Attack campaign on federal Grits spews ‘beer and popcorn’
It’s kind of like hockey. You want the puck to be in the other team’s zone because a good offence is the best defence, explained communications specialist Andre Lafrance. “The choice of the [Liberal] communications team, is to be that of a young party in an attack mode,”said Mr. Lafrance, a professor at Universite de […]
Canada could learn from Iraq elections: author O’Leary [The Future of Kurdistan in Iraq]
Canada stands to learn from the elections in Iraq to apply to its own democracy, explained author and political science professor Brandan O’Leary last week. Speaking at a reception launching his new book, The Future of Kurdistan in Iraq, he explained that Iraq’s mixed proportional representation system might even be more efficient than Canada’s since […]
The ying and the yang of association lobbyists: ‘When you’re everything, you’re nothing’
Every job has its upside and downside, including being an association lobbyist. “When you’re everything, you’re nothing.” These words, from a disillusioned association lobbyist, speak to one aspect of this job: lobbying on behalf of many diverse members. Often, this means the GR message is so broad it’s often ineffective. When they lobby, associations find […]
Leaders’ debates need transparent and accountable rules
Given their importance, setting the televised debates’ rules should not be left to the ratings-obsessed networks and the political parties who have the most at stake. In 1992, U.S. presidential candidate Ross Perot came out as the surprise winner of the televised presidential debate. Previously dismissed as an eccentric by most observers, Perot’s performance in […]
Politicians should think magnificence, do something noble: John Dalla Costa [Magnificence at Work: Living Faith in Business]
Internationally-renowned ethicist John Dalla Costa says politicians have to change the channel, take risks, and do the right thing. An internationally-renowned Canadian ethicist says the four white male political leaders are not resonating because they represent “an old Canada”and don’t represent what Canada’s future is becoming. Moreover, the decline in public trust in political institutions […]
Home for the election holidays
Think about this over the holidays. Hope. Magnificence. Vision. Leadership.You don’t often hear the word ‘magnificence’ associated with modern day Canadian politics, but John Dalla Costa, author of the recently-released Magnificence at Work: Living Faith in Business, and who was out doing national media interviews last week, says Canada is capable of magnificence if only […]
Were the beer and popcorn remarks found in Liberal talking points? Were they scripted? Apologies tumble out
Scott Reid and John Duffy are not stupid guys; they play hard and are respected for doing that. Knowing both of them, on the one hand, I have publicly exploited their comments but, on the other hand, I feel their pain. Of Popcorn and Beer: Gaffes Powers: Scott Reid and John Duffy screwed up last […]
Quebec byelections offer preview
Quebec Premier Jean Charest’s Liberal party held onto its traditional stronghold Montreal riding of Outremont in last week’s provincial by-elections, but it was soundly crushed in the predominantly francophone riding of Vercheres on the south shore. In Outremont, the Quebec Liberals saw a slight drop in their support, but held onto the riding with 49 […]
Martin fighting windmills like Don Quixote: PM is fending off phantom enemies from the outside and inside
He’s just not a strong and courageous leader. Prime Minister Paul Martin looks more like Don Quixote fighting windmills. If you’ve been listening to his latest rants, Canada is under attack from enemies on the inside and on the outside. But fortunately, Mr. Martin is touting himself as the White Knight ready to defend the […]
Fontaine works with Elections Canada to boost First Nations voter turnout
AFN Leader Phil Fontaine isn’t publicly endorsing the Liberals, but told The Hill Times he would prefer ‘to work with a government that’s committed to our issues.’ Assembly of First Nations Leader Phil Fontaine is working with Elections Canada to encourage First Nations citizens across Canada to vote in the election and says “they have […]
