Are pipelines a political pipe dream?
GATINEAU, QUE.—It is odd the way Canadian politicians—notably Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley—continue to promote oil pipelines as a key to economic prosperity. It’s odd, because that isn’t the way the market appears to be going, not now and possibly not in the future, either. At a key energy conference in […]
Conservative, NDP debates a show of contrast
To compare the leadership debates of the Conservatives and the New Democrats on the basis of the latter’s first all-candidates meeting is to engage in a study in contrast. The Conservative campaign features an overcrowded podium, essentially proving in the process that an abundance of candidates does not automatically translate into an abundance of riches. […]
The Week Ahead in Committees
Monday, March 20 The House Subcommittee on Private Members’ Business of the Procedure and House Affairs Committee will meet at 1:15 p.m. in Room 228, The Valour Building to make the determination of non-votable items pursuant to Standing Order 91.1(1). The House Citizenship and Immigration Committee will meet at 3:30 p.m. in Room C-110, […]
MPs take steps to protect themselves as anti-Islamophobia motion sparks threats
PARLIAMENT HILL—With threats against some federal politicians on the rise as a motion condemning Islamophobia makes its way through the House, MPs have been taking measures to keep themselves and those around them safe. In response to rookie Liberal MP Iqra Khalid’s (Mississauga-Erin Mills, Ont.) private member’s motion, M-103, introduced in December and last debated […]
SPIN DOCTORS: “M-103, the anti-Islamophobia motion, is up for debate this week. What do you think of the motion and the reaction to it?”
Kate Purchase Liberal strategist “Diversity is Canada’s strength, and inclusion is a value that we, as Canadians, hold dear. Our government will always fight for these values. Since 2012, hate crimes against Muslims have doubled. The rise in Islamophobia incidents in Canada—including the terrorist attack in Quebec, where six Muslims were shot because they were […]
The real populist question
OAKVILLE, ONT.—When it comes to the phenomenon known as “populism,” political observers in this country keep asking the wrong question. In the editorial pages of newspapers, in magazine articles, on TV public affairs shows, journalists, academics, and pundits keep wondering aloud if populism could ever take root here in Canada. That’s the wrong question to […]
Runciman questions why ethics officer taking so long to investigate Meredith
The Senate ethics officer started three investigations against Independent Sen. Don Meredith in 2015, one over his sexual relationship with a teenager, which was recently completed after two years and attracted national attention. But the chair of the Senate Legal and Constitution Affairs Committee is questioning why the ethics officer is taking so long to complete two other […]
Mr. Big tactic should be allowed, especially in terrorism cases
OTTAWA—In a democracy that prides itself on the rule of law, no one in Canada is above the law, even—and especially—those charged with enforcing it, i.e. law enforcement agencies and their members. Nothing subverts the faith a society has in its legal institutions more than the belief that laws are not applied equally to all […]
Raitt willing to serve in an O’Leary-led Conservative caucus
Conservative MP and leadership candidate Lisa Raitt has a website dedicated to telling people that Kevin O’Leary is “wrong for the Conservative Party and wrong for Canada,” but says she’s willing to put all that aside and support him if he becomes leader. And that support includes serving as a critic in an O’Leary-led Conservative […]
The Russians are coming, better get ready
Whatever one thinks of Russia’s recent antics on the world stage, you have to concede they have brilliantly exploited information-age tools to confuse audiences about what is truth, what isn’t, and to set their own narrative. The returns have been massive and out of all proportion to the modest investment. Much nefarious activity has recently […]
