It’s time to extend pre-clearance facilities at Canada-U.S. border to enhance economic growth
Canada is a trading nation. And while we look to develop other trading partners, we musn’t forget that America remains our main dance partner. But while Canadians clearly support diversifying the markets we do business in, they also know that this country’s fate will forever be tied geographically, economically and culturally to the United States. […]
The real impact of terrorism: shattered lives
OTTAWA—In the aftermath of a terrorist attack we all go through a typical laundry list of questions. Who is behind this act and did he act alone? Are there others out there? What will he be charged with? What can we do to prevent future attacks? Why is this happening? These are, of course, good […]
Response to New York, Las Vegas attacks shows faulty logic
OTTAWA—In the wake of the Halloween day terror attack in New York City, we had the immediate media overreaction the minute it was gleaned that the alleged perpetrator, Sayfullo Saipov, was inspired by Daesh (the militant group also known as ISIS, ISIL, and Islamic State). United States President Donald Trump was at his twittering best […]
Overseas military deployment and terrorism: a mixed bag
I suppose that in many ways none of this should be unexpected. Its obviousness does not make it right, however. There are lots of things that we do not question that are nevertheless the wrong way of looking at things. I am referring here to the belief that we are at ‘war with terrorism’. The […]
What we know about the attack in Manhattan so far
The city of New York, the site of the world-changing events of 9/11, appears to have suffered its worst single attack of terrorism since that fateful date 16 years ago. A man drove a rented Home Depot truck onto a pedestrian pathway in Lower Manhattan, striking cyclists and killing at least eight (six were declared […]
Liberals supporting the RCMP with new funding
Re: “Canada’s law enforcement and security services are in crisis,” (The Hill Times, Oct. 30, p. 13). I’m writing to correct the inaccurate statements NDP MP Wayne Stetski made in The Hill Times with respect to the changes underway at the RCMP. It is a time of change at the force. Our government is working […]
We live in a world where we jump to terrorism conclusions too fast
OTTAWA—There is no question that the world has terrorism on the brain. So much has changed since 9/11 that we are both more attuned to and frightened by the spectre of terrorism that it has affected our ability to accurately measure what is happening and, perhaps more importantly, what we are doing about it. This, […]
Why the phrase ‘war on terrorism’ is ill thought
It is rare that one can look back on something composed years ago and see it as relevant today as it was thought to be back then. So much changes as new variables enter into play and our own understanding and appreciation for phenomena matures to reflect these new additions. That is indeed a good […]
Takeaways so far from the terrorist attack in Edmonton
It has been a little more than a week and a half since Canada suffered its latest, and thankfully still rare, terrorist attack. A 30-year-old Somali refugee named Abdulahi Sharif hit and stabbed an Edmonton police officer before leading authorities on a race through the city’s streets where he struck four pedestrians before he was […]
Why do we have anti-terrorism laws if we are not going to use them?
OTTAWA—I don’t get it. We make a big deal of terrorism these days, too big in my opinion, but we have collectively decided that terrorism is a serious threat (which it is) and that we need to deal with it. Part of our response is making sure organizations like CSIS and the RCMP have enough […]
