Trudeau should follow his father’s lead and let others challenge Bill 21
OTTAWA–It was October of 1977. Marc Lalonde, the powerful federal cabinet minister, was glowering at me as he yelled into my microphone. I was a 25-year-old radio reporter in Montreal, and he had just announced that the cabinet, led by then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau, would not challenge the constitutionality of Quebec’s language law, Bill 101. […]
Facing the nation: leaders’ tours hint at parties’ vulnerabilities, seats in play
The party leaders’ sprint across the country in the run-up to the election hints at where campaign strategists think their team can make inroads, or—depending on the state of the electoral map and public opinion polls—where they need to play defence, say political observers. It’s no surprise the four major party leaders have been logging […]
Greens running biggest federal campaign yet, led by Jonathan Dickie
Much is new when it comes to the federal Green Party’s campaign, including a first-ever rapid response team, a bulked up team of provincial organizers, and national campaign manager Jonathan Dickie says the party is currently “fairly confident” it can win between six and 12 seats on Oct. 21. “That number’s constantly shifting as we […]
NDP defection gives Greens ‘boost’ in New Brunswick, but it’s still an ‘uphill battle’
The federal Green Party’s endorsement by a group of former provincial NDP candidates—though inflated in its original number—gives the party a “bolt of energy” in New Brunswick, say observers, though the province remains an “uphill battle” for the Green Party. At a press conference on Sept. 3, a group of provincial New Democrat defectors presented […]
The world can’t take much more right-wing populism
OTTAWA—One of the more interesting little moments at every G7 summit comes toward the end when the country that will be the host the following year announces the site of the next leaders’ conference. True to Donald Trump’s usual machinations, the U.S. president turned this mildy newsy routine into a huge controversy, saying it would […]
Rookie Quebec Liberal MP Nassif unexpectedly says she won’t seek re-election
Rookie Quebec Liberal MP Eva Nassif was “confident,” until recently, the party would nominate her as a candidate. But on Thursday night, she announced unexpectedly she won’t seek re-election, “because of recent events of a personal nature” that she said she does “not take lightly.” In a statement on Twitter, Ms. Nassif (Vimy, Que.) did […]
Jack Harris throws his hat in the ring one more time
ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Jack Harris is sitting in a stylish new brewpub off Duckworth Street in St. John’s, discussing his latest foray into federal politics. He looks a lot younger than his 70 years, dressed in cotton pants and a checked blue shirt, open at the collar. It is a young crowd, and many drop by […]
Stop letting the system assault victims of sexual violence over and over
Sexual assault is one of the worst experiences any woman can face. It rightfully attracts strong opprobrium on the part of society. So why are victims often hit by a second assault in the form of avoidable emotional harm inflicted by the officials and institutions they trust when they reach out for help? That question […]
Come From Away and Oswald Fudge are ambassadors for a uniquely Newfoundland and Labrador story
GANDER, N.L.—Oswald Fudge is sitting opposite me in a restaurant in Gander. Given his busy schedule, I am flattered he has time for me. As a rookie councillor for the town of Gander, elected in the fall of 2017, he has meetings to attend, calls to make, and people to see. He is also busy […]
Founders of Nunavut right to make protection and promotion of Inuktut a priority: Fyfe
Re: “Opposition MPs skirt top soldier, place blame for DND ‘chaos’ on Trudeau, Sajjan,” (The Hill Times, July 17, p. 1). Samantha Wright Allen reports on criticism of the governments of Canada and Nunavut for their inability to do more to “protect and enhance” Inuit language and culture as part of the Nunavut Land Claims […]
