Delayed federal handgun freeze could mean summer sales spike
By announcing a freeze on almost all handgun sales and transfers in Canada, but delaying the implementation of that freeze, the federal government has given gun enthusiasts and stores a powerful incentive to buy and sell as many handguns as they can before the deadline, say the head of a firearm lobby group and a […]
RCMP neither requested nor planned for Emergencies Act powers, commissioner tells MPs, Senators
The Emergencies Act helped reduce the size of the so-called Freedom Convoy protests in Ottawa before the police action that finally cleared the blockade, but those powers were not requested, nor needed, to clear out other protests around the country, according to RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki. “I believe that the act provided us with tools […]
Handguns occupy ‘tremendous amount of time’ in Public Safety Committee’s firearms study, says NDP MP MacGregor
The discussion around handguns occupied a “tremendous amount of time” from witnesses while the House Public Safety and National Security Committee studied gun control, illegal arms trafficking, and the increase in gun crimes committed by members of street gangs, says an NDP committee member as the group finalizes a report on the study. “One of […]
Lack of leadership to unite Canadians could bring in American-style divisive politics in Canada, warn political insiders
The lack of leadership at the federal level to unite Canadian could bring in American-style divisive politics in the country which means politics will be a lot more about emotion and less about finding the best way forward, warn political insiders. “It means we move along to the same path, the Americans have moved on […]
Study reveals crucial workplace improvements needed for RCMP support staff
Crucial workplace improvements for RCMP operational support staff, largely women, are needed to improve public safety for all Canadians. Earlier this week, Rosemary Ricciardelli, a leading public safety researcher, and I had the opportunity to share key insights into Canada’s first-ever exploration of occupational stress injuries among Detachment Services Assistants (DSAs) working for the Royal […]
Russia-Ukraine conflict changing the channel for Trudeau but PM’s brand damaged by trucker protest, say pollsters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s response to the Russia-Ukraine conflict has changed the channel, but it’s unclear if he will be able to repair the damage done to his leadership after he was widely criticized for how he handled the recent Freedom Convoy protest, say political insiders. “You can do well on an issue, but it […]
Inside out or outside in: no nucleus ID’d as far-right influences spread through and from Canada
The boundaries are blurry when it comes to how Canada’s far right and alt-right—terms that experts define differently—influence and are influenced by their international counterparts, in terms of where and how movements and ideas begin and develop. The recent trucker convoy protests in Ottawa, which spread to cities throughout Canada and around the world, are […]
Is Canadian political discourse f*cked?
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been targeted by a variety of products cursing and denouncing him, and as a result, experts say it’s clear discourse is becoming more provocative and polarized. “The bubble has been burst that we’re a polite society, clearly the Americanization of politics has landed in Canada and the question is whether […]
Don’t use post-9/11 vocab in future online regulations
One constant and jarring example of someone who was taking part in the Ottawa convoy with a history of hate is Pat King, whose 200,000-plus Facebook followers helped turn the convoy into a national item. King did a livestream in 2019 where he said the election that year “ain’t gonna matter unless you wanna change […]
Combatting political polarization a tall order with no consensus craved, say experts
Dial down the rhetoric and turn up the volume on conversation to bridge the seemingly deepening political and community divide, say pollsters, analysts, and politicos, even if some say a consensus on the issues of vaccine mandates and the trucker protest isn’t necessarily possible. “We’ve seen for years now, declining trust in government,” said Brad […]
