‘Keep going’: Legault’s victory message suggests he’ll seek ‘more liberty’ and ‘more leeway’ with Ottawa, say observers
Quebec Premier François Legault swept into a second term on the evening of Oct. 3, and took to the stage for his victory speech saying voters sent “a strong message tonight: keep going!” While Legault did not speak directly about the federal government in his speech, political communications professor Mireille Lalancette said his message to […]
Federal parties should take the long view and avoid ‘shock and awe’ if proposed Alberta sovereignty act comes to pass, say politicos
With perceived United Conservative Party leadership front-runner Danielle Smith doubling down on her plans to introduce an Alberta sovereignty act if she becomes premier, a number of observers told The Hill Times that—if such an act comes to pass—federal parties, particularly the governing Liberals, should try to take a calming approach focused on listening, to […]
It is time Yukon became Canada’s 11th province?
KAMOURASKA, QUE.—I have returned home after a weeklong odyssey across the country to Whitehorse, 6,250 kilometres of driving with my daughter to move her to the Yukon capital. The last time I was in Whitehorse was October 2007, when I spent a week there doing outreach for the Department of Foreign Affairs at Yukon College […]
‘They’ve made a real mess’: north, south Ontario MPs upset over proposed riding redraw
Ontario MPs from north to south are speaking out against the province’s proposed new federal riding map, and are organizing to raise awareness and encourage turnout during the crucial, upcoming public hearing process—the timing of which is itself a concern, as MPs worry overlap with municipal elections in the province could hinder community feedback. Released […]
RCMP Act must be ‘carefully examined’ to protect police independence from political interference, says senior civilian Mountie
A former director of communications for the RCMP says Parliamentarians should re-examine the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act to ensure there’s appropriate protection from political interference, in an appearance at the Nova Scotia mass shooting parliamentary committee probe. Lia Scanlan told the committee she was not familiar with the language in the RCMP Act, but […]
Loss of eastern seat, division of municipalities under fire in proposed Quebec riding redraw
The first draft of Quebec’s new federal electoral map is out, and it’s raising the eyebrows of federal and local politicians who are concerned by the proposed loss of a riding in eastern Quebec and decisions to split multiple municipalities between ridings. “Although I understand the role and objectives of the commission, in particular to […]
As Liberals’ support drops, Grit MPs to hold caucus retreat next month in New Brunswick to talk strategy
With the backdrop of the Trudeau government’s waning support in the public opinion polls and the NDP threatening to withdraw support under the supply-and-confidence agreement, the 158-member national Liberal caucus will congregate in New Brunswick next month to plot strategy for the fall sitting of Parliament, say Liberal MPs. It will be the first in-person […]
Supporting and empowering immigrants will only help Quebec’s prosperity
Four billion dollars. That’s how much the Government of Quebec is spending to attract 170,000 workers over the next four years to address critical labour shortages across numerous sectors like health care, child care, IT, engineering, and construction. Jean Boulet, the minister of employment, stated the province’s labour shortage would likely reach 1.4 million vacant […]
Cycling Nova Scotia is an antidote to skepticism
MONTREAL—In the Maritimes, everyone has a story. No matter where you go, there is someone with an opinion. And Maritimers like to talk. No shrinking violets, they. I am back from two weeks in Nova Scotia, where I encountered everyone from the premier to servers in small, out-of-the-way cafés. I was first in Halifax, then […]
Nova Scotia is the ‘in’ place to be
YARMOUTH, N.S.—Tim Houston is ebullient. “We are rockin’ and rollin’ here. The economy is booming, we have topped up on our immigration numbers the last few years, and people are moving back in droves.” Houston should know, as the tall, personable 52-year old accountant is the premier of this province. He must certainly feel he was […]
