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 […]
Senate reform ‘an interesting experiment,’ says Sen. Nancy Ruth on her way out the door
Newly retired Senator Nancy Ruth says the Senate reforms being made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are an experiment in progress, but because politics thrives on power, she says the Upper Chamber is destined for an eternal power struggle under its current design. “I think the direction is unclear. It’s an interesting experiment,” said Nancy Ruth […]
Canada shaped China’s new domestic abuse law: feds
Canada’s federal government helped to guide China through the drafting of its first national domestic abuse law passed late last year, even fielding a visit from top Chinese lawmakers working on the project. Chinese officials “turned to Canada for inspiration” in the early stages of drafting the legislation, which explicitly outlaws physical and psychological abuse […]
Ottawa welcomes Afghanistan’s fourth-ever female ambassador
At 54 years of age, Shinkai Karokhail has had a life filled with loss, hardship, and triumph, but most of all, with compassion. Afghanistan’s fourth-ever female ambassador is a cancer survivor, a refugee, and a tireless advocate for women’s and human rights. She spent nearly 20 years in exile from her country as a refugee […]
New task force aims for diverse public service where everyone feels welcome
It’s important not only for the federal public service to be comprised of a fair representation of Canada’s various kinds of people, but also that these employees feel comfortable in their surroundings, says the head of Canada’s largest public service union. Robyn Benson, president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), said this is […]
