Adding Indigenous languages to ballots a step toward reconciliation: Chief Electoral Officer
Enabling the use of Indigenous languages in the federal electoral process is “at the core of reconciliation,” says Chief Electoral Officer Stéphane Perrault, but doing so would require sorting out details around which languages to incorporate, where, and how, and would likely mean amending the Canada Elections Act. “The presence of Indigenous languages at the […]
Jason Kenney fights to keep dancing to the tune he composed
OTTAWA—Many, many years ago, when I was a young political staffer, I had to travel to Alberta to get then-Progressive Conservative premier Don Getty to sign an important document. Worn down from travel and not fully alert, I did not notice that I had uncapped the pen that would be used to sign the material […]
Mixed reviews for Liberal solution to protect Quebec seats
The Trudeau government recently tabled its solution to stop Quebec from losing a seat in this year’s riding redistribution process, but the proposal, which would set a new minimum seat count for provinces, is getting mixed reviews from opposition MPs. “This is a good step in the right direction,” said NDP MP Daniel Blaikie […]
If Kenney loses his leadership review, he will be the second casualty of populist uprising after O’Toole, say politicos
If Alberta Premier Jason Kenney loses his May 18 leadership review, he will be the second casualty of the populist uprising after Erin O’Toole, who was ousted as Conservative party leader in early February, say politicos. “He’d [Jason Kenney] have to get in line after Erin O’Toole,” said Nik Nanos, founder of Nanos Research. “Erin […]
What’s up with gas? Explaining the global and local politics behind the price at the pump
In the wake of rising oil and gas prices, Conservative politicians have been urging the government to decrease its dependence on oil imports and ramp up Canadian production, but Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says the opposition is “playing politics.” Gas prices have been climbing steadily for months now, but in the last two weeks, Canadians […]
Canada’s greater potential, bigger strengths are hydrogen and fuel cells technology
TORONTO—If it plays its cards right, Canada should benefit much more from pursuing an aggressive strategy for hydrogen and fuel cells than it would from pinning its hopes on electric vehicle battery plants and battery-ready minerals. This is not an either-or-choice. We should do what we can to be part of the battery-powered future. But […]
Bloc bill seeks to protect Quebec seats as riding redraw gets underway
The Bloc Québécois has begun its push to protect Quebec’s share of seats in the House of Commons through a new private member’s bill from MP Martin Champoux, following leader Yves-François Blanchet’s vow to “unleash the fires of hell” if the province loses a seat through the now-ongoing electoral redistribution process. Tabled on Feb. 8, […]
To the protesters: it’s not about you
I’d like to say to all the protesters: the public health restrictions obviously affect you, but they are not about you. Your freedom is very important. But nobody is actually trying to take it away, or to control you. None of us likes the restrictions, but unfortunately, they are necessary for protection because of the […]
Nova Scotia MPs receive packages containing chemical irritants
Three Liberal and two Conservative Nova Scotia MPs were on the receiving end of similar suspicious envelopes containing chemicals two weeks ago, and one staffer ended up being taken to hospital as a result, prompting Nova Scotia MPs to urge people to “pay attention to what’s happening in this country.” CBC News also reported last […]
Alberta: problem child of Confederation
TORONTO—Unlike the founding provinces of Confederation, Alberta was created by the federal government. Although Ottawa granted Alberta control of its natural resources in 1930, no other English Canadian province has whined as much about the federal system. Equalization is the provincial government’s current leading grievance. Alberta’s governments have fought Ottawa for over a century. The […]
