Trucker-protest paralysis reveals need for leadership in Ottawa, occupation of Canada’s capital shouldn’t be left to just Ottawa mayor and chief of police
As the end-of-January truckers’ protest near Parliament Hill transformed into the early-February occupation of Ottawa’s downtown core, residents and their representatives on the capital’s city council have reached their breaking point and are desperately looking for leadership from the many elected officials in town. The other group desperate for leadership are the truckers themselves, according […]
Clash of the tired: pandemic fatigue and political opportunism at odds as COVID protest persists
Nearly two years into the global pandemic that has changed day-to-day lives, the frustration around an uncertain exit strategy is hitting Canadians hard. And according to polling—and more visibly, from the “Freedom Convoy” that recently took over downtown Ottawa, pandemic fatigue is setting in. Despite public health measures changing as often as they have, with […]
No buyer’s remorse after federal election
The federal election is now four months in our rearview mirror and recent polling done by Discover by Navigator shows that support for the parties remains relatively stable from the 2021 election result. With a slow start to Parliament resuming and much of the COVID attention squarely on the provinces, it is perhaps no surprise […]
Upcoming carbon price increase to ‘pose some of the greatest challenges to the Trudeau government yet,’ argues Angus Reid’s Kurl
The federal carbon price is rising for a third time this April, reaching $50 per tonne of greenhouse gas emissions, but amid high inflation and affordability anxiety one pollster suggests it may prove a challenge, and a test, for the Trudeau government to sell to Canadians. “The timing and amount of the upcoming federal carbon […]
Attracting international talent key to Canada’s future as an innovation nation
Canada has an entrepreneurial culture, highly educated population, a diverse and progressive society, and international reputation as a great place to live and work—which are all plusses when it comes to attracting international investment and talent. Yet our innovation performance finds us consistently ranked as a mid-level player, and in a highly competitive and dynamic […]
Indigenous, historically marginalized groups felt the brunt of election disenfranchisement, say advocates
Although voter turnout overall wasn’t as bad as some predicted, reduced polling stations in densely populated urban areas and remote Indigenous communities, along with the lack of voting opportunities on post-secondary campuses were substantial hits to the franchise of some marginalized groups in last month’s federal election. Elections Canada says it’s looking into at least […]
Violence, anti-Semitism, and poutine? The COVID-19 election was one to remember
In all the hustle and bustle of the election season, it’s almost easy to forget that a pandemic is still raging outdoors, burning through lives and human health like so much dry wood in a forest fire. But with that reality, candidates and party leaders had to get a little creative with their campaign during […]
‘Weak evidence’ polls affect how Canadians vote, say politicos, but close races can push people to the ballot box
There is scant evidence that political polls influence how Canadians vote, but with the 2021 election shaping up to be a tight two-way race between the Liberals and Conservatives, pollsters say that could lead to a larger voter turnout. “The polls are a mirror, in that they reflect what’s going on, but they don’t influence […]
Léger poll on eve of first French debate shows O’Toole gaining momentum in Quebec
As party leaders prepare for the Sept. 2 TVA debate—a crucial event for reaching many Quebec voters—a new poll from Léger Marketing suggests the Conservatives are on the rise in the province. “The reason why this poll is this really important is over the past two years, ever since the 2019 election, we’ve never had […]
Reception ‘a lot worse’ at the doorstep than in 2019, say some Liberal MPs, candidates, and campaign workers
The response some Liberal candidates and campaign workers are getting from Canadians at doorsteps across the country is surprisingly negative, according to Liberal sources who say it’s worse than the backlash from the blackface scandal mid-campaign in 2019. “It’s a lot worse than it was in 2019,” said a Liberal MP, who spoke with The Hill Times on […]
