In praise of Ford’s snow theatrics
OAKVILLE, ONT.—Ontario Premier Doug Ford was sharply criticized in some circles recently for doing a good deed. Okay, maybe it wasn’t so much a “good deed,” as it was a brilliantly planned public relations performance. I’m talking, of course, about how, the morning after his province got walloped by a massive winter storm, Ford was […]
Canada boosts Ukrainian military training mission, but yet to match Kyiv’s ask for lethal weapons, sanctions
Canada came short of matching Kyiv’s appeals for help, announcing it is extending and expanding its military training mission to Ukraine, but defensive weapons and sectoral sanctions are not part of the assistance package. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) announced on Jan. 26 Operation Unifier would be extended for another three years. He also […]
COVID’s very real demands taking a toll on purveyors of populist flimflam
OTTAWA—Boris Johnson’s troubles have ballooned to the point of creating a moment of truth for the British prime minister. By the weekend, his ability to hang onto his job was dangling in the balance, as Johnson tried to fend off attacks on his integrity from across the political spectrum. One of the most successful politicians […]
Turning a blind eye to economic violence
OTTAWA—The Republicans of the North have never met a point they didn’t bludgeon, nor a fact they didn’t massage into terror. It’s understandable that the Conservatives want to jump on the inflation bandwagon, since people are feeling the pinch of rising grocery prices, reduced aggregate supply due to the pandemic, and many of them rushed […]
Big issues at play as the parliamentary games begin
OTTAWA—Parliament returns on Jan. 31 for what could prove to be an eventful sitting. As we all work to slog through winter, our federal legislative Chamber will be focused on the pandemic, inflation, and, in these early days, potential war in Ukraine. Fascinating subplots will also be in Justin Trudeau’s flourishing “will he or won’t […]
NDP caucus retreat brings renewed focus on health care and cost-of-living concerns ahead of House return
New Democrats ended their virtual caucus retreat with a plan for the party to push the Liberal government on cost of living and health-care capacity, a focus NDP MPs and political strategists say will resonate with Canadians but won’t replace the ground-game organizing needed to improve the party’s electoral fortunes. “You can’t just focus on […]
Rural Economic Development Minister Hutchings’ firms up 13-member team
Rural Economic Development Minister Gudie Hutchings has finalized her new office, with 13 staff in place, including Kendra Wilcox as director of policy and operations and Danielle Moriarty as head of parliamentary affairs. As previously reported, Alex Howell is chief of staff to the first-time minister from Newfoundland and Labrador. Wilcox is well familiar with […]
Upcoming carbon price increase to ‘pose some of the greatest challenges to the Trudeau government yet,’ argues Angus Reid’s Kurl
The federal carbon price is rising for a third time this April, reaching $50 per tonne of greenhouse gas emissions, but amid high inflation and affordability anxiety one pollster suggests it may prove a challenge, and a test, for the Trudeau government to sell to Canadians. “The timing and amount of the upcoming federal carbon […]
House return will be a welcome channel changer
The return of Parliament should provide a much-anticipated channel-changer from the constant barrage of COVID news that still saturates the airwaves. Most people I know have simply tuned out to the daily update of hospitalization and infection information from every part of the country. They are also taking the medical advice with a grain of […]
A bad week for misbehaving political elites
HALIFAX—It was a bad week for misbehaving political elites. Take Jason Kenney, temporarily Alberta’s premier until next year’s election. He was already on a bullet-train to oblivion for a host of tawdry scandals and poor decisions, including botching the response to the pandemic. Remember, this is the guy who told Albertans that the summer of […]
