Congo: drifting into dangerous waters
LONDON, U.K.—You have to admire Joseph Kabila’s cheek, if nothing else. On Jan. 27, at his first press conference in seven years, the long-serving president of the Democratic Republic of Congo said: “We have to have elections as scheduled.” But they were scheduled for December of 2016. Kabila had been in office for fourteen years […]
Palliative care, the next step for Canada
With Bill C-277, “An Act Providing for the Development of a Framework on Palliative Care in Canada,” receiving royal assent in December 2017, there is a real opportunity to accelerate plans to fill the gap that exists in palliative care across Canada. Consider that upwards of 70 per cent of Canadians have no access to palliative […]
Nanos’ book on ‘voter rage’ to be released in three countries
The federal Liberals will have to tread carefully going into the next election if they want to try to repeat their victory in the age of anti-establishment politics, according to veteran Ottawa pollster Nik Nanos. Mr. Nanos recently authored a book on voter rage, anti-establishment politicians, and the keys to election victories and losses in […]
Accusers want Green leader May held to account for ‘bullying’ after she questions their motivation
Three former Green Party staffers who have accused Elizabeth May of workplace harassment say they went public with their claims to hold her to account, not to turf the veteran politician from her leadership post. Diana Nunes, who served as Green Party finance director for over 10 years, said she decided to speak about her […]
NDP harassment probe shows perils of party discipline
What the heck is happening with Erin Weir and the NDP? NDP leader Jagmeet Singh held a press conference Feb. 1 to announce that there would be an independent investigation into allegations from a fellow caucus member that Mr. Weir, the NDP MP for Regina-Lewvan, had harassed women. So far, so good: kudos to the […]
From marijuana to medications: Trudeau government and health file in 2018
Whether cannabis legalization, the spiralling opioid crisis, or keeping medication prices affordable, there’s no shortage of meaty policy files on the desk of Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor. Serving her first term in the House, Ms. Taylor (Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe, N.B.) has been tasked with handling not only an immensely important portfolio that directly affects the lives of […]
Fifty shades confused by spate of sexual harassment accusations
OTTAWA—Fifty shades of confusion is the only way to portray the spate of sexual harassment accusations that have overtaken legislatures across the country. Me-too mantra says all accusers must be believed. But when the facts are faceless or uncorroborated, what happens to fairness? The second element of confusion stems from the definition of sexual harassment. […]
Enthusiasm for trade deals misses important but necessary step if Canadians are to benefit
TORONTO—There is this optimistic view that if we sign free trade agreements with other countries, exports and jobs will follow. It’s why there are frequent exhortations for Canada to sign more free trade deals, like the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership, before it the Canada-European Economic and Trade Agreement, and perhaps later with China. […]
Liberal research bureau hires former ITK comms officer for outreach work
A new outreach assistant recently started work in the Liberal caucus’ research bureau on the Hill, also known as the LRB. Mitchell White officially started on the job as a special assistant for outreach on Jan. 22. Before then, he was working for the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), a non-profit organization that represents Inuit communities […]
#MeToo movement belongs to the victims, not the media
TORONTO—Affidavits? A week ago in this space, I wrote the following. “It is up to the victims who swore those affidavits to step forward and tell their story. Not me or those like me. It will take courage—telling truth to the powerful always takes courage—but now, I’d say, is the time.” Again: “It is up to […]
