Women in Canada watched U.S. election aghast
OTTAWA—It’s a girl! These were the words for the balloons that were supposed to be released at Hillary Clinton’s victory party, celebrating the election of the first female president of the United States. This anticipated milestone—more than 230 years in the making—followed centuries of women’s activism, decades of smaller but significant breakthroughs, many millions of […]
Sexism rears ugly head in Canadian politics again
OTTAWA—As the Trump campaign has descended to new lows that even the most cynical politicians could not have anticipated, we are having our own mini-dramas here in Canada. Thankfully, no one has been called a “nasty woman,” but perhaps that would have been the better of the options. Donald Trump’s now trademark defensive comment has […]
Female farmers face climate change risks
Trenia Arana had been farming seven acres of land in central Nicaragua. But after years of severe drought, crop failures and growing debt, she finally decided to take up a job as a housekeeper last year. With her husband working in neighbouring Costa Rica, Trenia’s 11-year-old son must now tend to the family gardens before […]
Raitt an appealing candidate for Conservative leader
Lisa Raitt has not yet officially entered the Conservative leadership race, but it all but seems inevitable that she will. She has the most appealing human narrative of all the putative and actual contenders for this job. While her lack of French is a major vulnerability for her candidacy, the rest of her composite sketch […]
‘I’m a serious player,’ Trost says he’s in Conservative leadership race to win, can sell social conservatism
Brad Trost is someone who questions the science of climate change, is ready to fight for the rights of the unborn, and will stand up for traditional marriage—and he says these are things that separate him from others running for the Conservative leadership. In an interview last week with The Hill Times, the Conservative MP […]
It’s Canada’s time to lead on women’s rights at home, abroad
TORONTO—Maybe it takes a rock star to remind us of who we are as Canadians and what we are capable of. At the recent meeting of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, U2 lead singer Bono declared “the world needs more Canada.” These words were spoken at an urgent time for many of the world’s women and […]
Canadians more tolerant than ever, but also worried about change
TORONTO—Are Canadians more bigoted and racist today than they were in the past? The question pops up frequently in media reports and talk shows. However, the contexts we are trying to compare are completely different and we risk comparing apples with oranges. If anything, I believe that Canadians are now more confused and scared than they […]
Yes, a year, and a regime change, can really make a difference
OTTAWA—Fifty-one weeks ago, parties were entering the final stretch of a 10-week federal election campaign, the longest in Canada’s history. With the writ having dropped in the dead heat of summer, candidates had knocked on doors for months as they attempted to get on the radar of families preparing for the back-to-school frenzy and the […]
‘This is the top priority,’ Leitch sticks to ‘Canadian-values’ issue in crowded leadership campaign
PARLIAMENT HILL—Kellie Leitch has made no attempt—at least not yet—to change the channel on her controversial push to have a national discussion about what “Canadian values” are and test prospective immigrants against such standards as she seeks to become her party’s Conservative leader. In fact, when talking to reporters in the House foyer following Question […]
Politics this morning: Women’s History Month kicks off with several government-supported events
Today is Monday, Oct. 3 October is Women’s History Month, and Patty Hajdu, minister of Status of Women, will draw attention to this by delivering remarks at a celebratory event hosted by Status of Women Canada at 1 Wellington Street in Ottawa at 4 p.m. According to a press release from Status of Women Canada, […]
