Wynne’s Ford-as-Trump portrayal could backfire
OTTAWA—In politics, as in sport sometimes, a rally cry based around desperation can be a powerful motivational tool that changes a game or series. Many times we have heard an NHL hockey coach say of his players: “they have to play as if their backs are against the wall.” Then the team in question goes […]
The systemic subterfuge of Trump’s news firehose
In the days when the news cycle was still a cycle and not a vortex, the cliché among critics and many alumni was that the White House press corps was constrained by spoon-feeding. They were tethered by proximity, competition, and the obligations of access to the administration’s political agenda, from daily thematic policy roll-outs to […]
Ambrose’s ex-chief of staff lands new Queen Street job
Garry Keller, the former chief of staff to interim Conservative Party leader Rona Ambrose, has taken up a new job as a vice-president at government relations firm StrategyCorp. “Really pleased to be joining the excellent team @StrategyCorp in their Ottawa office as a vice president. Looking forward to working with a great group of smart […]
Risking her life, Montreal reporter writes alternative narrative of Rwandan genocide
In a new book published just before this week’s 24th anniversary of the start of the Rwandan genocide, Montreal-based freelance broadcast and print reporter Judi Rever is challenging the dominant narrative of the genocide, despite threats she says she’s received meant to silence her. The oft-told story of the genocide is that for about 100 days […]
Users deserve more blame in Facebook data-mining scandal
With the outrage and fury about the recent revelations around Cambridge Analytica’s breach of Facebook data, some calming is in order, with a view to putting the blame where it belongs: on subscribers. This is not first time Facebook has been breached. It seems that users are sufficiently addicted to social media to risk being hacked, […]
What Canadian media and government can learn from Black Panther movie
The fact that Black Panther has grossed over $1-billion at the box office reflects the deep yearning among racialized communities to see themselves positively portrayed in the media. “Those of us who are not white have considerably more trouble not only finding representation of ourselves in mass media and other arenas of public life, but […]
Free press, without government subsidy, is the best solution
Re: “Support for Canadian journalism shouldn’t come in the form of a cheque,” (The Hill Times, March 7, p. 8). Bravo! Your stance on government support is laudable, especially the concluding paragraph: “People can tout free speech, but the government doesn’t have to fund your right to say anything. And the same goes for the media. […]
Government support for Canadian journalism shouldn’t come in the form of a cheque
The Liberals’ third federal budget followed through on rumours the financial plan would include support for the media. In the days leading up to the budget, The Toronto Star said the feds were going to be doling out $50-million to community media projects, which came to pass when the document was tabled on Feb. 27. […]
Former Senator Bert ‘Determination’ Brown dies
Former Conservative Alberta Senator Bert Brown died at the age of 79, the CBC reported Feb. 14. “Saddened to hear about the passing of Bert Brown, a proud Albertan and Canadian. I admired and respected Bert and his passion for public service—always striving to make a positive difference. Thoughts are with his family and many […]
Kinsella’s ‘affidavits’ column prompts speculation, PM, party leaders asked about sexual conduct as #MeToo hits the Hill
In response to some criticism that he fanned the flames of Ottawa’s rumour mill in a column he penned featuring a sensational story of a “very powerful” politician who used affidavits to silence victims, Warren Kinsella says his assertions are true and he received so much reaction from people because they’ve heard “similar allegations.” “I […]
