Bowling alone in the White House
In a 1995 essay, Bowling Alone: America’s Declining Social Capital, political scientist Robert Putnam lamented a decline in the social interaction that is so integral to civic engagement, democracy, and a country’s fundamental cultural fabric. In the U.S. he saw people disengaging from clubs, associations, voluntary organizations, even the Boy Scouts. In his view, the […]
Electoral reform agenda may be over, but democratic reform is not
The electoral reform agenda has been a long and emotional roller coaster for many, but the ride now appears to be over. After months of consultations, meetings, town halls, surveys, discussions, and debates, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the new Minister for Democratic Institutions, Karina Gould, that “changing the electoral system will not be in your mandate.” […]
Women’s March on Washington a model for the Trump era
The protests and demonstrations continue apace in these first few days of the Trump administration, the most recent focusing on the “Muslim ban” executive order. It is too early to say which ones might move the levers of government, but with the Women’s and Sisters’ Marches the day after the presidential inauguration, a model has […]
MPs on Trump’s ban and Canada’s diversity during Jan. 31 emergency debate:
Liberal MP Salma Zahid (Scarborough Centre, Ont): “Take this past weekend, for example. On this one weekend alone, I attended the following: the Lunar New Year celebrations with the Chinese community and with the Buddhist community at a Buddhist temple; the debut of a documentary exploring the contributions of the Pakistani diaspora in Canada; […]
PM, Monsef should have shown up to women’s march
OTTAWA—Reported to be one of the most powerful protests in American history, the Women’s March on Washington successfully galvanized more than two million people around the world. On Jan. 21, celebrities, politicians, academics, activists, families, seniors, and children spilled into the streets to stand up and speak out against injustice. In Ottawa alone, thousands of […]
After the international Women’s Marches, what next?
OTTAWA—On Jan. 21, it’s estimated that 4.8 million people in the United States and around the world, including protesters in Ottawa, participated in marches in support of causes they believed to be threatened by Donald Trump’s presidency. For many participants, this was their first experience in political activity beyond voting. The American organizers of the Women’s Marches are […]
You want to counter misogyny? Get involved in electoral politics
OTTAWA—Much ado has been made about the strong participation by both women and men at the various Women’s Marches held after Donald Trump’s inauguration. There’s no doubt that the turnout took many by surprise, including some of the organizers. Aside from the thousands that showed up, the intergenerational and ethnocultural diversity was truly impressive, as […]
After the Women’s Marches, what next?
OTTAWA—On Jan. 21, it’s estimated that 4.8 million people in the United States and around the world, including protesters in Ottawa, participated in marches in support of causes they believed to be threatened by Donald Trump’s presidency. For many participants, this was their first experience in political activity beyond voting. The American organizers of the Women’s Marches are […]
Why we flew to Washington, D.C. to take part in the Women’s March
TORONTO—At the Women’s March on Washington, D.C., we met three women from Alaska, Maryland and Massachusetts, respectively. The American women were intrigued upon learning we were Canadian and asked about “JT,” as he’s commonly referred to down there. They told us we were lucky to have a feminist prime minister and wondered if perhaps Canada […]
For Canada, Trump inauguration about making contacts, being a ‘good neighbour’
Washington, D.C. is bracing for an estimated one million people to be in town for U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, and Canadians will be among those in attendance at official and unofficial inauguration weekend events, and surrounding meetings and marches. New federal Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland (University-Rosedale, Ont.) will be attending […]
