Conservative Party can’t represent all conservatives
In the changing times of the last 20 or 30 years, the views of Canadians on the right of the political spectrum have not been similar enough to be represented by a single party. This is why it was natural that the Reform Party arose, reflecting very different views from the Progressive Conservatives. The merging […]
Harper defines anti-Semitism by assumption
Former prime minister Stephen Harper was known for refusing to even entertain the slightest criticism of the Israeli state’s behaviour. Mr. Harper’s history adds context to his recent comments on British Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn and the perils of anti-Semitism. Unfortunately, Mr. Harper’s Sept. 3 column first published in The Telegraph in the United Kingdom […]
It’s not the economy, stupid: Quebec’s counterintuitive election
The Saint-Tite Western Festival is to the Calgary Stampede what Atlantic City is to Vegas: smaller in scale, shorter on high rollers, and a little rougher around the edges. But like its western counterpart, Quebec’s eastern rodeo is a required stop on the province’s summer political calendar, especially during election years. Which is why incumbent premier Philippe […]
Judge tosses defamation case against veterans minister
An Ontario judge has dismissed a defamation case against Veterans Affairs Minister Seamus O’Regan, saying the need to protect the freedom of expression is more important than any harm alleged to have been suffered by an outspoken veterans advocate. Sean Bruyea, who represented himself in Ontario Superior Court, says he plans to appeal the ruling. […]
PIPSC election candidates allege union committee censored their bios
As the national election campaign for the second-largest federal public service union heats up, at least two candidates are alleging they have been censored by the union’s elections committee. The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, which represents 57,000 government IT workers, scientists, and other professionals, will hold its national election on Nov. […]
Sens. Doug Black, David Wells, Marilou McPhedran top Senate spring spending
Ninety-four Senators spent $1.37-million on living and office expenses, travel, contracts, and hospitality during three months this spring, according to newly released figures from the Senate. That’s about 3.2 per cent more than the amount posted the same period a year prior, although there are now 10 fewer Senators. The quarterly expense disclosures published at […]
Liberal MPs congregating in Saskatoon to plot strategy for the fall sitting of Parliament, 2019 federal election
With the federal Liberals entering the last year of their mandate, the 183-member federal Liberal caucus is hunkering down for three days in Saskatoon this week to plot strategy for the fall sitting of Parliament and for the 2019 election. “We’re within a year of [the next federal election],” said Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux (Winnipeg […]
Sajjan says Canadian Armed Forces should reflect Canadian population and be gender balanced
Canada’s Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan says the Canadian Armed Forces is striving to reflect its population, and that means gender parity. The current goal is for the Forces to be composed of 25 per cent women by 2025, but Mr. Sajjan (Vancouver South, B.C.) said that is “just the start.” That includes making […]
The politics of political personas
OAKVILLE, ONT.—One of my most basic rules for politicians is: “Be real, be true to yourself.” In other words, don’t try to be something you’re not, since voters can usually sniff a phoney from a mile away. Yet, they say rules are meant to be broken and maybe that’s the case for my “Be Real” […]
Canada can’t afford to sign renegotiated NAFTA without dispute resolution protections, say original NAFTA negotiators
Two top negotiators of the original North American Free Trade Agreement say Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is right not to sign onto NAFTA’s renegotiated agreement if it does not include the Chapter 19 dispute resolution mechanism. “Without a dispute resolution chapter or mechanism, the agreement is worthless,” said Mickey Kantor, who led U.S. trade negotiations […]
