‘This is a national crisis, not a series of provincial pandemics,’ says columnist Gilmore, urging PM to take ‘national response’
Recent high infection rates of COVID across Ontario and across parts of the country sparked calls for a “national response” last week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to “stop scolding premiers from the sidelines.” Maclean’s columnist and entrepreneur Scott Gilmore wrote in a Nov. 10 piece that Mr. Trudeau “mostly side-stepped responsibility and decided 10 […]
Feds may face tough choices if record spikes in new infections continue, says Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a stern warning to premiers on Friday, saying the government could be forced to make tough decisions about where to deploy its “limited resources” if it’s unable to rein in the “really troubling surges” in parts of the country. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Mr. Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) said his […]
Tam says ‘extremely difficult balance’ lays ahead in second wave of COVID-19
The country’s top doctor called on leaders Tuesday to consider “fine-tuning” any reopening plans to avoid the possibility of more cases and a “yo-yoing” effect in the pandemic’s second wave. Speaking to reporters, federal chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam noted jurisdictions like Quebec and Ontario are facing an “extremely difficult” balance, as parts […]
Incumbency, ‘cooperation, and a multi-partisan approach’ electoral advantages for conservative-leaning provincial governments during pandemic, say pollsters
With a number of popular, conservative-leaning provincial leaders either heading to the polls in the near future, fresh off a recent election win, or facing pressure to call an early election while riding particularly high approval numbers, pollsters, and political insiders say incumbent provincial governments are at an advantage politically at this point in the […]
Parliament returns with the theatre of building back better
CALGARY—It’s Fall 2020 and we still have a government. That’s nice. It’s the best one can hope for in the midst of a global pandemic, economic disintegration, and a society that is held together, not by a common purpose, but the tenuous glue of predictable racial fragmentation. A lot of people are telling on themselves […]
‘The time is now’: limit gatherings to avoid future lockdowns, says Tam, as federal data projects more spikes in cases
Canada’s chief public health officer is urging Canadians to avoid large gatherings to prevent further spikes in new COVID-19 cases and avoid another lockdown, saying federal modelling figures project the number of cases could climb to more than 155,000 within the next 10 days. Speaking to reporters Tuesday afternoon, Dr. Theresa Tam shared data that […]
O’Toole’s big blue tent looks more like the Ford/Trump sideshow
OTTAWA—One of the more interesting questions before Canadians this fall is what kind of a party leader they’ll get in Erin O’Toole. In the midst of COVID-19, people don’t seem to be paying much attention to what the new Conservative head is actually saying. But what is clear so far is that O’Toole is building […]
Leslyn Lewis has ‘earned’ shot at solid blue riding after remarkable leadership run, say party members
Leslyn Lewis’ remarkable ascent within the Conservative Party after her failed leadership bid means she likely has a wide range of ridings to choose from as she pursues a seat in the House, say strategists and party members. But support from local members on the ground will be key in her run. Ms. Lewis, who […]
Not a ‘given’ Ford would campaign for new Conservative leader, O’Toole, says strategist
Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s decision not to campaign for Erin O’Toole in the next federal election is a signal to Canadians that it isn’t time for politics, say strategists and pollsters, while one Liberal insider says that support needs to be “earned.” Liberal strategist Tiffany Gooch, a principal consultant with Aurora Strategy Group, said that […]
Intergovernmental relations and the pandemic
The moment Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to the airwaves and announced the lockdown on March 13, 2020, it was clear that responding to the COVID-19 pandemic would require unprecedented intergovernmental activity. Since then, first ministers’ meetings have been held weekly, via conference calls, which is a remarkable feat in a federation where such meetings […]
