Incumbent syndrome is sweeping across the country
OTTAWA—Incumbent syndrome is an affliction sweeping across the country. The phrase was coined by retiring premier Philippe Couillard on the eve of the worst defeat in the history of the Quebec Liberal Party. His party faced an unstoppable wave, and despite outward claims of optimism, Couillard and his team saw it coming. Just like the […]
Anticipating Harper’s book
OAKVILLE, ONT.—Former prime minister Stephen Harper’s new book, Right Here, Right Now comes out this week and I’m pretty excited about it. In fact, as soon at it hits the bookshelves, I’m going to pick up a copy and do what I’ve been waiting to do for months—check out the index to see if he […]
Underrepresented in the House, Asian-Canadian MPs say more Asian faces needed in Ottawa
When Conservative MP Michael Chong was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004, he was surprised to find out that he was the first-ever MP from Ontario of Chinese background. Chinese-Canadians have lived in Ontario for more than a century, with almost half-a-million people of Chinese descent living in the province by […]
Post-NAFTA fight is Trudeau’s to lose
If Justin Trudeau’s Liberals are defeated in next fall’s federal election, it will almost certainly not be on account of their management of the NAFTA file. Notwithstanding a poor initial reception in his home province, the prime minister is not likely to lose Quebec over the concessions he made on the way to keeping Canada […]
Despite dairy concessions under USMCA, Trudeau Liberals’ ambitions in Quebec likely not in peril, strategists say
The Trudeau government’s decision to bow down to U.S. pressure to loosen restrictions on access to Canada’s dairy industry is a cudgel for opposition parties, but strategists say there are limits to how far they can ride the wave of backlash from the industry. The new NAFTA deal, renamed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, was […]
Best thing about NAFTA 2.0? It could have been worse
TORONTO—The best that can be said about NAFTA 2.0 is that it could have been worse. It’s a bad deal, with little pretence about its shift from free trade to managed trade. Even the new name reflects that: we have moved from a North American free trade agreement to a U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement. In fairness to […]
Dear ISG Senators, don’t back down, and stand your ground
OTTAWA—It’s now up to Independent Senators to take action and bring about real and comprehensive Senate reform. Senate reform is not only about the adoption of a new selection and appointment process for Senators. Here, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau seized the initiative with a sense of urgency and determination and in March 2016 announced the appointment of seven Independent and non-partisan […]
François Legault is making national headlines for all the wrong reasons
TORONTO—Hypocrisy, nailed to a cross. It is about three feet high, and it is found at the very centre of a massive, baroque throne. It rather resembles something one would find at Versailles, in fact. At a minimum, it is more ornate and more conspicuous than something one would see above the tabernacle in a church. […]
Progressive fatigue and good communications: why the right is winning
OTTAWA—The right-of-centre Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ), led by François Legault, was just elected with a big majority in Quebec, following Ontario’s lead with Doug Ford and his very right-wing Progressive Conservatives. And in New Brunswick, the PCs may yet be the government. Add to this Jason Kenney in Alberta, Donald Trump, Brexit, Giuseppe Conte in Italy, […]
Safe Third Country Agreement behind spike of irregular border crossers, say Immigration Committee witnesses
The House Immigration Committee, which is looking at migration and refugee challenges in the 21st century, is being told by witnesses that the federal government should suspend the Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement to reduce the number of irregular border crossers coming into Canada. In the face of a question over whether the United States can […]
