Race to the finish: inside the ‘big push’ for digital dominance in the short Conservative leadership contest
The five-month sprint to the Conservative Party leadership election will force the contenders to rely more on digital tools like Facebook and email than they did during the last contest in 2017, shifting the campaigns away from phone calls and handshakes, say strategists and Conservative digital specialists. “I think that the truth is, it’s really […]
Being nice won’t shield politicians from attack
OAKVILLE, ONT.—If you’re pondering about running for elected office, and you’re thinking that since you’re a nice person, you won’t have to worry about getting viciously attacked, I’ve got some news for you—you’re dreaming in Technicolor. The harsh reality of politics is that nobody is immune from “negative” attacks, not even “nice people.” I remember […]
Indigenous-led conservation offers opportunity for Canada—and the world
YELLOWKNIFE, N.W.T.—Canada needs to keep its promise to the world. Struck by increasing declines in wildlife and other species, Canada was among the first countries to commit to doing something about the biodiversity crisis. Under the international Convention on Biological Diversity, now supported by almost every country on earth, we pledged to protect increasing amounts […]
Senator Lynn Beyak should be suspended again, says Ethics Committee
The Senate Ethics Committee has recommended that Senator Lynn Beyak be suspended from the Senate again, after it completed a study that found she had not complied with its conditions for returning to the Red Chamber. The committee of five Senators issued a report late Jan. 31 that said Sen. Beyak should be suspended without […]
Senators Gagné, LaBoucane-Benson named to government team in the Red Chamber
Alberta Senator Patti LaBoucane-Benson was named the new government liaison in the Senate this morning, and Manitoba Senator Raymonde Gagné was chosen as the new legislative deputy, filling out the government’s new team in the Red Chamber in time for the Senate’s return on Feb. 4. The appointments were made by the Senator Marc Gold […]
Conventions, conventions, everywhere, and yet, little democracy to be found
TORONTO—Once upon a time, when there used to be a federal Progressive Conservative party, they had leadership conventions. And political cartoonists and editorialists loved them. There was never a dull moment as the leadership selection process was a guaranteed “news” moment that blended with what we would now call vicious, Survivor-like reality television. It was […]
Federal silence on Wet’suwet’en tensions a ‘worrisome’ sign of faltering Liberal push on reconciliation, say advocates
As the new Wet’suwet’en blockade enters its fourth week, some advocates say the tensions are revealing gaps in the Liberal reconciliation effort, laying bare the need for new models of Indigenous self governance and respect for land rights. Rose LeMay, CEO of the Indigenous Reconciliation Group, says she’s been “cringing” as she watches the federal […]
CPC leadership race exits show it’s getting easier to say ‘no’ to public office
OTTAWA—Why are some good potential candidates stepping away from the Conservative leadership race? Three did last week: Rona Ambrose, Jean Charest, and Pierre Poilievre. Having them not compete for the Conservative crown is a loss to the party. The spectre of having these three political power players battling it out with Peter MacKay, Erin O’Toole, […]
Don’t go down ‘rabbit hole’ in Trade Committee’s study of new NAFTA implementation bill, warn trade experts
As the bill to implement the new NATFA moves towards a committee study, trade experts warn against a marathon review of the pact, which they say could lead to greater uncertainty for the Canadian economy. A bill to implement the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)—known as the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) north of the border—will be […]
A new Canadian peace centre could make a world of difference
Who isn’t concerned about our shared global challenges? It’s hard to miss overlapping crises, many fuelled by militarism, marginalization, and inequality. Canada provided pivotal leadership and ideas in the past and it could definitely help again. The recently announced Canadian Centre for Peace, Order, and Good Government therefore is a much-needed step in the right […]
