Ukraine has the spotlight, but U.S. still dominates for the top 50 influencing Canada’s foreign policy
Russia’s renewed aggression in Ukraine has pushed Canadian foreign policy back in focus—forcing a response from those who have some influence over its creation. At the centre of the response to the crisis is Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who one former diplomat said is showing “real leadership and real dynamism that is often lacking […]
The ‘end of certainty’ has made life more difficult for government, but Trudeau calls for addressing challenges ‘head on’
Canadians’ lives have been touched by successive crises, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the “Freedom Convoy” that descended on the nation’s capital, and the situation overseas in Ukraine that has already seen millions of people displaced, all desperately trying to avoid the onslaught of the Russian invasion. “We live in an uncertain world where it’s […]
Climate policies could prove key ‘wedge’ in Conservative leadership race, say strategists
The race to determine the next Conservative Party leader could “hinge” on candidates’ climate policies, from carbon pricing and beyond, say strategists, with early front-runner Pierre Poilievre already on the anti-carbon tax offensive. “Climate change policy is going to be a bit of a litmus test … it’s important to voters to see the Conservative […]
Devil’s in the details: experts await Liberal plan to protect Quebec seats, but some question the move
The Liberal government signalled its intent to intervene to protect Quebec’s seats in the ongoing electoral redistribution process, but as experts weigh the implications, some question the province’s continued preferential treatment. “I don’t know exactly what the government will propose about this … but politically, I think there could be a pushback, especially from provinces […]
Moscow’s aggression brings about Putin’s worst fears of NATO expansion, says Latvian defence official
Amid Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine, Ottawa has recommitted to its NATO deployment in Latvia—a move some are calling to be made permanent—with Moscow’s aggression empowering the military alliance whose future was in question only a few years ago. While in Latvia during a five-day European trip, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) announced on […]
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy asks Canada to ‘do more’ and impose no-fly zone over Ukraine
In his address to Parliament Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked the Government of Canada and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to “do more” for the people of Ukraine, including imposing greater sanctions on Russia and closing the airspace over Ukraine to Russian aircraft and missiles. “Please take greater part in these efforts. Justin, and all […]
Feds ask Parliamentarians to approve $190.3-billion of $397.6-billion main spending estimates so far for 2022-2023
The government is asking Parliamentarians to approve $190.3-billion out of a total $397.6-billion in spending for the 2022-23 fiscal year, a nearly $50-billion jump over last year’s main spending estimates. In the last Parliament, the main estimates presented $142-billion requiring parliamentary approval. The 2021-22 main estimates kicked off with a total $342.2-billion, but following additional […]
New Tory leader needs to prioritize GTA region in next election to win, say former Conservative candidates
If the Conservatives want to form government after the next federal election, they will have to treat the 57 GTA ridings as a priority, and not as a “lost cause” like they did in recent general elections, says a group of influential GTA Conservative candidates from 2021. “The GTA candidates of record from the 2021 […]
‘There seemed to be this complete loss of faith in institutions’: Canadian journalists talk about covering ‘Freedom Convoy’
A number of leading Canadian journalists who covered the ‘Freedom Convoy’ came together last week to discuss how media should be covering those who have lost faith in the media, and who are absolutely determined to have their voices heard. Carleton University hosted the “Journalism Under Siege” panel discussion, moderated by CBC Ottawa journalist Adrian […]
Conservatives to finalize nomination rules for incumbent MPs before leadership election to avoid political pressure to support any one leadership candidate, say Tories
The Conservative Party’s national council will finalize the nomination rules for 119 ridings represented by its MPs before the election of the new leader and unheld ridings after the leadership election, giving independence to MPs to decide without any political pressure who they want to support for the party’s top job. “Our priority is working […]
