How protesting truckers challenged political identities
OAKVILLE, ONT.—Whether you love it or hate it, one thing can’t be denied, the “Trucker Rebellion of 2022” sparked political shockwaves not only here in Canada, but across the entire globe. Yet, since Canada is the epicentre of the trucker protesting, it stands to reason that our political parties would suffer the greatest and most […]
Dealing with the not-so-neighbourly branches of the family tree
OTTAWA—If you live in Ottawa now, you are emotionally strained, exhausted, and fed up. As we near the end of the third week of the “Freedom Convoy’s” visit—or more precisely, illegal occupation—and the painful exercise of governmental finger pointing as to why our national lawn is still occupied by “protesters,” no obvious end appears in […]
‘We’re stronger together’: African Senate Group responds to protest, seeks ‘meaningful’ change in Red Chamber
Since Feb. 2, Ontario ISG Senator Bernadette Clement has gone to work on foot, walking from her downtown Ottawa apartment through the protest encampment along Wellington Street to her East Block office, and on to the Senate of Canada Building. Worried about the anti-lockdown occupation that took root in Ottawa on Jan. 28, friends and […]
How many leaders will COVID blowback claim?
OTTAWA—Eventually we’ll find out how and why the Ottawa police managed to inspire an outpouring of illegal vehicle blockades and anti-government marches around the world. Ottawa police chief Peter Sloly unfortunately was clearly the wrong person at the wrong time. He admitted the local police mishandled the insurrection in the capital but then said his […]
Emergencies Act invocation sets a dangerous precedent
OTTAWA—I listened to Ram Ranch by Grant MacDonald, so you don’t have to. When our leaders tapped out of this occupation, it became the swan song for a resistance that is brewing in Ottawa that preceded the Trudeau government’s invocation of the Emergencies Act. On Monday, the federal government invoked the Act to get a […]
When breaking party ranks, only some MPs forfeit their political future in the name of dissent
When dissenting from the party line, Liberal MP Joël Lightbound took a rarely seen step on Parliament Hill to advocate a position not being endorsed by his leadership—and one former Liberal whip said he risked his political life in doing so. On Feb. 8, Lightbound (Louis-Hébert, Que.) took his grievances about the Liberal government’s handling […]
Nova Scotia Senator Bernard receives Bob Marley Day award
PSG Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard, the first African Nova Scotian woman named to the Senate, is one of eight recipients of this year’s Bob Marley Day award. The awards are given every Feb. 6 as part of the City of Toronto’s annual proclamation marking the birthday of the iconic Jamaican musician and human rights advocate. Marley, […]
Who’s who in Infrastructure and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister LeBlanc’s office
Intergovernmental Affairs and Infrastructure Minister Dominic LeBlanc has a newly combined portfolio on his hands this Parliament and currently a 21-member staff team is in place to support him, seven of whom are new additions. Jamie Innes continues as chief of staff to LeBlanc, as previously reported. He’s working closely with Kevin Lavigne, who has […]
Help wanted: a courageous national leader to speak up for the rest of us
CHELSEA, QUE.—There is a gaping hole at the centre of our political life right now and no one—not the prime minister, opposition leaders or even premiers of broader vision—appears capable of filling it. Yet we desperately need a confident leader, not just to stare down the incoherent bullies that have been tormenting the citizens of […]
‘The government is clearly being hurt by this’: Trudeau government criticized for its handling of Ottawa occupation
Justin Trudeau’s handling of the occupation of Ottawa, combined with his own caucus members’ public criticism of their government’s more recent approach on the pandemic, could be politically damaging to the prime minister and the government, say politicos. “The government’s getting a big black eye right now,” said Greg Lyle, president of Innovative Research, in […]
