While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Bruce Anderson.
It rarely rates a mention when polling asks “what’s the most important issue”, but only because people thought nothing could be done about it. I’m talking about polarization in politics and by extension, in society more broadly. Have a conversation with friends and acquaintances about the state of the world, and it often doesn’t take long before someone will mention...
The three federal by-elections that will happen in April are going to be consequential. They’ll determine whether the federal Liberal caucus will have enough members to carry votes in the House of Commons without relying on support from other parties.
The three federal by-elections that will happen in April are going to be consequential. They’ll determine whether the federal Liberal caucus will have enough members to carry votes in the House of Commons without relying on support from other parties.
After a few days of plaudits for sounding more mainstream, Poilievre reminds everyone he is a climate denier, and lacks an understanding of the global marketplace. The Trump administration has dented, but not ended, the drive towards emissions reduction. Capital investments in energy were expected to hit $3.3 trillion in 2025. Of every 3 dollars invested, 2 were going to...
Wide leads in Quebec, Ontario, Atlantic and BC. But the numbers have tightened, a lot, in Alberta and Saskatchewan. PM Carney's travels to market Canada is one reason why. In an election held now, 46% would cast a ballot for the Carney Liberals, and 31% say they would vote for Poilievre’s Conservatives. The Liberals have opened up a large lead...
Wide leads in Quebec, Ontario, Atlantic and BC. But the numbers have tightened, a lot, in Alberta and Saskatchewan. PM Carney's travels to market Canada is one reason why. In an election held now, 46% would cast a ballot for the Carney Liberals, and 31% say they would vote for Poilievre’s Conservatives. The Liberals have opened up a large lead...
Within hours of the US and Israeli attack on Iran and the assassination of that country's leader, Mark Carney was out with his initial thoughts on the conflict. Since then there's been some clarification on what he meant but there's also been some concern in Liberal circles. Chantal and Bruce have their thoughts on this and a lot more on...
Pierre Poilievre is getting generally pretty good reviews for his major speech yesterday outlining his vision for Canada-U.S. relations. Before a pretty Conservative business audience in Toronto, he also went after Donald Trump -- something he hasn't done in the past with so much vigour. It wasn't just what he said but the way he said it. Chantal Hebert and...
A new poll in the United States has Americans being told that there's a real chill from Canadians about their southern neighbours, and the word "hate" is used. Feelings are strong, but that strong? Bruce and Chantal on that, plus Alberta calls for a referendum on October 19th, but no question yet on separation. Plus more on leadership challenges for...
Remember that old saying "Stick a fork in him, he's done"? Some people are beginning to say that about Donald Trump, which may well work in Canada's favour. A little early or no? Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson on that, and also more on the possible Alberta referendum and Washington's supposed involvement.
Not even a week after Pierre Poilievre's resounding victory at the leadership review vote in Calgary, the Conservative leader found himself struggling. Why? Because he seemed offside on strategy with the often referred to "Godfather" of his party, Stephen Harper. It was a big week for Harper as he was in Ottawa to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his first...
What’s Canada’s secret weapon to supercharge our economy? Something most of us rarely think about until it’s missing: electricity. Affordable, reliable energy sits at the centre of how we live and work, and how our industries compete. That’s why it was encouraging to see the Prime Minister meeting with provincial and territorial premiers to talk about doubling the power grid...
Red Tories and blue Liberals have found someone they like better, and trust more. Poilievre’s speech reflected a recognition that he had to change to be competitive. Whether you liked it or didn’t, the speech Pierre Poilievre gave at the Conservative convention was, in a way, the speech Mark Carney made him give. In Calgary, at the convention of Conservatives...
Red Tories and blue Liberals have found someone they like better, and trust more. Poilievre’s speech reflected a recognition that he had to change to be competitive. Whether you liked it or didn’t, the speech Pierre Poilievre gave at the Conservative convention was, in a way, the speech Mark Carney made him give. In Calgary, at the convention of Conservatives...
Alberta is at the centre of two major stories as the week ends -- Pierre Poilievre is in Calgary tonight waiting for his party's verdict on his leadership. Meanwhile Albertans who want out of Canada say they have the White House on their side and some of the things being said by Trump officials would seem to agree. Bruce and...
Alberta is at the centre of two major stories as the week ends -- Pierre Poilievre is in Calgary tonight waiting for his party's verdict on his leadership. Meanwhile Albertans who want out of Canada say they have the White House on their side and some of the things being said by Trump officials would seem to agree. Bruce and...
Two thirds think the Conservatives should replace Poilievre, including 27% of Conservative voters. Since a noticeable dip in November, approval levels for the Carney government have reversed course and sit at 64% nationally. Approval is over 66% in every region but Alberta, where it stands at 57%. Approval is over 60% with every age group. These are results from the...
Two thirds think the Conservatives should replace Poilievre, including 27% of Conservative voters. Since a noticeable dip in November, approval levels for the Carney government have reversed course and sit at 64% nationally. Approval is over 66% in every region but Alberta, where it stands at 57%. Approval is over 60% with every age group. These are results from the...
