Power of one young woman’s voice rocked the world last week
OTTAWA—The power of one young woman’s voice rocked the world last week. When Malala Yousafzai received her honorary citizenship, the diminutive speaker did not mince words. She even dared to use the “f” word, calling on all Canadians to become feminists. Her delivery was gentle, but the content was carefully crafted to make the ultimate […]
MPs from all sides divided on idea of electronic voting in House
Introducing electronic voting to the House is one of a number of ideas for reform put forward by the Liberal government, but MPs are divided, with some in favour of it for the sake of efficiency while others prefer the tradition of standing for votes. “I really think it’s important for Members of Parliament to […]
Trudeau following Trump’s dangerous path on Syria
In his approach to the Syrian civil war, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is consistent in at least one respect. He consistently supports the dangerously inconsistent approach of Donald Trump. When Trump and his senior officials said, as they did just two weeks ago, that they had little interest in ridding Syria of dictator Bashar Assad, […]
Science adviser should be placed in the PCO, not in a line department
TORONTO—Science today affects choices in almost everything government does, while Canada’s future prosperity, is tied to our ability to develop and capitalize on new scientific knowledge, which means how we support science also matters. Canada is hugely deficient both in how we bring science into government decision making and in how we invest to add […]
Liberal MP Easter says Grits should switch approach on House rule changes to get legislative agenda moving
PARLIAMENT HILL—Frustration is mounting among government backbenchers over the stalemate over potential House rule changes, and the resulting inability of the government to advance its legislative agenda, says one longtime Liberal MP, who adds that it might be time for the government to rethink its approach. “A fairly good number of Liberals that are frustrated—[I’m] frustrated myself—with […]
Orange Wave Crashing: New Democrats put on a brave face in the wake of the damaging 2013 caucus revolt
ST. JOHN’S, NFLD.—May 17, 2014. Here’s a partial list of the things New Democrats like: pensions, solidarity, health care, unions, shouting “shame!”, photocopied pamphlets, and hugging. Here’s what New Democrats don’t like: Stephen Harper and giving short speeches. On the Victoria Day long weekend in St. John’s, New Democrats were in fine form, giving long speeches […]
Realizing the benefits of a New Canada Infrastructure Bank
Last November, Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced, as part of the government’s fiscal update, plans to establish the Canada Infrastructure Bank. The initiative is part of the government’s comprehensive plan to invest $185-billion in infrastructure over the next 10 years. With an initial investment of at least $35-billion in the Infrastructure Bank, the government hopes […]
Values, sure, but why does Leitch get to decide what they are?
OTTAWA—Since when did Kellie Leitch get to decide what Canadian values are and which ones were important to ask immigrants about? To her credit, she claimed the territory as her own. After several weeks of vagueness, she outlined five values—just five—even though they have been changing over the weeks, perhaps with the degree of scrutiny. […]
Our misfiring, cartoonish opposition: don’t Conservative, NDP MPs have anything better to do with their time?
GATINEAU, QUE.—Just when you thought politics couldn’t get any more trivial, or annoying, up pops Conservative MP Tony “Gazebo” Clement in Question Period last week to lambaste the prime minister for claiming—falsely, say fake-furious opposition MPs—that he had to accept a free ride on the Aga Khan’s helicopter last Christmas because that was the only […]
Periodically falling on one’s sword is an excellent strategy
TORONTO—White House press secretary Sean Spicer standing at the door to a United Airlines plane, sipping a Pepsi. If a picture is worth a thousand words, and it assuredly is, then that would be the picture for the past few days. To wit: •United Airlines forcibly “re-accommodated” a Vietnamese-American physician out of the seat he […]
