Singh looks to defend Quebec seats in weeklong tour across province
As federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh continues his tour across Quebec, where he’ll be defending the party’s remaining foothold in the province, pollsters say he should tread carefully when confronted with questions about the contentious secularism bill recently passed. Mr. Singh, who began his week in Montreal, has been hitting key ridings in cities, including […]
Federal parties are racing against time and losing
OAKVILLE, ONT.—Canada’s three main federal political parties have all managed to squander one of their most valuable resources—time. And yes, time is a resource, one that’s just as valuable as other political resources—money, organizational support, good candidates— if not more so. After all, it takes time to raise money, it takes time to raise awareness […]
Politicians fiddle while Rome burns
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has declared there’s a climate emergency, but also approved the Trans Mountain pipeline. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, who is promising green technology, and not taxes, to bring down greenhouse gas emissions, is against clean fuel standards and the carbon tax. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, who launched a constitutional challenge last month of […]
Federal government’s efforts to rein in climate change fall short, with expectations highest in Quebec, poll suggests
The Trudeau government’s response to climate change is falling short of many Canadians’ expectations, a new national poll suggests. But that doesn’t necessarily mean people are willing to bear the costs of aggressive targets and policies designed to reduce fossil-fuel dependency, said Lorne Bozinoff, president of Forum Research. Forum Research’s survey suggested that 63 per […]
Bills C-48, C-69 seen as ‘direct attack on Alberta and the energy sector,’ linked to rising alienation, say Conservative MPs
The passage of bills C-48 and C-69 are exacerbating rising sentiments of alienation in Alberta and Saskatchewan, say some Alberta Conservative MPs and experts. Since the two bills were passed in a marathon voting session on June 21 in the House, the bills have together become a “flashpoint” for existing anger that Ottawa is not […]
Here’s a truth about democracy
TORONTO—Here is a truth about democracy. When faith in our judicial system is lost—and when the reputation of those who preside over it is similarly gone—we start to become much less of a democracy. We start sliding downward, inexorably, towards something else. Something diminished. Something dangerous. Recent events in New Brunswick have reminded us of […]
Here’s a thought: why not just forbid ad hominem, anywhere?
Re: ” ‘Embarrassing,’ ‘bullying’ social media posts prompt some Senators to push for policies governing how Senators, staff use the platforms,” (The Hill Times, June 19, p. 1). In theory, Senators are supposed to be the adults in the room. But, for at least a decade, Canadians have witnessed disgraceful, and embarrassingly juvenile, ad hominem […]
Dealing with climate change is ultimately a moral responsibility
TORONTO—We were promised a climate action plan that would be more effective than that of the Trudeau government, a plan that would meet Canada’s greenhouse gas emission targets for 2030, and a plan that would be cheaper. Instead, we got a big zero. Andrew Scheer’s long-awaited climate plan turned out to be long on wishful […]
Global warming followers may be flummoxed by party positions on climate change action plans
OTTAWA—Global warming followers may be flummoxed by the differences in party positions on climate change action plans. Andrew Scheer’s announcement last week was long on photos and short on specifics. He characterized his plan as the most anticipated policy announcement of an opposition leader in the history of the country. Scheer framed his work in […]
Managing economic tightrope a make-or-break factor for October
OTTAWA—Embroiled in an uncertain Ontario election campaign back in 2011, then-premier Dalton McGuinty observed: “The polls tell us I’m not the most popular guy in the country. I accept that.” But McGuinty went on to win that election by keeping the focus on the Liberals’ commitment to a moderately activist role in promoting economic growth […]
