Liberals rebound in polls, Nanos says women giving Grits lead over Conservatives
Liberal MPs are pointing to a strong economy and more generous Canada child benefit program to explain their party’s surge in the polls since mid-October, while one pollster is pointing to a steady advantage among female voters for the Grits, despite a deluge of negative news headlines and withering opposition attacks. The opposition Conservatives haven’t […]
In the back hallways, some Liberals talking about prorogation before start of winter session
PARLIAMENT HILL—Political insiders are hinting the Trudeau government will hit the reset button in January over the holiday break and start the winter session with a new Throne Speech, though the federal Liberals are denying any plans to prorogue Parliament. “Why would the government not prorogue?” former Liberal MP and cabinet minister Don Boudria said in […]
Senate committee shakeup complete, stage set for Rules Committee drama
The Senate Rules Committee could be one to watch between now and the next election as the venue where the Independent Senators Group, Conservatives, and Senate Liberals will likely negotiate over permanent changes—or not—to the Senate rules. Senate committees are up and running once again, with most having met to formally select their new chairs, […]
Canada’s auto industry future at centre of NAFTA and CPTPP negotiations
TORONTO—Perhaps no other industry has been the focus of so much government concern and support over the past 50-plus years than the automotive and auto parts industry. This remains the case today; not least because it is important to so many communities—and ridings—across the rich economic and political belt of southern Ontario, but also because […]
Joly should resign as Canadian Heritage minister
TORONTO—Dear Minister Joly, may I call you Mélanie? You’ve blocked my access to your ministerial Twitter account, so please forgive the formality of an open letter. I sense that I’ve upset you, which concerns me deeply. Let’s leave aside, for a moment, the propriety of a public servant (that’s you) blocking the access of one of your […]
Liberals exploring creation of independent commission for leaders’ debates, but not all convinced of need
The Liberal government is eyeing the creation of an independent body to run televised federal leaders’ debates during elections, and while some former campaign organizers say they are open to the idea, others say the large number of debates in 2015 demonstrate the ad hoc system works the way it is. “These matters are for […]
The nervous, joyless journey to legalize marijuana
GATINEAU, QUE.—The adults of Canada are deeply conflicted about marijuana. By “adults,” I mean most politicians over 30 years old. By “conflicted” I mean that our leaders are in the process of legalizing recreational pot, but they don’t want anyone to think they approve. The grudging message seems to be: you can smoke, as long […]
Conservatives, NDP call on Liberal government to match rhetoric with action on NORAD cooperation
The Trudeau government is backtracking on promises to strengthen Canada’s role in collective North American security by failing to secure new fighter jets and refusing to participate in the U.S.-led anti-ballistic missile defence system, says Conservative defence critic James Bezan. In the new defence policy released last May, the Liberal government committed to support the […]
A different kind of tweet
LONDON, U.K.—“The president has absolute authority, unilateral power to order the use of nuclear weapons,” said Bruce Blair. The nuclear codes are “the length of a tweet. It would take them one or two minutes to format and transmit that directly down the chain of command to the executing commanders of the underground launch centers, […]
Rumpled shirts mean rumpled imagery
OAKVILLE, ONT.—“I hate it.” Those were the exact words I uttered immediately after viewing the latest Conservative Party TV ad, an ad which is supposed to showcase its leader, Andrew Scheer. Simply put, my initial reaction was the spot failed on every level. However, I began to doubt that harsh judgment after several Conservative friends, people […]
