Justin’s got a juggernaut, but he’s not taking anything for granted in federal Liberal leadership campaign, say Trudeau backers
PARLIAMENT HILL—Liberal Party news that nearly 300,000 voting age Canadians have signed up to cast ballots in the party’s April 14 leadership election, with half recruited by leadership candidate Justin Trudeau’s army of volunteers, was sobering for the other candidates on Wednesday, even though Mr. Trudeau’s supporters on Parliament Hill warned against taking anything […]
Trudeau has federal Liberal leadership locked up, say Grit MPs, ‘people want to see a leader they believe in’
PARLIAMENT HILL—Justin Trudeau has the federal Liberal leadership race virtually locked up after rounding up the lion’s share of a new class of Liberal supporters who will be eligible to vote in the leadership election without actually joining the party, Liberal MPs say. The party is in the midst of verifying the names and identities […]
Why I’m not falling for Liberal promises to legalize cannabis
OTTAWA—Recently, the leadership candidates for the Liberal Party of Canada have promised varying versions of cannabis “legalization” if their party returns to power. Some are calling the party’s new position on cannabis law reform “bold.” I would agree, if this were 1973. True, hearing a national party actually talk about legalization is a step […]
Liberal debates are dull, but good for democracy
OAKVILLE, ONT.—You have to hand it to the federal Liberals. Yes, they may be languishing in third place and, yes, their days of glory may be far behind them, but when it comes to dreaming up creative and imaginative debate formats the Liberals are second to none. We’ve certainly seen their mastery in this department […]
Will the Liberals learn from their recent history?
OTTAWA—In April, the Liberal Party of Canada will choose a new leader. What they require is a person with sound political judgment who can persuade the party to unite behind strategies that effectively challenge the government. The vital necessity of choosing such a leader is illustrated by the Liberals’ inability to seize a golden […]
The danger in underestimating Trudeau
OTTAWA—The boxing analogy has probably been overused by now, but the last time Justin Trudeau was dismissed as a lightweight did not end very well for his opponent. There is a strong possibility that his critics will be surprised again. It seems inevitable that Justin Trudeau will win the Liberal leadership race in April, and […]
Candidates’ campaign meet-and-greet events new barometer for federal Liberal leadership strength
PARLIAMENT HILL—A new barometer for federal Liberal leadership contenders has emerged, aside from the sobering prospect the field of candidates faced when they saw Justin Trudeau’s daunting lead in financial donations last month. The new indicator, candidate campaign greet-and-meet events, as the contest heads into its final two months, appears to be dividing the pack […]
Gender parity worsening in Canada
The arrival of Premier Kathleen Wynne at Queen’s Park begs the question. What is happening in Ottawa? With women governing in six Canadian provinces, the road to the prime minister’s chair should not be too far away. Or is it? When we cast our eyes to the nation’s capital, there is no dauphine-in-waiting from […]
Now’s not the time to jump into ‘constitutional upheaval’ over Senate, says Trudeau
PARLIAMENT HILL—The crisis now gripping the Senate over allegations of false residency claims and the temporary expulsion of newly-Independent Quebec Senator Patrick Brazeau is no time to jump into radical changes that would spark “constitutional upheaval,” Liberal MP Justin Trudeau says. Mr. Trudeau singled out Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) recent decision to […]
Why Liberal money loves Trudeau
OAKVILLE, ONT.—If money is a proxy for votes, then Liberal leadership candidate Justin Trudeau might as well start planning his victory speech. Indeed, it seems Liberal money is “voting” overwhelmingly for Team Trudeau. Just consider the facts: in the fourth quarter of 2012, the Liberal Party reports Trudeau took in a whopping $673, 000 […]
