Andrew Scheer’s pick for committee chair rejected with good reason
In decrying his failed nomination of Conservative MP Rachel Harder as chair of the House Status of Women Committee, Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer is confusing freedom of expression with the basic qualifications required for any MP holding such a position. In the process he has revealed his disregard for the committee and women’s rights. […]
Feds should be proactive on UN report that slams Canada for its history of racist policies
HALIFAX—A shocking and damning report to the UN Human Rights Council says racism against black people in Canada “lies at the core” of many Canadian institutions. We’ve known that for decades and absolutely nothing has been done about it, but now the Government of Canada has the perfect reason to be proactive. An international call […]
Liberal MP Khalid calls launch of Islamophobia study ‘exciting,’ but says MPs need to do more to combat discrimination
The launch of a controversial House study on racism and religious discrimination in Canada is an “exciting time” for rookie Liberal MP Iqra Khalid, the sponsor of the motion, but she says MPs need to do more to combat discrimination. Ms. Khalid (Mississauga-Erin Mills, Ont.), who attracted tens of thousands of angry and hateful messages, […]
I have no problem with Rachael Harder as status of women critic
Andrew Scheer’s appointment of Rachael Harder as critic for Status of Women has created quite a stir in various media outlets, including The Hill Times. It couldn’t be that abortion providers and their advocates tilt opinions in these pages, could it? Because who says the criteria for a competent, thoughtful analysis of programs and legislation […]
Karina Gould is set to be Canada’s first federal cabinet minister to give birth
Democratic Institutions Minister Karina Gould has twice made federal cabinet history this year: first in January she became the youngest female ever to be appointed to cabinet, and on Sept. 5 the 30-year-old announced she was expecting a baby in March 2018, which will make her the first ever federal cabinet minister to give birth […]
The problem with identity politics
TORONTO—Just about everyone these days seems to have an opinion on identity politics, and it is almost universally negative. People on the right denigrate our shift to a politically correct culture where certain ways of talking and thinking are criticized as unacceptable and intolerant. They resent the so-called social justice warriors who self-righteously condemn their […]
Scheer’s shadow cabinet strikes reasonable balance
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer made some shrewd moves in picking his shadow cabinet last week—both in terms of the MPs he included and didn’t. Given how close Maxime Bernier was to becoming party leader in this year’s race, Mr. Scheer owed it to the party membership to give Mr. Bernier a prominent role in caucus. […]
Macdonald not unique, many past leaders flawed by today’s standards
I don’t want to justify Sir John A. Macdonald’s treatment of the Aboriginal peoples, but who in history, by today’s standards, has “clean hands?” For example, the Christian churches, for centuries, imposed unspeakable atrocities on so-called heretics (people who dared to disagree with church teachings)—burning at the stake, being cooked alive in metal containers, and […]
Liberal MPs consider pushing for government apology to black Canadians
Liberal MPs who are part of the federal black caucus of Parliamentarians say there has been talk about pushing the government to issue an apology for systematic racism committed against black Canadians over the country’s history. Liberal MP Greg Fergus (Hull-Aylmer, Que.) said an apology to Canada’s black communities for past injustices, along with a […]
The joyous rebuke and rainbow diplomacy of Montreal Pride
MONTREAL—“A small minority—angry, frustrated group of racists—don’t get to define who we are as a country.” It seemed so easy when Justin Trudeau said it. No prevaricating, no moral equivalence, no discernibly conflicted allegiances. Just a direct statement summing up the moral principle and stakes at hand. Trudeau made that statement about a looming Quebec […]
