Cost of inaction on low-carbon transition far outweighs the scale of investment
Ottawa residents, including myself, breathed a sigh of relief this spring when we saw only heavy rain and not a repeat of last year’s record flooding along the Ottawa River. Our relief, though, may only be temporary because once-in-a-lifetime floods, wildfires, and hailstorms are becoming much more frequent than 30 years ago. With Canada warming […]
The future of digital ID depends on earning the confidence of Canadians
Throughout this year, measures instituted to control the COVID-19 pandemic have placed a spotlight on the state of digital readiness and the ability—or inability—for citizens, businesses, and governments to access or provide key services, conduct business, and interact securely online. These events have exposed gaps in our system, revealing and emphasizing a disparity between organizations […]
How to fix the Canadian Forces’ grievance system
OTTAWA—The Canadian Forces grievance process has been in a shambles for years, mostly attributable to excessive delay. In 1998, the former chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, Antonio Lamer, in his first independent review of the National Defence Act wrote, “Soldiers are not second-class citizens. They are entitled to be treated with respect, […]
O’Toole’s balancing act
OAKVILLE, ONT.—Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole better have a good sense of balance because he’ll have to perform a delicate tightrope act. To put that in a less metaphorical way, O’Toole’s main job as leader will be to figure out how he can win over new supporters to his cause without alienating elements of his already […]
Reigniting the Canadian economy: the crucial role of technology in a time of monumental change
Looking back, COVID-19 has made the world of just a few months ago seem like a distant memory. Looking forward, it is very easy to be overwhelmed by what seems like a never-ending sea of uncertainty. The impact of disruptions to the Canadian economy will likely be felt for years to come as our governments […]
Trudeau Liberals failing to stand up to MBS and Saudi Arabia
TORONTO—The Trudeau Liberals’ weak stance towards Saudi Arabia undermines any promise to assert Canada as a principled democracy in an increasingly illiberal world. Canada is dithering on core values of human rights and freedom by not responding to the antics of Saudi Arabia’s infamous Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, or MBS. Ottawa just suspended export […]
Bolivia: a free and fair election
LONDON, U.K.—The quotation is usually given as “Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely,” but Lord Acton’s original remark went on to say: “Great men are almost always bad men.” And so they are. This is not to say that all bad men in power are also great men. President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, in power […]
Veterans Affairs’ backlog and wait-times ‘a perfect storm’
OTTAWA—The National Council of Veteran Associations in Canada (NCVA) continues to call for dramatic and innovative steps to be taken by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) to address the current unacceptable backlog and turnaround times experienced with respect to veterans’ disability claims. As Veterans Affairs Deputy Minister Walt Natynczyk stated before the House Veterans Affairs Committee […]
We are being cheap with our children
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed deep flaws in our social policy. The most vulnerable amongst us have borne the brunt of the health, economic, and social crisis. This includes Canadian children who have seen their situation worsen, in the face of an existing crisis of their well-being before the pandemic. As we move towards relaunching […]
Global COVID-19 aid will help keep the world from missing out on students’ potential: reader
The world is witnessing the largest global catastrophe since the Second World War due to the coronavirus pandemic. In April 2020, 94 per cent of the world’s student population were affected by school closures, with up to 99 percent in low- and middle-income countries. An increase in school and college dropouts is anticipated this year […]
