French is an asset to Ontario, the bigots be damned
OTTAWA—It has been a long couple of weeks for Franco-Ontarians and their supporters. It began with the announcement by Premier Doug Ford that the French language services commissioner would be eliminated and plans for a French-language university would be scrapped, both as cost-saving measures. Considering the Ontario government inherited a deficit from the Wynne Liberals […]
Better to help improve than shun a company trying to recover after CSR challenges
Anyone listening to the news knows we live in a climate of high expectations. Corporations, governments, financial institutions, and companies of all sizes are under the microscope in terms of whether they conduct business in a responsible way. Where once corporate social responsibility (CSR) was a nice-to-have, it’s now an imperative. However, responsible business practices […]
Fighter jet debacle shows disconnect between military needs, political decisions
OTTAWA—There was a lot of buzz last week following the release of the auditor general’s fall reports. Of note was his conclusion about the state of the Royal Canadian Air Force. He highlighted that there is a chronic shortage of pilots and technicians, and the advanced age of our CF-18 combat planes will soon render […]
Budget bill will reduce government accountability for Canadian foreign aid
To help ensure that Canadian foreign aid is spent on supporting people in need in developing countries, rather than things like white elephants and Canadian commercial interests, Canada has legislation that mandates a focus on poverty reduction. The legislation also seeks to ensure that the government takes into account the perspectives of poor people and […]
Senators push back on Liberal plan to expand voting rights for Canadians abroad
As Senators begin their committee study of the Liberals’ elections bill, some don’t seem convinced that opening up voting rights to more Canadian citizens living abroad is the right move. Democratic Institutions Minister Karina Gould (Burlington, Ont.) and various officials—including elections commissioner Yves Côté—faced a barrage of questions last week from Senators on the Upper […]
From the love of power to the power of love
Can religions play a role in strengthening the political will of governments to stop violence and wars, which continue to scar humanity? Or should religions, the cause of so much conflict in the past, stay out of government affairs today? Two of Canada’s leading political figures, former Progressive Conservative prime minister Kim Campbell and former […]
Canada and space security diplomacy: getting back into the game
There was a time when Canada was known for its activism on space security issues in the international arena. As an early adopter of satellite technology, Canada appreciated the importance of preserving a safe and secure operating environment in outer space. This acknowledged interest was reflected in Canada’s diplomacy. Among the measures that prime minister […]
Federal government will stand ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with space, aerospace industries: Lametti
Every so often as a politician, there are moments when something brings perspective to the work you do. For me, one of those moments was at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom. I remember recalling just how influential Canada’s aerospace and space industries are on the global stage. This was especially true […]
AIAC to launch stakeholder meetings in December to look at future of Canada’s aerospace industry
The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) will soon begin industry consultations on a long-term plan for the future of Canada’s space, aviation, and defence industries, which it says is in decline. Vision 2025 was launched by AIAC in October to consult the aerospace industry and the government on a future vision for Canadian aerospace. […]
The world needs renewed B.C. climate leadership
VANCOUVER—Twelve years—that’s how little time we have to take serious action to protect our climate. If we fail to act now, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts catastrophic consequences, such as increasingly extreme weather, lower crop yields, declining fisheries, and higher rates of poverty. The findings of last month’s IPCC special report are […]
