April, it became the […]
Sharp-witted ISG Senator Keating remembered as a ‘relentless champion’ with an ‘insatiable intellect,’ sardonic sense of humour
Sharp, devoted, and extremely funny, Independent Senator Judith Keating is being remembered by her Red Chamber colleagues as a passionate advocate for New Brunswick. Throughout her life and after she was appointed to the Senate in January 2020, she advocated for women, people living in rural areas, access to medical health, and access to abortion […]
Still behind the curve on COVID all these months later
OTTAWA—What does the fact that Canada’s prime minister lives in a nondescript old house that was once the accommodation provided to the governor general’s administrative assistant have to do with our ongoing struggle with COVID-19? The PM’s plain brick residence in the backyard of the governor general’s abode—instead of the government shelling out the cash […]
Turning guilt into political dollars
OAKVILLE, ONT.—The Ontario Progressive Conservative Party wants me to feel guilty. Indeed, the party recently sent me an email solely for the purpose of making me feel bad about myself. Bearing the subject heading, “Gerry is this right?” the email opens up in bold letters with this accounting news: “Supporter: Gerry Nicholls – Total donated […]
ITK’s strategy to combat food insecurity crisis ‘a step along the way to a solution,’ says Obed
The high cost and inadequate supply of food have exposed Inuit people to a complex national public health crisis that needs to be addressed, according to a food security strategy released by the national Inuit organization. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) released the Inuit Nunangat Food Security Strategy (INFSS) on July 12, considered the first of […]
A dose of optimism—and realism—to decarbonize Alberta
An economically viable path to decarbonize Alberta’s oil and gas sector is starting to look much less like fantasy and a whole lot more feasible. Five recent announcements show that the pieces are coming together: plans for a new $1.3-billion net zero hydrogen plant in Edmonton; an announcement from Alberta Energy to facilitate creation of […]
Greenland takes front seat on Arctic Council on behalf of the Kingdom of Denmark
At a historic meeting on June 10, followed by a press conference between the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, and the leaders of the two other parts of the Kingdom of Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, the Danish PM came with a very clear message. For the first time, a Danish prime minister […]
Quebec’s anglophones have been cast adrift by the Trudeau government
KAMOURASKA, QUE.—It is tough being abandoned. On June 16, virtually the entire House of Commons dropped any historical commitment to the anglophone minority in Quebec, as it supported a Bloc Québécois motion recognizing Quebec’s “right” to unilaterally amend its provincial Constitution. This was effectively an endorsement of Quebec’s plans to enshrine French as its official […]
Ford takes the easy way out
OAKVILLE, ONT.—Maybe the official motto for Canada’s conservative political parties should be, “We Like to Take the Easy Way Out.” After all, it seems to me conservative politicians in this country prefer to avoid tough battles. Consider, for instance, how federal Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole recently performed an “if you can’t beat them join […]
