Leave politics out of decision about Huawei’s 5G future in Canada
For some time, I have noticed that Huawei’s 5G has been a hot topic of discussion in Canadian media recently. There are different opinions across Canada about whether Huawei should be allowed to participate in Canada’s 5G network construction or not. In my opinion, 5G development, utilization, and co-operation should not be politicized. Huawei is […]
We really need to stop debating whether far right or Islamist extremists are more dangerous: both need to be monitored
OTTAWA—When it comes to the discussion on terrorism in Canada, we are in a very fortunate position. Our country is blessedly very rarely beset with violent extremism. Nevertheless, the threat is not zero and hence we need to dedicate some level of resources to detecting terrorists and terrorists’ plots in order to prevent death and […]
Legislative preview: Grits face tricky landscape with dozens of legal changes promised in mandate letters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has given his cabinet ministers dozens of objectives that will likely require changes to federal laws, setting up an ambitious legislative agenda for his first foray through a minority Parliament. Mr. Trudeau’s (Papineau, Que.) Liberals managed to pass 88 bills during four years of majority government in the last Parliament. Some […]
Is it time to say ‘No!’ to ‘no-fly lists’?
OTTAWA—You have to pity Adam Ahmad, the 10-year-old boy who finds himself on Canada’s “no-fly list.” This counterterrorism tool, more informally called the ‘Passenger Protect Program’ under the Secure Air Travel Act, has been around since 2007 and seeks to prevent anyone from getting on a plane who intends to: engage, or attempt to engage, in […]
Canadians must get serious about combatting hate speech and gender violence
OTTAWA—Belatedly, but importantly, the city of Montreal last week marked the 30th year since the murder by a Quebec man of 14 women at the École Polytechnique by officially naming the incident for was what it was—an attack on feminists. The type of semi-automatic weapon used by the woman-hating assailant, who separated women from men […]
Despite Trump’s posturing, world is no safer after al-Baghdadi’s death
OTTAWA—There is a very funny video circulating throughout the world on social media, in which former U.S. president Barack Obama’s composure is contrasted with President Donald Trump’s bombast. The clip originally aired on the late night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and it is introduced as a mash-up—alternating sound bites of Obama announcing to the world […]
Focus on restricting access to weed has hampered crackdown on black market
Any assessment of the federal government’s efforts to create a legal framework for adult-use cannabis—or any public policy—must first be viewed through the lens of said policy’s objectives. In the case of cannabis, the government’s stated objectives were to, above all: protect young Canadians by keeping cannabis out of the hands of children and youth, […]
Research will solidify Canada’s cannabis advantage
Researchers use milestones and anniversaries as opportunities to stop and reflect on their projects, take stock of accomplishments and identify what still needs to be done. So, as we pass the one-year anniversary of the Cannabis Act, let’s stop for a moment and do just that. Initial challenges around policy and regulation, industrial production, and […]
Feds have room to move on fully eradicating the cannabis black market
One of the central goals of the federal government in legalizing recreational cannabis was the elimination of the black market for cannabis. The ambition of this goal is now becoming clear. Statistics Canada recently reported that 42 per cent of Canadians purchase some of their cannabis from illegal sources. Given the supply and access issues […]
Will a minority government bring a renewed approach to cannabis amnesty?
One year after cannabis legalization in Canada, economic, health, and public safety concerns remain priorities, but social justice issues continue to be sidelined— just as they were in the final iteration of the Cannabis Act. As people worry about money lost in the industry, or when and where they will be able to purchase edibles, […]
