Lack of consensus on racism is troubling
OTTAWA—There used to be a consensus in Parliament about combatting racism and hate. That doesn’t exist anymore. The Liberal government and its MPs want to embark on some new or renewed initiatives, the NDP want them to move stronger and faster. But on the Conservative end, the very analysis of the problem is fundamentally different. […]
Playing it smart in politics
OAKVILLE, ONT.—Today’s topic is political intelligence. And let me quickly note, when I say “intelligence” I don’t mean “James Bond” spying kind of intelligence. (Though come to think of it, examining the way political campaigns spy on each other would be a pretty cool topic.) The kind of intelligence I’m referring to here is the […]
Alberta and B.C. man the trade barricades
The joke on social media following the Alberta government’s decision to boycott B.C. wine was British Columbians saying, “More for us!” But obstructing trade between Canada’s provinces is no laughing matter, and in the long run means less for all of us. The dust-up began Jan. 30 as the B.C. government announced its intention to […]
Kim Campbell tells it like it is
OTTAWA—Long live the right to bare arms, NOT. Conservative Member of Parliament Michelle Rempel felt the need to cross hairs with her party’s former leader last week by contradicting Canada’s first woman prime minister on the question of gravitas and female flesh. Kim Campbell kicked up a Twitter storm when she linked to a blog […]
Ten PR rules to remember about politics, PR, and the law
TORONTO—There are lots of rules to remember about politics and public relations and the law. Here are 10. Don’t brag about hiring private investigators. For example, in the middle of a #MeToo-type full-blown crisis, don’t have one of your people go on a radio program, and say you’ve hired private detectives to do a “forensic” investigation. […]
NDP reviewing past, present harassment processes amid Stoffer, Weir allegations
The NDP isn’t currently investigating the specific harassment allegations against former NDP MP Peter Stoffer, but it says it’s looking into how such complaints were, are now and will be handled, something strategist Robin Sears says must be resolved by the party. “It’s sad that it’s taken this long for governments and politicians to get […]
Indigenous rights, sexual harassment, engaging grassroots dominate final day of NDP policy convention
New Democrats agreed they want their party to demand a national inquiry into the “gross miscarriage of justice” in Colten Boushie’s shooting death and the RCMP’s handling of the case as well as confront sexual harassment in their own ranks. The two resolutions were passed Sunday during an emergency debate on the final day of […]
NDP elects former Hill staffer Vick as new party president
NDP members elected a new party president on the last day of the party’s 2018 policy convention, with former Hill staffer Mathieu Vick being elevated to the role after garnering roughly 83 per cent of the votes cast. “I’m here for the same reasons as all of you. We need urgent action on income inequality, […]
Galvanizing members, regaining momentum key for NDP at convention to be in fighting shape for 2019: strategists
With more than 1,800 New Democrats gathered in Ottawa to debate and help shape future party policies, NDP strategist and former national director Karl Bélanger says a top priority this weekend is to “galvanize” members and regain the momentum that’s flagged since the leadership race. “The most important thing is to galvanize the activists and […]
Trudeau’s in India to win Indo-Canadian votes
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit this week to India seems to be part of a game plan to garner Indo-Canadian votes, for one can find no other credible reason for the weeklong visit. Canada is home to more than one million people of Indian heritage, or 3.6 per cent of the population. India is also […]
