Proportional representation is the little engine that couldn’t
KAMOURASKA, QUE.—It is a predictable result of any Canadian election. The instant the polls close and the results are known, every pundit within howling distance of the legislature or parliament tears apart the first-past-the-post system. So, in the last few weeks, the Quebec media has been filled with commentary about the need for proportional representation […]
Nunavut’s ambitious land use plan is vital for the future of the territory
Nunavut is nearing the end of a long territory-wide land use planning process with broad implications for Canada and the world. It is vital that we complete it. After 15 years, the Nunavut Planning Commission has started final public hearings and will submit a recommended draft plan early next year to the three entities that will […]
Poilievre has potential to turn Tory tides in seat-rich Quebec, say strategists
Recent public opinion polls point to Quebec as an electoral weak spot for the Tories, but while new Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre may have gotten off to a rocky start among Quebecers with the handling of former Quebec lieutenant Alain Rayes’ caucus exit, strategists argue Poilievre’s bilingualism, universal pitch, and decisions since—including naming two Quebecers […]
Canadians ‘truly in a climate crisis’ as Atlantic Canada continues to rebuild from Hurricane Fiona two weeks later, say ministers, MPs
National Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier, whose remote Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Que., riding was devastated by Hurricane Fiona two weeks ago, says Canadians are “truly in a crisis—a climate crisis.” Lebouthillier said “after experiencing this storm, it’s impossible not to believe in the climate crisis and that’s what some of my constituents are telling me,” as experts […]
Continued federal-provincial faceoff not a winning strategy for the country
OTTAWA—This week has the potential to be a fascinating and important week in Canadian politics. Why? With a just re-elected Coalition Avenir Québec government in Quebec under Premier François Legault and the potential selection of Danielle Smith as leader of the governing United Conservative Party in Alberta, we could see an uptick in federal-provincial friction. […]
‘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 […]
