Enough is enough: Hockey Canada scandals another reminder big changes needed to end sexual violence
Once again, Canada’s lack of leadership in combating sexual violence and harassment has taken centre stage. This time, it comes with shocking revelations involving Hockey Canada. Reports confirm the iconic organization had become so ensnared in a culture of sexual misconduct that it created a slush fund to settle claims of wrongdoing. Despite scandal after scandal, there […]
Liberal House leader accuses Conservatives of obstruction tactics ‘without purpose,’ Opposition House leader hits back
During a legislative session unfolding in the midst of an ongoing pandemic, the ‘Freedom Convoy’ making landfall just metres outside of West Block, and a particularly rancorous Conservative Party leadership race, 14 government bills ultimately received Royal Assent during the first session of the 44th Parliament, which sat from Nov. 22 to June 23. But […]
‘Anti-Trudeau’ movement ‘only just starting to be felt and understood politically’ despite muted Canada Day presence, say strategists, experts
In comparison to the “Freedom Convoy” that descended on Ottawa at the beginning of the year, those who marched through the nation’s capital on Canada Day were met immediately with a heavy police presence in a relatively muted atmosphere. But also unlike the events of January and February, those who demonstrated in Ottawa this time […]
Tempers flared in final days of Parliament due to ‘Freedom Convoy’ support and ‘pent up demand’ to keep government accountable, say MPs and politicos
Tempers ran hotter than usual as the last parliamentary session abruptly came to a close for the summer break on June 23, indicating a heightened sense of tension in Canadian politics, say some MPs and political observers. Green Party parliamentary leader Elizabeth May (Saanich-Gulf Islands, B.C.) said a more combative U.S.-style political discourse has crept […]
Policing the precinct requires a principled plan
For the second time in a decade, Parliamentarians are examining security following a “traumatic” incident that impaired the normal functioning of Parliament. In 2015, following the previous year’s intrusion of an armed assailant into Centre Block—and the confusion of interoperability of security personnel and the RCMP on Parliament Hill—the Parliamentary Protective Service (PPS) was created […]
‘This can never happen again’: downtown residents launch Ottawa People’s Commission to address failures to keep community safe during convoy protests
Ottawa residents have launched a citizen-led commission into the so-called “Freedom Convoy”—which turned into an occupation of the nation’s capital downtown core for nearly a month in February—to hear the voices of those who lived through it. The Ottawa People’s Commission on the Convoy Occupation was launched on June 27 in the Ottawa Public Library’s […]
‘Never been afraid to punch above our weight’: set to retire this fall, Peter Van Dusen reflects on 21 years at CPAC
The face of CPAC for more than 20 years, anchor and executive producer Peter Van Dusen has announced he will be retiring this fall. “When I was hired, CPAC pretty much just covered the proceedings in the House of Commons,” said Van Dusen in a lengthy interview with The Hill Times. Looking to put together […]
On, then off, then on once again: Conservative leadership contenders set to debate in Calgary
Mark your calendars, it’s now official. The Western Standard is set to host a debate between (most) of the candidates vying for the Conservative Party’s top job on July 8, the first Friday of the all-important Conservative campaign trail destination: the Calgary Stampede. Originally scheduled for July 9, the Alberta-based independent media outlet decided to […]
‘We will have another situation at some point’: politicians, experts eye fix to ‘disturbing’ security trends
National security experts, including the former national security and intelligence adviser to the prime minister, say increasing threats to politicians are “reflective, unfortunately, of the society we live in where we’ve seen this growing polarization.” “This is not something new, what we’ve been seeing over the last three or four months,” said Vincent Rigby, who […]
‘An idea whose time has come’: expand Hill precinct, says Fergus
Parliamentarians have an opportunity to make the Parliamentary Precinct safer by securing the area from those who would “sow chaos” and expanding the area under the jurisdiction of police who protect the Hill, while still retaining public access, says Liberal MP Greg Fergus. “It’s a reality that we have to face up to, that sometimes […]
