Disputes over Taiwan’s status remain greatest threat to world peace, not war in Ukraine
TORONTO—Disputes over the status of Taiwan, not the war in Ukraine, remain the greatest threat to world peace today. The Taiwan Strait has been called the most dangerous place on Earth. Any one of the ongoing U.S. provocations, or Chinese aggressiveness in defending its interests, or the current Taiwan government’s reckless pursuit of independence could […]
As Liberals’ support drops, Grit MPs to hold caucus retreat next month in New Brunswick to talk strategy
With the backdrop of the Trudeau government’s waning support in the public opinion polls and the NDP threatening to withdraw support under the supply-and-confidence agreement, the 158-member national Liberal caucus will congregate in New Brunswick next month to plot strategy for the fall sitting of Parliament, say Liberal MPs. It will be the first in-person […]
If Poilievre wins leadership, but fails to pivot to the centre, Quebec Tory MP Godin says he will ‘reflect’ on his own ‘future political life’
The Conservative Party will elect a new leader on Sept. 10, but already one Quebec Conservative MP is warning that the results could cause him to re-evaluate his future with the party. The unity of the Conservative Party after the leadership election will depend largely on the direction the new leader decides to take, says […]
How to deal with bad polls
OAKVILLE, ONT.—When it comes to dealing with bad polls, today’s politicians could learn a thing or two from a Roman Emperor who lived about 2,000 years ago. I’m talking about Marcus Aurelius, a famed stoic, who once said, “If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but […]
Staffing updates for Treasury Board President Mona Fortier
It’s been a while since Hill Climbers checked in on Treasury Board President Mona Fortier’s team, and there are a number of staff developments to note, including the departure of senior policy adviser Casey Richardson in late May. Richardson came from Fortier’s old associate finance and middle class prosperity team, having first begun working for […]
Influx of women into nuclear disarmament gives us hope, unless they work for a NATO country
EDMONTON—At 10 a.m. on Aug. 4, the fourth day of the month-long Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference, Canadian Ambassador Leslie Norton stepped to the green marble podium of the UN General Assembly in New York and delivered a speech on behalf of 67 nations. A maple leaf broach emblazoned on her jacket, the ambassador called […]
Trump’s Canadian proxy catches a wave
OTTAWA—In the last Conservative debate on Aug. 3, Jean Charest looked like a guy who took the wrong bus to a part of town he didn’t want to set foot in. It was the last best chance for the former Quebec premier, who must have thought he was making an important contribution to the leadership […]
Chinese ambassador warns Canada against crossing ‘red line’ on Taiwan, urges to ‘draw the lessons’ from the past
After Canada’s condemnation of China’s escalatory response to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to Taiwan, Beijing’s top diplomat in Ottawa is casting a threat that crossing China will be met with consequences. Pelosi, the top American lawmaker in Congress’ lower chamber, visited Taiwan on Aug. 2 and 3, which was followed by Chinese […]
‘Textbook, hot-button politics’ behind Conservative leadership contenders’ attacks on international organizations, say strategists
Following Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre’s impressive second quarter fundraising haul, experts say it’s “obvious” that attacking international institutions like the World Economic Forum and the World Health Organization gets traction among a “certain crowd in the Conservative movement.” “But not among all Conservatives,” says former Conservative strategist Yan Plante, who was chief of staff […]
‘We need to talk’: Bangladesh seeks ministerial meeting with Canada to discuss the removal of a convicted killer
Bangladesh’s envoy in Canada is calling for Ottawa to engage in high-level ministerial meetings with Dhaka to discuss sending back a man convicted of killing the country’s founding president. Bangladesh High Commissioner Khalilur Rahman said Canada has been delaying discussing the case and is urging Justice Minister David Lametti and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly […]
