Anand named most valuable politician, climate change voted most important issue in The Hill Times’ 23rd Annual All Politics Poll
Long story short, the 2021 Canadian political landscape was like no other in recent memory, and The Hill Times partnered once again with Forum Research Inc. for The Hill Times’ All Politics Poll survey to get a better sense for the issues of the day, the people in power. Some 82 people responded to this […]
Defending democracy and confronting aggressors
OTTAWA—Very few in Canada would argue with a recent Globe and Mail editorial that, “It’s never a bad time to fight for democracy.” Democracy, even among some of our so-called NATO allies, is hanging by a thread. It must be vigorously defended. An important question not addressed by the editorial is: “What does it mean […]
Trudeau, not Anand, should have delivered military misconduct apology
OTTAWA—Is there a rule that I don’t know about where women of colour are required to clean up messes that white men make? Is there a secret meeting of whiteness at hockey games? Is Tim Horton’s a sponsor? In another iteration of the ongoing saga that is sexual harassment and assault in the Canadian Armed […]
Trudeau proves his feminist credentials with cabinet picks
OTTAWA—If ever in doubt, Justin Trudeau proved his feminist credentials in the crafting of his new cabinet. For the first time in the history of Canada, we have women in the majority of the top spots in government. From foreign affairs, to finance, from the deputy prime minister, to defence, the face of the government […]
The foreign policy challenges of the Trudeau government
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has chosen his team, following his third election victory. Although he heads a minority government, this time he is showing a willingness to change course, particularly on foreign and defence policy issues. Once again, Trudeau has banked on the diversity of his team, but has upped the ante by shuffling women […]
Anand’s promotion to defence minister sends a strong message feds want clean up sexual misconduct crisis, says Ottawa reader
I cannot but be proud of the election and the appointment to the cabinet of two Indo-Canadians: Anita Anand and Harjit Sajjan. I must lay my focus on the appointment of Ms. Anand; a rare thing for a woman to be appointed defence minister. By any cultural or military traditions, including in India, this is indeed […]
Time to drop the negative tropes about women in cabinet
Some observers were rightly suspicious about the performative quality of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 2015 pledge to have gender parity in his cabinet. While there was indeed a 50/50 split, it was noted in Mr. Trudeau’s first cabinet that men still held the “serious” posts: finance, Treasury Board, national defence, and foreign affairs. This sparked […]
‘Extremely well placed to succeed’: new Defence Minister Anand to take on deep-seated procurement issues, sexual misconduct crisis gripping top ranks of military
While Canada’s new Defence Minister Anita Anand has the right experience and leadership for the job, she will likely face difficulties in dealing with the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) entrenched problems of sexual misconduct and procurement delays, according to several politicos. “Certainly she’ll bring a great perspective and a great set of experiences to the […]
Cabinet chips have fallen, with symbolism in the settling
OTTAWA—So, how did you make out in that cabinet speculation game we played last week? Did you make enough money to retire? The cabinet was unveiled yesterday and here are some quick takes. Other than Chrystia Freeland, two of the big winners are Mélanie Joly and Steven Guilbeault. Joly is Canada’s new minister of foreign […]
Guilbeault, Joly to be under microscope in new posts; strong performers Duclos, Anand shuffled into most delicate files
The two most thorny files for the Liberal government will have new chiefs in Jean-Yves Duclos and Anita Anand, while all eyes will be on embattled cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault as he spearheads the environment file and Mélanie Joly as she become Canada’s latest top diplomat. The four cabinet ministers all were given new files […]
