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 […]
Who wins next election depends on how much Canadians are willing to nurture the health of our ailing planet
OTTAWA—Timing is everything in politics. And the lifespan of a political trajectory is about six months. Bluntly put, if the cabinet exit by Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott had occurred this month, the Liberal election goose would have been cooked. The government would have had too little time to turn around negative public reaction to […]
Despite Greens’ rising popularity, NDP and Bloc more likely to hold balance of power in next House: pollster Lyle
Although the Green Party is recording historic highs in public opinion polls and has made recent gains in a byelection and some provincial elections, pollster Greg Lyle predicts the New Democrats and the Bloc will likely be more influential if a minority government is elected in October’s federal election. “We take it with a grain […]
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 […]
Forget cash-for-access, NDP needs cash-for-survival
There are many things to call the NDP, but it seems hypocrites—at least when it comes to fundraising—isn’t one of them. As Huffington Post Canada reported on July 8, New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh has only attended one fundraiser in which participants had to buy tickets to attend since the beginning of the year. The […]
Heading into October, gone are the halcyon days of the NDP ‘Orange Crush’
OTTAWA—One of the strangest things heading into the 2019 federal election is the lack of conversation surrounding the NDP. Not since the last days of Alexa McDonough have the New Democrats been such an afterthought in the public dialogue. Maybe that changes in October, but right now it feels like the NDP and their supporters […]
Pharmacare debate a symptom of chronic electoral grandstanding
OTTAWA—On June 12, an advisory council appointed by the Trudeau government recommended the establishment of a universal, single-payer public pharmacare system. When fully actualized in 2027, it is estimated it would cost $15-billion dollars per year. The council was led by Dr. Eric Hoskins, a former Ontario health minister. Hoskins is a well-respected physician and […]
Next election shaping up to be a much more contested affair than originally predicted
OTTAWA—In light of the recent code of conduct clarifications around registered lobbyists and political commentary, I have arrived at the conclusion that the risk level involved is inversely proportional to the actual value of the strategic advice that is being offered, essentially being wrong is the new being right. So, if giving bad advice is […]
The clock is ticking on tackling climate change
Eleven. That’s how many years we have left to get our act together before we reach the point of no return. As a father of four, it’s a fact that I’m reminded of every single day. How will future generations look back upon us? As a Member of Parliament, I feel twice as responsible. Humans […]
High profile, popularity in Wilson-Raybould and Philpott’s favour, but system is ‘unfairly stacked’ against Independents, says MP Bill Casey
Former Liberal cabinet ministers Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott are hoping to beat the odds as Independent candidates in the coming election, and observers say they have a few things working in their favour. Their high-profile stature could help them push back against the well-documented limitations to being elected and sitting as an Independent MP. […]