First, Mark Carney said the rupture is real and our days tied to the US are over. Twenty four hours later, Donald Trump implies "You better be careful Mark". More Trumpian insults directed at Canada followed So now, its game on, the fight is real and who knows just where it will all end up. So while Carney and his...
The world heading into 2026 looks very different from a decade ago. New geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions, and surging energy demand — driven in part by AI and other energy-intensive industries — have countries scrambling to secure supply chains and shore up energy security. And while fossil fuels remain in that mix, the larger story is the rapid acceleration of...
Mark Carney was in China for the past few days and leaves with a pocketful of deals. Sounds good but how good is it? Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson are here with their assessment of risks and rewards. It's a busy Good Talk with more on the agenda, from the resignation of Quebec's premier to what exactly is Canada's position...
The year is off to a fast start, and so is the Good Talk panel. How worried should Canada be after the US invasion of Venezuela and Donald Trump's constant threats towards some of his closest neighbours? Also, Chrystia Freeland pulls the plug on her Ottawa career and sets up shop in Ukraine. All that and more in our first...
The year is off to a fast start, and so is the Good Talk panel. How worried should Canada be after the US invasion of Venezuela and Donald Trump's constant threats towards some of his closest neighbours? Also, Chrystia Freeland pulls the plug on her Ottawa career and sets up shop in Ukraine. All that and more in our first...
If Putin or Xi removed Maduro and said they would be running Venezuela for a while and selling Venezuela’s oil to make profits from it, would you celebrate this as a great step for freedom? Of course not.
Canada's next election will turn on how much people want to escape the chaos and division Trump brings to their lives. Conservatives have a horse bred for a different race. Trump was sworn into office again a little more than 300 days ago. In 300 days, Americans can hit the reset button. Most Canadians are really hoping that they do...
For the third time in a month a Conservative jumps ship, with two of them joining the Liberals. Will there be more? The Liberals need at least one more to form a majority. All this is happening while the government struggles to pass new legislation. Ottawa starts to close down for the holidays and Good Talk assesses where things stand...
Normally if people are down about the economy they are angry at government. It’s more complicated right now, as people see economic pressures from outside our borders. Other than tagging every scandal something-gate, It’d be hard to find a more overused phrase in modern political analysis than “it’s the economy, stupid”. In 1992, James Carville wrote it on a sign...
Normally if people are down about the economy they are angry at government. It’s more complicated right now, as people see economic pressures from outside our borders. Other than tagging every scandal something-gate, It’d be hard to find a more overused phrase in modern political analysis than “it’s the economy, stupid”. In 1992, James Carville wrote it on a sign...
A week ago the talk was all about pipelines. Remember those days? Things have changed a lot in a mere seven days. It's been quite the week, especially in Quebec, where there are lessons for politicians across the country. Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson join the virtual discussion table again for some Good Talk.
When trying to image outcomes of US presidential elections, it’s normal to focus on a list of about 6-7swing states and more or less ignore the rest. What happens in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Michigan pretty much decide which candidate gets the required number of electoral college votes and moves into the White House. But a lot...
When trying to image outcomes of US presidential elections, it’s normal to focus on a list of about 6-7swing states and more or less ignore the rest. What happens in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Michigan pretty much decide which candidate gets the required number of electoral college votes and moves into the White House. But a lot...
Twelve hundred people were on their feet in Calgary yesterday applauding Mark Carney and Danielle Smith for the deal they signed that could lead to a new pipeline to move Alberta oil to markets. But there was a cost too ...Carney lost a minister, and the BC government and indigenous groups are more than a little bit upset. What happens...
On St. Jean Baptiste Day in 1970, my father took my brother Rick and me to Montreal from where we lived in Valleyfield, to watch the annual parade celebrating Quebec’s national pride.
Another week where there's lots to talk about with Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson. The US is playing hardball through its ambassador to Canada over which jet fighter we "must" buy, while Sweden sends its King and Queen to push its option. And then there's the pipeline story -- could a deal between Ottawa and Alberta be close on that...
69% think the opposition parties should let the budget pass, including 73% on the left and 51% on the right. Hardly fertile ground for the NDP and the CPC. As the House of Commons approaches confidence votes on Mark Carney’s first budget, they know that to force an election would be to court the ire of the public. It may...
69% think the opposition parties should let the budget pass, including 73% on the left and 51% on the right. Hardly fertile ground for the NDP and the CPC. As the House of Commons approaches confidence votes on Mark Carney’s first budget, they know that to force an election would be to court the ire of the public. It may...
The numbers certainly conclude that if all opposition MPs vote against the budget then the government will fall. But will that happen and will it happen next week? All that on the heels of the budget and the latest major projects list? That and this question -- Is Mark Carney still green? All this with Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson...
Betting on Poilievre is betting that someone who’s been in politics for 20 years will grow more popular, and the odds tell us that only rarely happens. The list of politicians who gain popularity after 20 years in public life is short. When it happens, it involves a major change in the politician, or a bigger change in the world...
