Green Party big on recycling faux-progressive status quo
OTTAWA—As the House finishes up its final weeks before campaign season kicks off, the Green Party is crossing every extremity in the hope that they are, indeed, starting to ride a wave. This is especially true as the Conservatives and Liberals drag each other in the media for attention—and eventual votes—and the NDP continues to […]
If this week’s dumb shrieking battles are any sign, this election won’t be pretty
OTTAWA—The past week provided a sadly predictable look ahead at this fall’s federal election. Dynamism was eschewed for dumb shrieking battles that we have seen a million times before and ultimately advance nothing but the same old partisan pepper spray. Sprinkle in the silly and you get a feel for what is coming our way. […]
It’s about time Senate takes action on Sen. Beyak and her letters
It’s been 17 months since media outlets including The Walrus and Global News drew public attention to letters containing racism towards Indigenous people that Ontario Senator Lynn Beyak had published on her official Senate website. They included statements that Indigenous people in Canada “wait until the government gives them stuff,” and should be “grateful” for […]
Expect ‘ugly’ and ‘intense’ election campaign in the fall, fuelled by anger, say Liberal and NDP MPs
With the upcoming election campaign expected to officially start in about four months, Liberal and NDP MPs are warning that it will be ugly and disruptive and predict that racist elements or “political forces that operate and are fuelled by anger” will use disruptive tactics in the October election. “I think things are going to […]
Broad scope needed for Canada’s upcoming Athena SWAN program, say stakeholders
A pilot program the government is expected to launch soon to boost diversity in the research ranks should include a variety of institutions in order to have the impact the feds intend, says two organizations representing post-secondary institutions at the national level. Universities have varying needs and challenges when it comes to achieving equity goals, […]
Liberals, Conservatives playing in politically ‘dangerous field’ by using racism as tool to mobilize their support bases, says Nanos
The governing Liberals and opposition Conservatives are playing in a politically dangerous field by using the divisive issue of racism as a tool to mobilize their support bases for the next election, which could backfire resulting in “mutually assured destruction” for both federal parties, says a leading political analyst. “We’re seeing an increase in weaponization […]
Racism isn’t new in Canada or its politics, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise
Anyone who is mesmerized about the apparent rise of racism in Canada needs to get out of their undoubtedly white bubble. The headline-grabbing Ekos Research poll released April 15 merely solidified what people of colour have been saying for decades: you don’t have to look beyond Canada’s borders to find prejudice and bigotry against people […]
Name calling (on either side) isn’t going to help fix our immigration issues
OTTAWA—The 2019 federal election is one where the issue of immigration will feature prominently both with open debate and, unfortunately, a slew of coded language. Last week, I had the opportunity to participate in the Atlantic Immigration Summit in St. John’s, N.L., and I was struck by how far we still have to go to […]
French Embassy’s Ambassador for a Day program aims to shatter glass ceiling
France’s first female ambassador to Canada, Kareen Rispal, says she’s “fighting to have more women ambassadors” in the field, but saw a lack of role models available to young professionals starting their careers. To encourage participation, it’s important for those early in their careers to not simply see women in positions of power, but be […]
Bring in quotas, financial incentives to get more women to run, says House committee
Federal parties and riding associations should set goals and report publicly on their efforts to recruit women as candidates, as well as set quotas for the number of women they field as candidates, recommends a new House committee report, which also suggests giving parties financial incentives to get more women to run. As well, House […]
