Liberals played Omar Khadr story pretty well
OTTAWA—The news that Omar Khadr received $10.5-million and an apology from the government of Canada has left many with a sick feeling in their stomachs. Regardless of the fact that the rule of law, based on a previous Supreme Court decision, was with Khadr, it still seemed wrong on an emotional and common-sense level that […]
‘Some people just can’t leave the campaign behind’: O’Toole rips libertarian website run by Bernier supporters
Conservative MP and former leadership candidate Erin O’Toole has harsh words for a new pro-libertarian organization started by a former aide to Maxime Bernier, calling it a continuation of Mr. Bernier’s campaign for the Conservative Party leadership even after that race wrapped with a victory for Andrew Scheer in May. “All campaigns need to step […]
U.S. soldier’s family not entitled to $134-million from Khadr
OTTAWA—The Liberal government certainly stirred up a flurry of emotion with last week’s announcement that Canada will pay out a whopping $10.5-million in compensation to Omar Khadr. Those who are firmly in the anti-Khadr camp howled with indignity that this payout is in essence a reward for a terrorist. To back up their argument they point […]
A divided world: G19 + 1
The normally dull and technical G20, chaired this year by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, rolled out in Hamburg Friday to the familiar noise of smoke grenades and water cannons at a major anti-globalization street protest. Chancellor Merkel found herself the reluctant de facto leader of the Western world, given the continuing flawed performance of United […]
Retirement reflections on 20 years in government
OTTAWA—Retirement. It is a word that strikes fear in the hearts of many, and conjures up notions of being put out to pasture. For those in the public service, it is the new reality, especially among the boomers who joined government in the 1970s and ‘80s. For me, it is a return to the status […]
Meet NDP MP Don Davies, the MP with the most private members’ bills introduced in the House and zero chance of passing one
PARLIAMENT HILL—NDP MP Don Davies has so far tabled 16 private members’ bills in this Parliament, the most of any MP in the House. It’s a title he’s defending from the last Parliament too, but right now he has about zero chance of advancing any one of them in this Parliament. And that’s just fine […]
Libs and Conservatives have thwarted any chance to change electoral system
VANCOUVER—It’s been suggested that Kevin O’Leary could run again in 2019 and thump Justin Trudeau. Not so incredible when you consider what happened in the 50 states due south last fall. But this threat hangs over us as millions of Canadians just don’t vote. Well, what’s the point? The Liberal government, now nearly two years […]
Birthday hangover still has Ottawa buzzing
OTTAWA—Thank goodness the sesquicentennial only happens every 150 years. Nobody can pronounce it anyway, and the birthday hangover still has Ottawa buzzing. A half million people descended on the capital to join in the Canada Day party and it was a blast. Contrary to media reports about the downsized crowd, there were about 100,000 waiting […]
It’s actually Happy 482nd Birthday, Canada
MONTREAL—While Canadians celebrated the 150th birthday of their federation on July 1, Quebecers found it difficult to commemorate with the same enthusiasm as their compatriots from the rest of the country. Indeed, because Quebec has not yet signed the Constitution, one must realize that the Quebec nation is still not officially part of a federation […]
Why Albertans won’t let Trudeau’s slip, slip by
TORONTO—So, the Alberta mistake. Also, the braying and screeching. Even The Washington Post has (amusingly) taken note. The Washington Post! The hullaballoo—the ceaseless braying and screeching—has prompted me to declare: I’m an Albertan. Alberta’s home. My family has lived there for decades. Hell, I’m heading back there to teach at the University of Calgary’s law school […]
