There’s no one-size-fits-all sex-ed policy
OTTAWA—Ontario’s hot, steamy summer just got warmer, as Ontario Premier Doug Ford fulfilled his campaign promise to cancel the sex-education curriculum that was introduced in 2015 and to revert to a dated, 20-year-old version. That reversal lasted one entire weekend because as of Monday the Ford government had flipped to a 2014 plan. The Ford […]
‘Always in a good mood and a team player’: Ex-Liberal MP, artist Eugène Bellemare dies at 86
In December 1988, during Liberal MP Eugène Bellemare’s first days in the House, in his maiden speech he spoke of “living in the shadow of our Parliament” since a young age, and seeing prime ministers walking in the streets. The four-term Ottawa MP and former art teacher “passed away peacefully,” according to his obituary, on […]
Circumpolar Inuit gather for historic assembly in Alaska
UTQIAGVIK, ALASKA—Inuit from four circumpolar nations are gathered on the shores of the Beaufort Sea this week for the quadrennial general assembly of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC). They include Canada, Alaska (United States), Greenland, and Chukotka (Russia). The meeting is taking place in the birthplace of the international Inuit organization, founded 41 years ago […]
Refugee advocates dispute Canada facing ‘crisis’ over arrival of claimants from U.S. border, NDP says ‘Conservatives misrepresent issue’
Debate over Ottawa’s handling of the settlement of refugee claimants has both the Trudeau government and the Conservatives trying to bait each other into appearing too soft or too hard on the hot-button issue, but the Tories should be wary of appealing to the baser instincts of voters, say advocates and political players. “I think […]
Centre Block occupants prepare for summer clear-out
Plans are underway for those who call Centre Block their second home to start the long goodbye. As part of the phased-move approach that will eventually see the iconic Parliament Hill landmark shut down for a decade or more, Parliamentarians with offices in Centre Block are preparing to move into new accommodations this summer. Last […]
NPR, Politico latest U.S. news outlets expanding northward, shaking up Canadian media environment
Politico and National Public Radio’s announcements in the last month that they’re expanding northward are just the latest in an uptick in American media outlets pouring more resources into Canada and hoping for more Canadian revenue in return. But press gallery journalists say they aren’t concerned the increasing interest in Canada will harm their jobs, […]
Some politicos question Grégoire Trudeau’s involvement in government activities, others say she deserves more credit for her work
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau’s prominent role in public life has prompted some politicos to question whether she’s edging too close to the line of being overly involved in government activities, but two opposition party critics say she actually deserves more credit for her work. Others, meanwhile, including Western University political science professor Cristine de Clercy, say she’s […]
Political parties should face stricter privacy rules
The massive Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal that emerged this past spring was shocking due to the level of carelessness with which Facebook users’ data was harvested and used without their knowledge. But, to a certain extent, it wasn’t surprising. In recent years, political parties in many places have been sucking up as much data about voters […]
Bowing to Putin, Trump doubles down as disruptor on world stage
OTTAWA—Decades of world affairs fell by the wayside in recent days with United States President Donald Trump’s visit to Europe and his mind-exploding meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It seems inevitable, as Americans and the rest of the international community assess the damage from Trump’s latest foray abroad, that there will be renewed questions […]
Zimbabwe’s ambassador, diplomatic corps dean, leaves Canada after ’13 winters’
After “13 winters” of ups and downs, Zimbabwean Ambassador Florence Zano Chideya, the longest-serving head of a foreign diplomatic mission in Canada, has finally wrapped up her tour of duty in the country. “I’ve been here for 13 winters…I’ll miss the country. I think it’s been home. And when you are home, you are comfortable. And I’ve […]
