Michaëlle Jean a new look for Canada on the world stage
Michaëlle Jean becoming the new secretary general of La Francophonie opens a new era and a new realization for our place in the world. On the world stage, she is a new face for Canada and a new face of the new Canada. And chances are it was not just Canada that was selected for […]
Toronto mayoralty race a lesson for federal election
TORONTO—Imagine an election with a strong-minded and controversial conservative incumbent, up against two progressive candidates—a popular liberal with wide appeal and a social democrat who once led the polls, but has been in third place for a while. That was the lead-up to the Toronto mayor’s election and is of course a similar story line […]
Iraq war could trigger a snap fall election
So we’re off to war and the Prime Minister was not able to get the opposition parties to support his motion to send fighter jets and troops to Iraq. More accurately, though, he didn’t make any effort to get their support and eschewed the long-term practice of sharing information with the public and the opposition. […]
Information Technology
What if pick-and-pay TV costs you more?
OTTAWA—The move from wholesale bundles to total retail could be more costly to consumers. It’s a case of be careful what you wish for: Skinny basic. Pick-and-pay. Pick-and-pack. Build-your-own. Stand-alone. Bundle. Unbundle. Multi-platform. Alternative platforms. Multi-screen viewing. Digitize. OTT, or, over the top. These are some of the key buzzwords in the current CRTC […]
We’re clearly in post-Jack Layton period
OTTAWA—Jack and Olivia have left the building now. We are clearly in the post-Layton period. He is around no more. Or is he? After Jack Layton’s tragic death in 2011, just a few months after his spectacular electoral success in that year’s federal election, New Democrats turned to Olivia Chow repeatedly to conjure up […]
Lessons from the Ontario election
OTTAWA—It was a surprising outcome to most people, including some of the best pollsters I spoke to earlier last week. And there are lots of lessons to be learned from it. The hardcore conservative message did not work as some thought it would. Ontario is not moving to the right as writers Darrell Bricker and […]
Yussuff new face in national politics, labour movement
He was the guest on CBC Radio’s Cross Country Check Up on Sunday afternoon and he’s done several interviews in all media including with Anna Maria Tremonti on CBC Radio. He has been the subject of much media coverage since his election on April 24. Hassan Yussuff has brought more positive media coverage to […]
Albright, Axworthy urge more multi-lateral involvement: Andrew Cardozo
They are politicos of an earlier time. They have the benefit of wisdom gained at the highest offices of their countries, and the freedom to think and speak without political constraints. But they are popular because their thoughts are sharp, focused, and progressive. Madeleine Albright and Lloyd Axworthy were American and Canadian counterparts during […]
Election reform bill needs cross country hearings
OTTAWA—Politicians can really be quite loveable. I had three politicos over to a third-year class I teach at Carleton University last week and we all had a love fest. Jim Armour of Summa Strategies and a director of communications to Stephen Harper in his opposition days was the Conservative speaker. For the New Democrats […]
