New federal languages legislation must address unique linguistic needs of Inuit
Inuit are pleased that the Government of Canada has prioritized the co-development of national First Nations, Inuit, and Métis languages legislation during the current legislative session. This co-development exercise has the potential to advance reconciliation between Inuit and the Crown, and to positively change the way we work together on shared legislative priorities. Perhaps most […]
Trudeau government’s promise on Indigenous education gets a failing grade
What would you do if education officials in your children’s school board falsified graduation rates or failed to track why so many children were unable to pass basic literacy tests? What would you do if, year after year, education officials covered their tracks by ignoring orders to compile useable data to ensure better education outcomes? […]
Respect provincial laws to ensure the highest standard applies
During the last electoral campaign, the Liberal Party’s platform stated that a Trudeau government would respect provincial and municipal authority before authorizing oil or pipeline projects. “While governments grant permits for resource development, only communities can grant permission.” So the Liberals said—before the elections. In Bill C-69, the government has decided not to take into […]
Ford’s win won’t influence Quebec
Don’t expect Ford mania to seep into Quebec’s fall election campaign. The opposite is likely to happen. Rarely have Quebecers followed an Ontario campaign with as much fascination as the one that concluded with a Tory majority victory on Thursday. But that interest was based on a mix of incredulity and relief. Incredulity that a plurality […]
Ontario now ranks first in Canada for representation of women
During elections where the losses are as big as the wins, it’s easy to miss the obvious. This may be especially true in Ontario where, in this past Thursday’s election, the distinct desire for change was an overriding preoccupation. This intense thirst for change overrode multiple and conflicting concerns, including the relative inexperience and polarizing […]
Bloc Québécois’ division helping make Quebec most ‘critical’ battleground for 2019: Greg Lyle
Upheaval within the Bloc Québécois, and the emergence of the new Québec debout party from its defectors, are helping make Quebec a “critical” battleground for 2019, says pollster Greg Lyle, and the province presents the “most interesting dynamic in the next election right now.” “In the past, people said, ‘Well, we have to watch the […]
Four years of Ford: PCs win majority after turbulent race
Ontario voters chose to take a sharp turn to the right, choosing Doug Ford, the former Toronto city councillor who rose to recognition amid his late brother’s turbulent run as the city’s mayor, to lead Ontario with a majority mandate. That brings an end to 15 years of Liberal governments, in a race filled with head-spinning […]
Kinder Morgan deal reminds us we’re still hewers of wood, drawers of water
OTTAWA—I remember well the afternoon in 2010 at what used to be called the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade when our policy team was invited to listen to one of the so-called “geniuses” in the Asia division. He detailed a plan to export unprocessed bitumen to China and Japan for refining. The rationale […]
A chance at relevance for the Bloc
To the surprise of no one except herself, Bloc Québécois leader Martine Ouellet has lost her bid to remain at the helm of the federal sovereigntist party. On the weekend, two-thirds of the remaining BQ members showed her the door. The verdict could not have been clearer. Still, it took Ms. Ouellet almost 24 hours […]
British Columbians concerned about Trans Mountain aren’t disloyal Canadians
Both the federal and Alberta governments have taken to dumping on British Columbians as a bunch of radicals who don’t care about Canada. To the contrary, they are thoughtful about this country, care deeply, and want to protect it. The spin about the Trans Mountain pipeline being in the “national interest” is questionable at best, deceptive […]
