Iconic Canadian Tim Hortons takes a hit
OTTAWA—What could have been more Canadian than Timmies. That is until last week. The ugly showdown between Unifor and Tim Hortons shows just how far this iconic doughnut shop has drifted from its humble beginnings on Ottawa Street in east Hamilton. So revered was the initial location that locals used to joke that the tiny […]
Calls for reset continue as MMIW national inquiry requests more funding, time
With less than a year to go, calls for a reset of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women continue, and while some are concerned that a reset could be the inquiry’s doom, Indigenous activist Ellen Gabriel says as it stands, it’s “failing anyway.” “The TRC [Truth and Reconciliation Commission] got reset twice, […]
Trade policy, negotiations to test Trudeau government’s mettle this year
TORONTO—Trade policy—and trade negotiations—will test the mettle and competence of the Trudeau government this year far beyond any big tests it has faced to date. The risks are high, with big implications for exports, the dollar, jobs and investment. How well, or badly, the Trudeau government handles the trade files could also determine the outcome […]
Scheer better define himself, say observers, before he’s pinned as a ‘fuddy-duddy stuck in the ’50s’
The Conservative Party’s policy convention is still eight month away, but leader Andrew Scheer is under pressure to define himself and his revamped party for the Canadian public. Mr. Scheer’s (Regina-Qu’Appelle, Sask.) leadership has come under attack in opinion columns in The Globe and Mail, National Post, and iPolitics recently, with headlines declaring that he is […]
Providing benefits not burdens
CALGARY—“Providing benefits not burdens” is how former health minister, Judy LaMarsh once described the vision for disability policy in Canada. Unfortunately, this vision is not a reality when it comes to one of the main benefits open to Canadians with disability: the federal Disability Tax Credit (DTC). Administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the […]
Tommy Desfossés leaves post as EA to Prime Minister Trudeau, Philip Proulx steps into job
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently said goodbye to his executive assistant for the last two years, Tommy Desfossés. After nine years working for Mr. Trudeau overall, Mr. Desfossés departed the Hill at the beginning of January and is said to be currently taking some time off. No doubt much-needed after a busy last two years. […]
When city hall becomes a terrorist target
OTTAWA—There are many reasons why citizens dislike city hall. You might have a beef over the taxes you pay. Perhaps you are not happy with snow removal or garbage collection. You may even have a bone to pick with a parking ticket you received. These are all petty issues and not ones you would normally […]
“The House of Commons may be on break but news never sleeps. What do you think has been the most important political story over the holidays?”
Cameron Ahmad Liberal strategist “The most important story over the holidays was surely welcome news for millions of Canadians, whose hard work has paid off and has resulted in our country’s lowest unemployment rate in decades. Moreover, our economy added hundreds of thousands of new jobs in the last year alone. At this midway point […]
ISG Senators won’t call for Sen. Beyak’s ouster, after pushing for ethics, spending probes
Independent Senators appointed by the Trudeau government say they aren’t trying to get Senator Lynn Beyak kicked out of the Senate—yet—after calling for investigations into her conduct by the Senate ethics officer and Internal Economy Committee last week. “I’m not at that point yet,” said Ind. Sen. Frances Lankin (Ontario). Sen. Lankin and four other […]
Protests or not, federal politicians aren’t dumping Tim Hortons
Picketing, nasty headlines, and a boycott campaign so far haven’t been enough to break up the love affair between federal politicians and Tim Hortons. Federal MPs offered their opinion on the controversy rooted in a decision by some Tim Hortons franchises in Ontario to cut paid breaks for employees, after the provincial government imposed a […]
