Former Tory staffer’s brewery launches ‘buck-a-beer’ challenge, offering a cold brew and warm welcome to refugees
During Ontario Premier Doug Ford‘s election campaign, he promised he would bring the minimum beer price down to a buck a beer, and an Ottawa brewery—co-founded by a former Tory staffer—is meeting that challenge, albeit with a twist. The Dominion City Brewing Company plans to launch its ‘buck-a-beer’ on Aug. 30, just days after the […]
Autocratic Lives Matter? Saudi Arabia and the sovereignty card
One of the many ironies of our current political moment is that while, for the first time since 1970, sovereignty isn’t on the ballot in the upcoming Quebec election, it seems to be catching on in the rest of the world. But the sovereignty that has become an incantation among autocrats seeking refuge from condemnation […]
Parties boosting internal security in face of foreign interference fears
Although they won’t get into specifics, the country’s main national political parties all say they’re boosting their internal security to protect against foreign interference in next year’s federal election. But, according to critics and experts, the real burden rests with the Liberal government to do the necessary work to ensure the 2019 election remains free […]
Maxime Bernier’s Twitter tirade a gift to Justin Trudeau
OTTAWA—Professional tip to all Members of Parliament, but particularly the Conservative ones, if you want to have a discussion about Canadian identity: Twitter isn’t the the best vehicle for you. That should seem self-evident but apparently that is not the case. Now if you want to wreak havoc, piss people off, and throw verbal hand […]
Saudis crossed the line, and Canada shouldn’t back down
TORONTO—Canada is in a social media war with Saudi Arabia. It’s not a real war—at least not yet. Real wars involve bullets and bombs and bodies. This one is presently confined to Twitter and press statements. Conscription hasn’t happened just yet. There has been one truly extraordinary statement made by Saudi Arabia, however, one that […]
A foolish reason to travel dangerously
TORONTO—Dragging my suitcase across the border, through a narrow gap in the barbed-wire fence, stepping foot from Uzbekistan into Tajikistan. Neighbouring dictatorships that didn’t actually have any diplomatic relations or intercountry air travel and, at that time, allowed border traversing only through this one teensy portal, the Oybek post. Then a bumpy flight to Dushanbe, […]
Quebec-related cabinet changes ‘clear signal’ Trudeau’s Liberals want to make gains in province in 2019: strategists
Recent cabinet changes impacting ministers from Quebec indicate how crucial the province and its 78 seats will be in the 2019 federal election, say strategists, with Quebec set to be a top target for all of the major parties. The July 18 cabinet shuffle saw the number of federal ministers from Quebec jump by one, […]
‘Our party took a $20-million hit,’ Conservatives to claw back money from candidates post-election; MPs well on way to stocking 2019 coffers
The Conservative Party will begin clawing back money from its electoral district associations after the next election, to make up for money lost when the former Conservative government eliminated the per-vote subsidy. The Conservative Party will ask the EDAs to hand over half of the money they receive when Elections Canada reimburses candidates for 60 […]
Political advocacy via hashtag is only tweeting to the choir
OAKVILLE, ONT.—For political advocacy groups, such as organizations that rabble rouse on issues like taxes and the environment and various other causes, the ongoing social media revolution has brought with it both boon and potential peril. The boon part, of course, is pretty obvious. Thanks to social media, political advocacy groups can now reach vast […]
Singh walking a tightrope without a net
TORONTO—There is often a penchant among Canadian politicians and pundits to over-analyze byelection results and search too hard for tipping points or tectonic shifts that may be merely mirage. But this time, it cannot be overstated. The political future of Jagmeet Singh and the foreseeable fortunes of his federal NDP now sit with voters in […]
