How Robert ‘Fife the knife’ broke the SNC-Lavalin story and 40 years of other scoops
Robert Fife, the Globe and Mail Ottawa bureau chief and one of the reporters behind the explosive SNC-Lavalin story that’s rocked politics in Ottawa for a month, has been breaking stories for decades due to his vast network of sources, keen eye for detail, and knack for telling when people aren’t telling the truth, say […]
The time is ripe to grapple with Canada’s big institutional questions
Canadians have just had a crash course in the workings of their national political institutions. What have they learned? Partisan politics rules. Canadians ought not be surprised to learn that political assistants in the Prime Minister’s Office said to one another and to a cabinet minister in a private meeting that “we can have the […]
SNC-Lavalin affair ripe for opposition to capitalize on, say politicos, but Scheer, Singh poll numbers still flat
The SNC-Lavalin affair has hurt Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s approval numbers, but political commentators say it remains to be seen whether Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh can use the controversy to bump past the Liberal leader in the polls ahead of October’s election. Recent polling shows that Mr. Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) […]
Mixed grades for party leaders’ responses to SNC-Lavalin scandal
OTTAWA—The ongoing saga of the Trudeau government’s self-made mess around SNC-Lavalin’s quest for a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) and its aftermath has provided some insight into the three main federal party leaders. Specifically, how they have performed when the spotlight has turned their way. The results are mixed. Let’s start with the NDP’s Jagmeet Singh. […]
Venezuela’s trauma underscores volatility facing Latin America
OTTAWA—Only rarely these days do societies collapse in the way Venezuela has. Once one of the richest countries in Latin America, it has descended into complete disorder, with failing power supplies, severe shortages of food and medicine, rampant political repression, a failing economy, an exodus of 3.4 million residents, and an authoritarian ruler propped up […]
A tale of two scandals: Wilson-Raybould and Norman cases following diverging paths
OTTAWA—It is interesting to compare the very different circumstances surrounding the two individuals at the centre of the current political scandals in Ottawa. I’m referring, of course, to former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould and Vice-Admiral Mark Norman. In terms of similarities, both cases begin with information being leaked to the media. They also stem from […]
Bernier passes on taking part in Justice Committee SNC-Lavalin hearings
People’s Party Leader Maxime Bernier has been absent from the House of Commons Justice Committee as it delves into the SNC-Lavalin affair, despite all other parties—even those without official party status—showing up to participate. A People’s Party spokesperson told The Hill Times that Mr. Bernier has been given an invitation to attend, but since he […]
Prime Minister Trudeau has his eyes wide shut
As Members of Parliament, elected officials are entitled to a variety of health-care benefits. This includes a drug plan, hearing aids, hospital benefits, dental care, and—importantly—vision. Perhaps Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in need of availing himself of the latter. Because when everyone else is seeing something differently than you do, it may be time […]
Ministers Duclos, Goodale, and Bains add to political staff teams
Families, Children, and Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos has a new senior adviser in his office, Jean-Luc Lavoie. A former Quebec Liberal staffer, Mr. Lavoie started on the job in Mr. Duclos’ office on Feb. 25. He previously spent a number of years working for Quebec Liberal Member of the National Assembly Sébastien Proulx, starting […]
Can Israeli democracy survive with Netanyahu?
Israel’s democracy, existing as it has as an island surrounded by non-democracies, has a reputation for being that beautiful euphemism for an array of scrappy qualities: “robust.” Debate in Israel is not for the faint of heart, running for a seat in the Knesset is no more for the squeamish than standing and speaking in […]
