SNC-Lavalin nuclear contracts at risk if it’s convicted
If SNC-Lavalin is denied a deferred prosecution agreement and is convicted of fraud and corruption, this could prevent the engineering company from bidding on federal government contracts in Canada. But it could also jeopardize its current and future contractual obligations with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), power producers Bruce Power, China National Nuclear Corp., […]
Canada can’t coast through this climate catastrophe
Canada is always trying to punch above its weight and prove itself from under the shadow of its southern neighbour. Well, congratulations, Canada. We’ve managed to shine once again, by being a world leader in how quickly we can warm our section of the globe. Canadian scientists have determined, in a report released April 2, […]
A new role for media, academics, and experts: call it Corrections Canada
CHELSEA, QUE.—There has always been distortion and exaggeration in political campaigning—along with personal slurs, simplistic slogans, and misleading advertising. What is different now is the level of shamelessness that attends this dispiriting ritual. Even when blatant errors are pointed out, political leaders are loathe to retreat, or withdraw. Often, they merely double down. So, when […]
Adam Vaughan apologizes for ‘whack’ tweet
Liberal MP Adam Vaughan apologized for a tweet he wrote on Saturday saying to “just whack” Ontario Premier Doug Ford. In the tweet, the Toronto-area MP also misspelled his former Toronto city council colleague calling him Doug “Frod.” “So Frod’s gang could get folks upset over hurting Kindergarten students instead of being angry over the […]
Here’s a thought: how MPPs could oust Ford before next election
What do you do when you want to change a government in this country? If you’re like most of us, you follow the rules, wait for the next election call, cast your vote for another party and pray. But what if those rules included a provision to oust a first minister without having to go […]
Will the populist bandwagon roll on in Canada?
OTTAWA—Populism in its various modern forms has been altering the global political picture for several decades. Its presence has grown rapidly in the last 20 years and has recently been the modus operandi of powerful office holders in about two dozen countries, according to a study by the Institute for Global Change. Once a phenomenon […]
Ford should do the right thing, show people he cares
OTTAWA—Ontario Premier Doug Ford should do the right thing and show people he cares. He should reconsider cuts to French-language services affecting Ontario’s 600,000 francophones, including the cancellation of plans to create Ontario’s first French-language university in Toronto (a promise he renewed during his recent election campaign) and the rescinding of a $3-million grant to Ottawa’s French theatre company, “La Nouvelle Scene.” […]
Polls show tight race between Grits and Tories in Ontario to start 2019, with 905 set for another election showdown
The Liberals and Conservatives start 2019 in a “horse race” in Ontario, pollsters say, as some end-of-2018 polling showed the Tories slightly ahead of the Grits and possibly headed towards an electoral showdown in key suburban ridings outside of Toronto come October. Weekly Nanos Research polling throughout December 2018 found Conservative support had swung ahead […]
Political winners and losers in 2018
TORONTO—The year-end political winners and losers column is as clichéd, hackneyed and overdone as it gets. But no one ever accused this writer of being, you know, original. So, heretofore and herewith, 2018’s political winners and losers, all jumbled together. Some are found in both categories, so pay attention, Virginia. Justin Trudeau: winner and loser. Canadians still […]
What Santa ought to bring party leaders this Christmas
OTTAWA—The Christmas and holiday season is upon us. Many, including me, will be thankful to have a little break from all things politics as well as commenting on the same. Relaxation and recharging are in order. But before checking out for a couple weeks, how about some Christmas wish lists for our main national party […]
