Debate over Quebec face-covering law displays a gap between polls and votes
Perhaps as early as next week, a Quebec court will be asked to suspend the recent provincial prescription that anyone dispensing or receiving provincial and municipal services do so with one’s face uncovered. Those challenging the newly adopted Quebec law on religious neutrality on behalf of the minority of Muslim women who wear the face-covering […]
Eastern dealmakers watch feds fumble free trade opportunity
Free trade across America’s northern border is at risk of remaining frozen in the 1990’s as the veneer of hopeful rhetoric fades from the NAFTA negotiating table. That’s bad news in New England and Atlantic Canada where time-tested trading partners would have benefited from the fulfillment of a more modern, inclusive reboot of the deal. […]
All politics is local: Ottawa bubble scandals not making a splash amid Newfoundland ferry furor
ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Yes, yes, you have read and heard about it many times before, but truly all politics is local. After spending the last week at home in Newfoundland and Labrador guest-hosting one of our province’s most-popular radio talk shows, VOCM’s Open Line, that maxim about local issues has been proven true again. National headlines […]
Referendum politics in Canada, Spain: no rules in a knife fight
OTTAWA—The fallout from the Oct. 1 referendum in Catalonia—the Spanish government’s decision to jail members of the Catalan cabinet and seek the arrest of leader Carles Puigdemont—is a vivid reminder that politics can be a blood sport, and that it does not have to be. As Canadians, we watch the turmoil in Spain and convince […]
Time for Ottawa to cry foul over Nova Scotia cap-and-trade proposal
Believe it or not, but the debate on carbon pricing in Canada has seen significant progress over the last two years. Putting a price on carbon pollution is a surefire way to reduce emissions, and also helps to ensure clean economic growth happens here at home. More than ever, it’s not just the usual suspects […]
Jason Kenney deserves applause for pulling off political feat
OTTAWA—Followers of politics, or even those who study organizational behaviour, can’t help but look at what Jason Kenney has just done in Alberta and be somewhat impressed. In what seems like a blink of an eye, but was actually a little under two years, the former cabinet minister to Stephen Harper left federal politics, returned […]
It’s ‘too inflammatory,’ federal Liberals tread carefully on Quebec’s niqab law, eyes on 2019 election
Quebec’s federal Liberal MPs are mostly sticking to the prime minister’s script when it comes to that province’s new law on religious face-coverings, signalling opposition to Bill 62 but holding off on criticism of the provincial Liberals that put it in place, or on any calls to walk back the legislation. Liberal MPs from that […]
After reports and consultations, Nunavut residents optimistic for change
Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to meet with constituents in each of the 25 communities in my riding. And although each community is special and unique, several thoughts and concerns voiced by Nunavummiut were similar in all communities. Two issues in particular were heard unanimously: the lack of mental health services […]
Basic income: the case for incrementalism
When discussing the concept of basic income, those on the front lines, whether living in poverty or helping those who struggle with it on a daily basis, are most often in favour of the “Big Bang” approach—namely, ensuring that all Canadians have a livable income now. Indeed, a national basic income program should and can […]
Two years in, Liberals doing the North well
Over the last two years, our government has made significant progress for northerners on a number of important issues. High food prices in remote Arctic communities have initiated a process that has started with extensive consultation and study of the existing subsidy program, with a goal of making the program more efficient and food more affordable. […]
