Sen. Downe’s departure a blow to new Progressive Senate Group
Update: the Progressive Senate Group folded late Monday morning, with all remaining members leaving to sit as non-affiliated Senators. Senator Percy Downe’s decision to leave the new Progressive Senate Group leaves the fledgling group without the numbers to gain recognized status in the Senate, and could complicate negotiations for committee seats between Senate leaders. Sen. […]
Wexit ‘absolutely a real thing’ and reaching ‘boiling point’; Parliamentarians need to ‘look for bold and innovative solutions,’ say Conservative MPs
With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau set to unveil his new cabinet this week and Parliament returning next month, Conservatives are warning that Wexit is a serious issue which is reaching a boiling point, and say all Parliamentarians need to work together to come up with bold and creative ideas to address this important issue affecting […]
Canada’s new transport minister must captain a bold environmental agenda for shipping
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is busy building his new cabinet for a Nov. 20 unveiling. Whether or not Transport Minister Marc Garneau remains at that helm, the position’s new mandate must address the dramatic implications of shipping on climate, wildlife and pollution, especially as traffic ramps up in the melting Arctic. Every time a cruise […]
Senate groups scramble for members ahead of committee selection, ex-member calls out ISG ‘groupthink’
Editor’s note: this story has been updated online to reflect Senator Jean-Guy Dagenais’ and Senator Percy Downe’s decisions to join the Canadian Senators Group on Monday. The now five-group Senate is in flux just a few weeks before Parliament reconvenes, with each group working to court new members, hold onto their own, or both, ahead […]
Potential ministers should have excellent cultural competence
OTTAWA—One of the ways that the Government of Canada can reduce conflict with Indigenous peoples is by valuing, even demanding, that ministers have excellent cultural competence. Cultural competence is the skill and ability to respect others’ cultures, and limit the projection of one’s own culture on others. Reconciliation requires that potential ministers truly understand the […]
Time for Scheer to get another job
CHELSEA, QUE.—Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer has apparently learned nothing from last month’s election results—neither humility, nor the urgent need for a different tone, nor the limited appeal of his policy offerings. On the contrary, he seems determined to lose again. In post-election appearances, Scheer continues to campaign and carp and complain, grating on nerves […]
Pondering a counterfactual Conservative leader
OAKVILLE, ONT.—When analyzing a current political situation it’s sometimes useful (and fun) to engage in a little bit of speculative counterfactual thinking. For instance, what if back in 2017 the Conservative Party had chosen a more socially liberal leader? I’m bringing this up because Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer is coming under attack for his […]
She stepped down as party leader, but May’s revved up to lead the Greens in the House
HALIFAX—So the woman who was Greta Thunberg before Greta Thunberg is gone as leader of the Green Party. The country has not just lost a political visionary, and a brilliant mind, but a woman it barely knew. There was of course the stereotypical view—Elizabeth May as a one-issue politician dragging Canadians towards a world where […]
Pain of presidential impeachment hearings is palpable
OTTAWA—The pain of presidential impeachment hearings is palpable. Multiple witnesses will be heard. Multiple claims will be made. And in the end, it is unlikely a single mind will be changed. The American political system is so broken that intelligent citizens are already turning a deaf ear to testimony they do not want to hear. […]
Western alienation and Arctic paralysis: where is an Erik Nielsen when we need him?
CHANDIGARTH, PUNJAB—As Canada’s regional bulls snort and paw the ground, Canada’s North is invisible and forgotten, and the West is mad as hell. The Liberal minority government will need to delicately dial back some cherished progressive policy thrusts to help ease deepening regional pressures on Canada’s unity and prosperity if it hopes to remain in power and […]
