Why Saudi Arabia, Israel praise Trump’s Iran nuclear-deal strategy
LONDON, U.K.—Five months ago, during Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, he was invited to open the “Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology.” (I’m not making that up.) The huge, darkened room he was in looked like a cross between a starship bridge and a television control room. And there was a photo-op, as there […]
Feds have to ‘tread carefully’ on cultural policy after Quebec blowback, say political players
Quebecers are more likely to be invested in the idea of Canada having a distinct cultural identity that needs protecting, which could possibly spell political trouble for Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly and the Trudeau Liberals if the implementation of the government’s recently announced cultural policy doesn’t find the right balance, say cultural and political players. […]
Donald Trump, change agent
For a guy who violates multiple rules of common sense on a daily basis, Donald Trump has ushered in more than his share of change-making political innovations. As an agent of change, Trump has introduced the widespread use of the term “fake news” to our dystopian political vernacular, enabling the leader of the world’s flagship […]
Liberals have put their foot in it with fiscal missteps
OTTAWA—It seems the Trudeau government has lost its mojo. There was a time when nothing could cut down the vibe of invincibility that was Trudeau 2.0. They were hip-hop, non-stop, cool, connected and no one doubted they were firmly on the top of the Canadian political charts. Two years in and two years away from […]
Board of Internal Economy opening a historic first step, but the test will be if transparency holds
This week, the House of Commons Board of Internal Economy will hold its first-ever public meeting. It comes after the Liberals promised in the last election to open up the board to the public. “Except in rare cases requiring confidentiality, meetings of this group will be open to the public,” said their platform. The board […]
Jagmeet, or Jagmeet Singh?
It seems that NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is switching up how his name is presented when promoting events and appearances—whether it’s in a press release or in campaign materials—which is a way of connecting with different audiences, according to the NDP’s former national director. Before the NDP leadership race was decided, a Sept. 19 event […]
Goal of tax changes to ‘fix’ unfair system that encourages the wealthy to incorporate just for tax savings: Morneau
Finance Minister Bill Morneau is under the spotlight as the Trudeau government concludes its second year in office. After all, Mr. Morneau (Toronto Centre, Ont.) is leading the introduction of contentious new reforms that would restrict the savings generated by incorporation. Most notably, the proposed changes, which have lit a powder keg among small business […]
Chan’s widow, Jean Yip, considering run at his vacated riding Scarborough-Agincourt
Jean Yip, the widow of late-Liberal MP Arnold Chan, who died of cancer last month, says her late-husband encouraged her to run federally and she is considering seeking the Liberal nomination in Scarborough-Agincourt. “Arnold and I did talk about it, the possibility, so I’m considering it,” said Ms. Yip in a brief interview with The […]
How desperate is Trudeau to keep NAFTA? Pretty desperate
TORONTO—How desperate is Justin Trudeau to keep NAFTA? Ask the Mexicans, now peering out from under the proverbial bus—where, you know, Trudeau pushed them. Pretty desperate. As they welcomed the Canadian prime minister to Mexico City on Thursday—and as they gamely extracted the Canadian-made stainless steel that had slipped between their shoulder blades, the Mexicans […]
Morneau was in ‘catch-22,’ couldn’t rebut tax reforms criticism during 75-day public consultations, says Easter
Finance Minister Bill Morneau and his staff could have the done a better job of communicating his department’s proposed tax reforms, but were caught in a “catch 22” situation, unable to argue in favour of the reforms for risk of appearing to have made up their minds while holding a 75-day public consultation on the […]
