Stop letting the system assault victims of sexual violence over and over
Sexual assault is one of the worst experiences any woman can face. It rightfully attracts strong opprobrium on the part of society. So why are victims often hit by a second assault in the form of avoidable emotional harm inflicted by the officials and institutions they trust when they reach out for help? That question […]
Build new fighter jets in Canada, says NDP MP Garrison, as feds look for economically attractive bids
After Public Services and Procurement Canada launched its request for bids for 88 advanced fighter jets on July 23, the NDP defence critic says he’d like to see the winning bidder build the jets here in Canada. “We’re going to spend $19-billion, we should get the jets we need for the Canadian Air Force, but […]
Waiting until a hard Brexit comes with risk for Canadian trade, say observers
As exploratory trade talks between Canada and Britain have hit a pause, there is some concern that a lack of preparation for a new trade pact could lead to trade instability as Britain heads for a hard Brexit, say a trade expert and an opposition critic. Canada entered into exploratory discussions with the United Kingdom […]
First Nations vote ‘a force’ parties must reckon with, leaders say
The climate crisis, the Missing and Murdered Women and Girls Inquiry report’s calls for justice, and self-governance are just some of the issues that First Nations leaders say they’re trying to get on party platforms as they point to the power of the growing population’s vote. Parties need to be aware that First Nations are […]
World Trade Organization should abolish fisheries subsidies, stop crisis
The world’s fisheries are in a crisis, but there is a way forward, says one of Canada’s leading experts, Daniel Pauly, author of the recently released book, Vanishing Fish: Shifting Baselines and the Future of Global Fisheries. Prof. Pauly, who teaches at the University of British Columbia and directs the Sea Around Us, an initiative focused […]
‘We didn’t get the job done’: Liberals poised to break promise on corporate ombudsperson, say observers
After four years of repeating its promise to create a corporate ombudsperson with teeth, the federal Liberal government appears ready to reverse itself and drop the matter as it prepares for the fall election, say observers close to the issue in Ottawa. “It’s very disappointing that the government backed away at the last minute. And […]
For the love of loons: it’s time to stand up for biodiversity
OTTAWA—From the haunting call of a loon on a remote lake, to whales breaching along the longest coastline in the world, natural landscapes and abundant wildlife are fundamental to Canada’s national identity. But the science is clear: the environment is in trouble. As Canadians head to the polls this October, it’s never been more important […]
Informal language rules okay for top court judges, Lametti says as Justice Committee probes latest Supreme Court pick
Legally enshrining the need for potential Supreme Court of Canada justices to be bilingual isn’t necessary, Justice Minister David Lametti told a House of Commons committee July 25, as it convened for a special hearing on the prime minister’s newest pick for the country’s top court. In response to a question posed by Liberal MP […]
Canadians deserve more than a white-bread response to racism
OTTAWA—“That’s not how we do things in Canada.” Are you sure about that? This was the statement our racially unsavvy prime minister gave to reporters in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s statements telling four congresswomen to “go back to where they came from,” and it’s very Canadian. So too is Bill 21, Quebec’s […]
There are no easy labels in the Omar Khadr saga
OTTAWA—There is continued debate about how and why the widow of a U.S. soldier killed in Afghanistan could lay claim to the $10.5-million payout, which was awarded to Omar Khadr. This discussion always sets social media platforms abuzz with the usual hate frenzy aimed at Khadr. The online arguments are heavy on emotion, but often […]
