Veteran Conservative staffer Martin Bélanger exits the Hill after 16 years
After working under three Conservative leaders, and two interim ones, senior Conservative staffer Martin Bélanger officially bid farewell to Parliament Hill on June 10. Bélanger was most recently a deputy chief of staff and senior Quebec adviser in the Conservative Official Opposition Leader’s Office (OLO), to both former leader Erin O’Toole and interim leader Candice […]
Writing a new chapter in the Northwest Territories’ mining story
As a government, it was reassuring to attend this year’s Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada convention in Toronto and hear messages from non-government experts that validate what we’ve been saying for quite some time: that the Northwest Territories’ reputation for strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, coupled with our incredible and still underexplored […]
Does the Constitution matter anymore?
GASPÉ, QUE.—I was always taught the Constitution was the supreme law of Canada. From high school to CEGEP to university and beyond into active politics, the message was: the Constitution matters. Even before the patriation of the Constitution and the inclusion of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982, the discussions revolved around obscure […]
Massive infrastructure and capacity gaps with regard to clean drinking water
As the heat of summer bears down on Ottawa, I reach for a glass of water and take a moment to reflect on the sad reality that being able to drink a glass of cold tap water, shower and do my laundry is a privilege. Despite Canada having almost one-fifth of the world’s fresh water, […]
Religion was both a blessing and a curse in Quebec
KAMOURASKA, QUE.—The original French version of O Canada was written in 1880 by a man who lived just down the road. Adolphe-Basile Routhier was a judge in Kamouraska, but also an author, poet, and ultramontane Catholic. The latter two characteristics were evident in the national anthem: the lyrics refer to knowing “how to carry the […]
‘Patchwork approach’ to drug decriminalization ‘shameful,’ shows ‘lack of leadership’ from feds, say advocates, critics
Despite the federal government leaving the door open to expanding the decriminalization of small amounts of drugs in the future, drug policy and human rights organizations across the country are criticizing the temporary exemption approved for British Columbia on May 31 as a “patchwork approach” that will leave many Canadians behind. “It’s incredibly disappointing,” said […]
Premier Legault’s failed Anglo charm offensive
KAMOURASKA, QUE.—Quebec politics is like hockey, columnist Lysiane Gagnon once wrote: les Québécois like a team that fights to win, and that’s the one they will support, or respect. The May 14 march of thousands of citizens through downtown Montreal to protest Bill 96 showed Anglo-Quebecers were, in the words of the 1970s film Network’s […]
Bloc on full offensive over Liberal challenges to Bill 96, as feds keep eye on implementation
The Bloc Québécois is accusing Liberal MPs of “encouraging the anglicization of Quebec,” in response to criticisms of Bill 96, the province’s language bill overhauling the Charter of the French Language. During Question Period on May 30, quoting previous comments made by Quebec Premier François Legault, Bloc Québécois House Leader Alain Therrien (La Prairie, Que.) […]
Kenney caught in quagmire of his own making
OTTAWA—Prior to the pandemic, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney was arguably the most powerful and influential conservative leader in Canada. Andrew Scheer, when he was federal opposition leader, had Kenney campaign for him in Ontario, while at the same time staying away from Ontario Premier Doug Ford. When Erin O’Toole was seeking to replace Scheer, he […]
Lost in the COVID haze: Ford’s record in Ontario seems largely forgotten by voters
OTTAWA—Whatever is in those mandate letters, it must be really politically embarrassing or damaging. In the summer of 2018, shortly after Premier Doug Ford took office, CBC Toronto asked that the mandate letters to his 23 cabinet colleagues be made public under freedom of information. The Progressive Conservative government refused, claiming they were exempt as […]
