How to save the Canadian media industry from mass extinction
TORONTO—If current trends continue, Canada’s news media will not survive the COVID-19 recession. Even during the boom years of 2009-2019, nearly 300 Canadian outlets shut down and 16,000 journalists were laid off. But the good times, if you can call them that, are over. In the last two weeks, nearly 500 more journalists have been […]
Guilbeault announces support for media; Winnipeg Free Press publisher blasts feds, saying ‘no new support’ forthcoming
The federal government announced long-awaited support on March 25 for media organizations suffering significant losses of revenue, after news media organizations in Atlantic Canada and Quebec joined the long list of businesses laying off employees across Canada. Winnipeg Free Press Publisher Bob Cox, however, says the announcement contains “absolutely no new support whatsoever” for journalism. […]
Catherine McKenna offers virtual civics lesson for furloughed students
With Ontario’s children stuck at home following the provincial government’s school closures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna decided to sub in. Ms. McKenna hosted a 45-minute civics lesson on Facebook live last week. “I thought I would try do something different, which is, talk about being a Member of […]
The Hill braces for Covid-19
As Canada tries to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the Hill is also adjusting. Like many sports leagues across the world, the House of Commons has suspended until April 20, missing two sitting weeks. Access to the House and Senate is being limited to parliamentary personnel and to the Hill media. Tours are being […]
Stop downgrading the role of Parliament
TORONTO—Our democratic system is in trouble, with MPs seen as out of touch with public needs and ineffective in dealing with public problems. One reason for this is the downgrading of the role of Parliament itself and the diminished role of individual MPs in shaping legislation or holding governments accountable. If we want to restore […]
It’s time to stop using the ‘rule of law’ as a weapon against Indigenous peoples
Protests against the RCMP’s attempts to remove Wet’suwet’en traditional leadership from their homeland gained steam last week. First Nation and other allies set up blockades on railways, bridges and public buildings across Canada. As the civil disobedience grew and began to affect urban Canadians, many of whom found themselves inconvenienced in this way for the […]
In fast-moving political reality, Trudeau uses Incident Response Group to seek ‘quick resolutions’ to complex problems
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s ad hoc cabinet committee, the Incident Response Group, has regularly met in recent weeks to discuss and to quickly communicate the government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, Iran’s downing of the Ukrainian passenger flight, and ongoing rail blockades across the country. Ad hoc committees established by prime ministers to deal with […]
‘We needed something and someone to cheer for’: MPs honour David Ayres’ unthinkable win
After David Ayres‘ unlikely victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto-area MPs honoured the netminder’s Cinderella night. “David Ayres will not win the Vezina Trophy, but he captured the country’s imagination at a time when we needed something and someone to cheer for,” Conservative MP John Brassard said in the House on Feb. 24. Mr. […]
‘Concise, original, well informed, and fearless’: Craig Oliver’s prolific life in journalism
He’s known half of Canada’s prime ministers, covered every Canadian election since 1957, and spent nearly a decade in Washington, but Craig Oliver remains remarkably humble for someone who’s borne witness to the peaks of power for so many years. But for someone who’s quite literally seen it all—from rancorous leadership and election campaigns, to […]
Raptors boss Masai Ujiri joins Trudeau on Africa trip
The president of the defending NBA champions has joined the Canadian prime minister for a trip to Africa where Justin Trudeau hopes to win votes in Canada’s bid for a temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council. The Toronto Raptors’ Masai Ujiri joined Mr. Trudeau on Can Force One as it headed from Ottawa […]
