Finding open ice: Canada’s future depends on batteries and critical minerals

Lithium, graphite, cobalt, phosphate and nickel are in demand, and this country’s scientists and engineers are world-class in battery innovation. These are areas where Canada can secure a key place in the future global economy, from the auto sector to defence.
Late report on 2024 finances ‘so outdated it’s useless,’ says Democracy Watch as most major parties ask for more time

The federal Conservative Party was one of only five registered parties to report its 2024 financial statement by the June 30 deadline, while the NDP and Liberal figures won’t be ready until the end of August.
Rumours of the death of the political long game have been greatly exaggerated

Just in the last week, we have seen three examples of a more-plodding type of politics, proving the old-school has some life in it still.
New Leaf Liberals want to root out Ontario Liberal shortcomings, not back a particular leader, says co-founder

The push to oust Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie in September is heating up as her supporters go on the offensive, accusing the still-budding New Leaf Liberals of colluding with Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith.
MPs have left Elections Canada high and dry

If the Longest Ballot Committee is exposing a vulnerability in our democratic system, then it’s a legitimate question to be examined. But it shouldn’t take politicians being personally inconvenienced to want to actually take real action on any issue.
Global Affairs Canada misconduct complaints have more than doubled since 2023

The department reported 120 ‘founded’ cases in 2024-25, of which 31 were for misconduct and inappropriate behaviour, nine for financial mismanagement, five for harassment and violence, and four personnel security violations.
PSPC sparks backlash as it eyes shift to ‘lowest-bid’ approach to Hill freelance interpretation assignments

The International Association of Conference Interpreters Canada wants to see PSPC’s proposed changes put ‘on ice until we have an opportunity to talk and sort this out,’ says spokesperson Nicole Gagnon.
Checking up on Health Minister Michel’s current 17-member team

For one, Sandenga Yeba has been named deputy chief of staff and director of policy to the first-time minister.
This just in: Alex Marland to release new book this fall, No I In Team: Party Loyalty in Canadian Politics, and it looks like another good one

Alex Marland has a new book coming out in October, No I In Team: Party Loyalty in Canadian Politics, published by the University of Toronto Press. Written by Marland, Jared J. Wesley, and Mireille Lalancette, it’s been in the work for years, Marland said on social media last week. “It’s packed with new research and […]
Musk versus Goliath

Musk’s America Party lacks a regional base, it doesn’t represent a defined demographic group, and its ideology is vague.
But new parties in the United States can sometimes make electoral waves if they become political vehicles for charismatic and powerful people. The jury’s still out on Musk’s America Party.