Mr. Rajotte goes to Washington

It seems fitting, before discussing the intricate and somewhat frayed bilateral relationship between Canada and the United States, to first acknowledge the recent passing of Allan Gotlieb, an esteemed public servant, a visionary diplomat, and Canada’s longest-serving ambassador to the United States (1981-1989). And while the geopolitical tensions of the Cold War have long passed, […]
The 1980 referendum campaign: a shining Canadian moment

OTTAWA—Forty years ago today, I was standing in the Verdun Auditorium in south-centre Montreal, when a woman said to me in French, “This is proof we can be good Québécois and Canadians at the same time.” It was a key message of the tumultuous six weeks that led to the historic victory of the “No” […]
Push to reopen the economy fuelled by disinformation, political gaslighting

OTTAWA—Donald Trump’s gaslighting of America is rapidly turning into Canadian policy. This is being orchestrated through an aggressive disinformation campaign, controlled and co-ordinated by the White House. On May 11, thousands of children in Quebec returned to school after an eight-week absence as a result of measures undertaken to stop the spread of COVID-19. […]
Quebec CPC membership votes more important than low leadership donations, say politicos

All four Conservative leadership hopefuls have reported low fundraising numbers in Quebec to start the year, amounting to three per cent of all funds raised this race in a province that will be key to the next leaders’ coronation. That doesn’t mean they aren’t active and recruiting support in Quebec, suggest some Conservative politicians, who […]
Liberal MP Kamal Khera joins nursing ranks after COVID-19 recovery

The only MP to have publicly revealed to have tested positive for COVID-19 and subsequently recovered has joined the front lines pitching in at a long-term care home in Brampton, Ont. Liberal MP Kamal Khera, who is a registered nurse, announced she was joining the front lines of the health crisis in March, but before she […]
We’re crazy with confinement, but does that mean we’re ready?

CHELSEA, QUE.—When it comes to when and how fast we should resume quasi-normal life as pandemic infection rates slow, the answer probably depends on how old you are, how broke you are, and where you live. Or so you would think. Yet Quebec, with more than half of the 50,000-plus cases in the country—and a […]
Mass shooting should prompt discussion on domestic violence, says Liberal MP

Canada needs to have a conversation about violence against women and ramp up support to address the problem, says Lenore Zann, the Liberal MP who represents the Nova Scotia riding where a gunman killed 22 and, police say, started the slaughter with an attack on his girlfriend. Finding out the rampage began that way “sends […]
Former Hill journalist, two-time Liberal candidate Allan Thompson to head Carleton j-school

Allan Thompson’s reporting career took him from Parliament Hill to Rwanda, and now he is set to become the new lead for Carleton University’s journalism school. “Thrilled to share the news I’ve been appointed the next head of Carleton’s prestigious journalism program, effective July 1. These are challenging times in journalism, but we’ve got brilliant, […]
Nova Scotia massacre again drives home urgent need for action on gun control, gender violence

OTTAWA—At a raucous party in Portapique, N.S., some years ago, the shooter in the recent massacre had an argument with his girlfriend, removed the tires from her car so she couldn’t leave, and then locked her out of their house, a long-time neighbour recalled. Trying to help the girlfriend, John Hudson went to the house […]
Nunavut politicians say feds must ‘step up’ prevention measures, fearing COVID-19 could spread ‘like wildfire’

Nunavut politicians are calling on the federal government to put aside more funds to prepare the territory, saying the $30.8-million promised last week is “a drop in the bucket” and not near enough to prepare for COVID-19 cases, which they warn could spread like wildfire in small communities. As the lone MP representing the largest […]