‘It’s getting worse, we’re going backwards’: Ontario MPs say constituents confused, frustrated, angry with vaccine supply issues, and partisan ‘finger-pointing’ as COVID cases skyrocket
Canada’s most populous province is facing an increasingly uphill battle in reining in the pandemic with new cases of COVID-19 hitting all-time highs last week, intensive-care units stretched to capacity, and what a number of Ontario MPs describe as confusion, frustration, and anger with the vaccine rollout among their constituents. Ontario recorded 4,250 new COVID-19 […]
The ‘natural order of things’ is ruining it for the rest of us
OTTAWA—Who put white men in charge? Oh yes, patriarchy (by way of white supremacy). White men are screwing up and their responses to the pandemic are examples of how Canada’s socioeconomic, patriarchal framework ensures that white men end up in leadership positions without the requisite merit the rest of us are subject to. The illusion […]
Political figures share stories of Prince Philip, Ottawa commemoration set for April 17
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, died April 9 at the age of 99. Canadian political figures were quick to express their condolences and to share their own stories of personal interactions with him. One such person was Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who recalled sitting at the prince’s table during an informal barbecue at Rideau […]
This time, can we skip the fear-mongering?
I have worked in First Nations government and leadership for more than three decades. In that time, I have heard countless predictions of economic catastrophe at even a hint of progress toward recognizing and upholding First Nations’ rights. The fact that these predications never come true doesn’t prevent them from being recycled on a regular […]
Finding proper leadership is only a matter of time
OTTAWA—The repetitious routine that has become the pandemic norm gives one the false sense that society has been put on hold. However, one need only contrast where we were just four months ago to get a sense of how quickly public sentiment can change. Back in late November 2020, after more than eight months of […]
Reforms needed at Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, say activists
Canada’s nuclear regulatory agency, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission says it’s the “World’s best nuclear regulator” on its website. That “self-image” of the CNSC’s is inconsistent with statements made in recent years by international peer reviewers, high-ranking Canadian officials, international nuclear proponents and others. The International Atomic Energy Agency recently reviewed Canada’s nuclear safety framework. It identified numerous […]
Why you should care about the Yukon election
On March 12, Premier Sandy Silver, Leader of the Liberal Party, dissolved the Legislative Assembly and sent Yukoners to the polls with eight months still left in his five-year mandate. Though the election could result in the loss of one of the last Liberal premiers in the federation, it could also foreshadow broader political forces […]
‘It’s about time we started to push back’: Conservative Alberta MPs support beleaguered energy war room
Despite a string of controversies since its December 2019 launch, Conservative Alberta MPs say the province’s energy war room is an important support and voice for the energy sector. The Canadian Energy Centre’s website describes its mandate as being in place “to promote Canada as a supplier of choice for the world’s growing demand for […]
Chaotic management of the pandemic is bringing government into disrepute
OTTAWA—The COVID-19 pandemic is enough to give a semanticist fits. As provincial government consultants have gone into overdrive to coin phrases for measures to reduce caseloads, the public is increasingly confused and restive. “Lockdown, shutdown, moveable curfews, circuit breakers, emergency brake”—the lexicon is becoming meaningless. As are the measures themselves. In Ontario’s “emergency brake,” some […]
Ford’s critiques of federal vaccine procurement rebutted by Minister Anand
In response to a condemnation of vaccine procurement by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Public Services and Procurement Minister Anita Anand fired back. Mr. Ford called the current vaccine acquirement efforts “a joke” on March 26, pointing to federal procurement processes as the root cause of shortages at the municipal level. He further said they lack […]
