Which party will deliver the most transparent government?
VANCOUVER—Canada’s Access to Information Act of 1982 is an essential law that allows citizens and the media to obtain government records on many vital topics, such as health and safety, crime, public finance, and the environment. Yet today it could be equated to a rusted manual typewriter in the iPhone-Twitter age. In 2008, I wrote […]
Strategic voting to determine if Liberals will form government, say political players
With polls predicting a close election contest this week, many ridings across the country are likely going to be decided by tight margins making strategic voting the key determinant if Liberals will return to power or not on election day, say political players. “It’s a factor, it’s going to be an important factor in close […]
#Elxn43 report card result: needs improvement for Indigenous inclusion
OTTAWA—I never thought a 40-day campaign period could be so long. So many words and so little principle. We looked for opportunities to engage on discussions on the future of health and social services, including for Indigenous peoples. And instead of the urgent conversations needed to address this priority for many Canadians and Indigenous health-care […]
Business tops experience among 2019 candidates, one-third have run for office before
Whether debating at town halls, canvassing, or presenting their cases online, it’s a near record year for candidates, with 2,146 running, including 1,741 candidates offering for the six major parties and pitching themselves to Canadians in this election. One-third of the 2019 Conservative candidates cite their business credentials in their online biographies—far more than their […]
It’s the end of the road for this tragically obtuse election
OTTAWA—“Alexa, play ‘End of the Road’ by Boyz II Men.” It’s the end of the road for this tragically obtuse election. Election 43 should be known as the Election of Ignorance for the lack of vision, lack of leadership, and a lack of accountability. If this is the best Canada has to offer, we’re effed. […]
A merciful end to a fractious (but not all bad) election
CHELSEA, QUE.—Let’s take a look at the sunny side of election 2019 now that it is coming to a merciful end. This could take longer than you think. Judging by advance polls, it appears that more people voted, and may be voting today, than usual. That speaks to a tight race, a healthy democracy, broader […]
Eat, think, vote: making food a key election issue
As we head to the polls, there is one issue that touches every person living in Canada, from coast to coast to coast. Food. Food nourishes us, brings us together, and connects us with our cultures and traditions. It structures our days, and our economies. Food touches every one of us intimately, and the food […]
Millennials influence parties’ key policy promises, outreach efforts
With millennials making up about one-third of Canadian voters, most political parties have been eager to develop policy platforms and appealing messaging to entice youth to the polls. Based on data from the 2016 census, approximately 29.3 million people are eligible to vote in this election. If millennials are considered to have been born between […]
This is a testing time for leadership
TORONTO—It has been an appalling election campaign where the biggest challenges we face were largely ignored. But once the vote-counting is over, MPs will have little choice but to face up to the looming realities that seriously threaten their easy promises of an affordable and prosperous future. Whoever forms the government will have to get […]
Turkish offensive should pressure feds to act on repatriation of Canadian citizens in Kurdish-controlled ISIS detention camps, says expert
In the midst of an uncertain future in northeastern Syria where Turkish forces have been attacking Syrian Kurdish positions for more than a week, some experts say the situation should press Canada to act on repatriating its detained citizens in ISIS detention camps. Turkey launched its offensive into Syria on Oct. 9 after U.S. President […]
