‘In-depth’ understanding of Congress, Capitol Hill outreach to be part of MacNaughton’s D.C. legacy, say experts
When David MacNaughton departs his post as Canada’s ambassador to the United States at the end of the month, he will be remembered for the important links he made with Congress, say trade experts and politicos. In the midst of the precarious renegotiation of NAFTA with the volatile Trump administration, Canada shifted its eyes towards […]
Senate ethics review ‘last act’ for retiring Senator Andreychuk
Just days before Raynell Andreychuk retired from the Senate, she was finishing up the final touches on a committee report to “significantly” amend the Upper Chamber’s ethics and conflict of interest code, which offers sweeping recommendations to address inquiry delays and create obligations for Senators to respond sooner. As chair of the Senate Ethics Committee, […]
Late MP Obhrai demonstrated the good that can still be found in federal politics
OTTAWA—One of Canada’s most genuine and likeable political figures, Deepak Obhrai, died Aug. 2 of an aggressive form of liver cancer. He was only 69 and still had so much to offer to his constituents and country. Like many others, I was an unabashed fan of Obhrai. He was a legitimately warm and welcoming fellow. […]
Fed’s chief information officer steps down, says new CIO should aim for ‘quick, small’ wins in government reform
Canada’s former chief information officer Alex Benay, who was tasked with heading the government’s transition to digital service delivery as well as lead the way off of the problem-plagued Phoenix pay system, says his successor should celebrate the small steps. “Relentless incrementalism is a perspective that we joked around a lot about at first, but […]
As eco-fascism takes hold, Canada’s leaders have yet to prove they’re up to the fight
OTTAWA—Many have been ringing the alarm about the terrifying connections between climate change, economic anxiety, and white nationalism movements and ideology. Eco-fascism, as it is otherwise known, is no longer a theory that resides in the depths of seedy internet forums. It is a fatal threat that must be challenged in the open. The El […]
Political ads reaching Canadians, who say they have ‘no impact’: poll
Nearly two-thirds of Canadians said they had seen a political advertisement in the past month, suggests a new poll by Forum Research, but eight in 10 of them say the ads had little or no impact on their opinions. The poll by Forum Research used an interactive-voice response system to survey 1,733 Canadians across the […]
The NDP needs a better story
OAKVILLE, ONT.—If the federal NDP is ever going to have a hope of reversing its sagging political fortunes, it needs a better story. After all, the party’s current narrative is wall-to-wall depressing. It has in Jagmeet Singh an uninspiring leader and who seemingly lacks media savvy; it’s mired in a pitiable financial state and, of […]
Downloading ideology works efficiently in banana republics, juntas, and dictatorships, but not so well in democracies, as the Conservatives should have learned in 2015
HALIFAX—Like death and taxes, I suppose it was inevitable. In not so subtle fashion, the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) is trying its best to suggest that the media is the enemy of the people. Certainly of conservatism. An important message in an election cycle—and a derivative one. Like Donald Trump, whose constant whine is […]
Half of Canadians agree Trudeau apologizes too much: poll
A little more than half of Canadians say they agree that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologizes too much for the Canadian government’s past wrongs, according to a survey done late last month by Forum Research. Thirty per cent of those surveyed said they strongly agreed when asked, “Do you agree or disagree with this statement: […]
Some Liberal MPs ‘happy’ with Butts’ return, others concerned he could be a liability for Grits’ re-election campaign
Liberal MPs are offering mixed reactions to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to bring his former principal secretary and best friend Gerald Butts back to join the Liberal campaign team, with some saying they welcome this decision and others concerned it could provide fresh oxygen to the SNC-Lavalin scandal all over again. In an interview […]
