Second COVID wave, vaccine issues rapidly unwinding any and all political assumptions
OTTAWA—Politically, everything we have surmised about the impact of COVID-19 is no longer applicable. Last year, the tragedy of the pandemic assumed a fairly linear political narrative. For Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, this revolved around his government’s unprecedented rollout of financial aid to keep the economy on life support and help millions of individuals—plus the […]
Get ready for a dose of vaccine populism
OAKVILLE, ONT.—Populist politician Donald Trump may no longer be in power, but that doesn’t mean populist tactics will suddenly become unfashionable. Like it or not, populism is to politics what fighting is to hockey—the two just naturally go together. Indeed, even the COVID vaccine rollout, currently in its initial stages, could very well trigger a […]
Payette resigns after report found toxic work environment at Rideau Hall
OTTAWA—To sack or not to sack, that is the question. Three current cases, two federal and one provincial, give us some insight into differing approaches to a firing offence. Conservative Member of Parliament Derek Sloan was tossed out by a majority vote of caucus, allegedly for accepting a donation from a white supremacist. His toxic […]
As Ford declares second state of emergency, some federal Ontario MPs say situation at ‘critical point,’ looking for more clarity
Following Ontario’s second state of emergency declared last week since the pandemic began as a result of escalating COVID-19 numbers, a number of Ontario MPs are saying the pandemic has reached “a critical point” and are looking for more clarity from the provincial government around stay-at-home orders that will persist until well into February. The […]
First ministers’ meeting likely to hit on health transfers, vaccine rollout
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc are set to meet virtually with Canada’s premiers on Thursday, a gathering that the provinces have been clamouring for since September. Ottawa and the provinces appear to be at odds over the focus of the meeting. The premiers have been calling for a permanent 13 […]
Hillier is a great leader, but not the right one for the vaccine job
OTTAWA—Last week, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the appointment of retired General Rick Hillier to head the provincial task force that will oversee the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Ford told reporters that this challenge “needed a general,” and he went on at length as to why Hillier was the right man for the job. The […]
Eight months into the pandemic, we’re no longer pulling together
As the prospect of a dim and diminished Christmas approaches, social cohesion is fracturing. Like hostages trapped in the same room for too many months, people are lashing out—at politicians of all stripes, at once-revered public health officials, at partying young folk, at anti-maskers, at the big-box stores that profit while local restaurants and shops […]
Hillier is the right choice to lead Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution
OTTAWA—Much like General Douglas MacArthur returning to the Philippines during the Second World War when the beleaguered nation needed rescue, Gen. Rick Hillier has returned to the national stage to oversee a key battle against COVID-19. Hillier has been asked by Ontario Premier Doug Ford to run the task force that will manage the distribution […]
Resist the MAGA-lite theatrics and make premiers accountable again
CALGARY—Canadian conservatism is showing itself to be a whiny bastion of imperious, incompetent, and now flailing mostly white men—and their co-conspirator women—who blame everyone else for their problems and shortcomings. It’s beginning to look like a lighter version of our MAGA-obsessed southern neighbours. What the pandemic has shown is that the so-called “Resistance”—as defined by […]
‘Inevitable’ return to testy federal-provincial relations will showcase discord with differing priorities, say politicos and experts
As the collaborative approach between federal and provincial political leaders is collapsing, politicos and experts say it is an “inevitable” return to normal as policy priorities diverge. Gone are the days of cordial co-operation between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the premiers, as the prime minister urges the provinces to contain the spiralling second wave […]