Betting on Poilievre is betting that someone who’s been in politics for 20 years will grow more popular, and the odds tell us that only rarely happens. The list of politicians who gain popularity after 20 years in public life is short. When it happens, it involves a major change in the politician, or a bigger change in the world...
Budgets, especially minority government budgets, always bring a degree of parliamentary drama. But this week, a Conservative member added to the excitement by crossing the floor to join the Liberals. But at the end of the day, does it make a difference? That and a lot more with Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson joining Good Talk for their weekly commentary.
People can make polling sound complicated, or not. Here’s my elevator ready version of how it works in Canadian elections. It has held up pretty well over the years. One third won’t vote. One third already always know which party they will vote for. Elections are decided by the other third. The swing voters. Swing voters don’t follow politics every...
As if there isn't enough going on with trade talks broken down with the U.S., new trade possibilities with China, and a crucial budget set for Tuesday, Canadians could be facing an election within a week. And then there's the case of "Profanity Pete" the US Ambassador to Canada. Let's get some analysis with Bruce Anderson and Chantal Hebert as...
Donald Trump has terminated the trade talks with Canada after Ontario ads running in the U.S. use Ronald Reagan's voice condemning tariffs. Is this serious or just Trump bluster? Meanwhile, the Carney government's first budget is now just days away, and the PM says Canadians will need to make sacrifices. And, Pierre Poilievre has another bad week. All this and...
Queen Elizabeth was popular among Canadians, even if the Monarchy became more of a question mark in terms of its relevance to our country, over the years. She persevered through many trials and tribulations with her family, not the least of which was the involvement of her son Andrew with Jeffrey Epstein. More recently, we’ve seen King Charles take some...
Queen Elizabeth was popular among Canadians, even if the Monarchy became more of a question mark in terms of its relevance to our country, over the years. She persevered through many trials and tribulations with her family, not the least of which was the involvement of her son Andrew with Jeffrey Epstein. More recently, we’ve seen King Charles take some...
The Conservative coalition in 2025 includes a lot of younger voters for whom Stephen Harper is not a touchstone. The blunt review by Dimitri Soudas, the former Director of Communications to Stephen Harper, in the Toronto Star, has touched off a lot of chatter. Some of it begs the question “what is it that Conservatives see in Poilievre that other...
The Conservative coalition in 2025 includes a lot of younger voters for whom Stephen Harper is not a touchstone. The blunt review by Dimitri Soudas, the former Director of Communications to Stephen Harper, in the Toronto Star, has touched off a lot of chatter. Some of it begs the question “what is it that Conservatives see in Poilievre that other...
There are going to be a lot of special programs done in the next few weeks, leading up to the 30th anniversary of the 1995 Quebec Referendum. A night that those of us who witnessed it will never forget. Tension and emotion ruled the evening. Chantal, Bruce and I were all in different roles watching the story unfold, and this...
Oval Office rapport between leaders is highly sensitive; 71% said this exchange went well, or as well as the circumstances made possible. Few things can be more challenging these days for so many world leaders, than to make a visit to the White House to work on trade and bilateral relations, especially if there’s a sit down presser in the...
Oval Office rapport between leaders is highly sensitive; 71% said this exchange went well, or as well as the circumstances made possible. Few things can be more challenging these days for so many world leaders, than to make a visit to the White House to work on trade and bilateral relations, especially if there’s a sit down presser in the...
From mining and energy to technology, banking and the rule of law, pluralism, free speech, and a good work ethic, Canadians see potential through the headwinds. Thanksgiving in Canada traces its roots to Indigenous celebrations of good harvests, well before Europeans arrived in Canada. The first evidence of a European Thanksgiving in what was to become Canada happened in 1578...
From mining and energy to technology, banking and the rule of law, pluralism, free speech, and a good work ethic, Canadians see potential through the headwinds. Thanksgiving in Canada traces its roots to Indigenous celebrations of good harvests, well before Europeans arrived in Canada. The first evidence of a European Thanksgiving in what was to become Canada happened in 1578...
When Donald Trump and Mark Carney met in the White House for the first time a few months ago, the meeting looked, and was, tense. Not so this latest time. Smiles, laughs and lots of almost boyish banter. What was that all about? Has anything really changed? Could a deal be in the offing, or was it all for the...
Spark survey reveals Canadians prefer 'head down', to elbows up or down; endorse the PM's pursuit of opportunities around the world. As Mark Carney heads to Washington for talks with President Trump, Canadians are watching with anxiety, but measured expectations. Over recent months, like most people around the world, Canadians have observed that the President’s passion for tariffs is not...
Spark survey reveals Canadians prefer 'head down', to elbows up or down; endorse the PM's pursuit of opportunities around the world. As Mark Carney heads to Washington for talks with President Trump, Canadians are watching with anxiety, but measured expectations. Over recent months, like most people around the world, Canadians have observed that the President’s passion for tariffs is not...
Everyone knew this was coming, but now we are here. It's the great pipeline battle playing out between Ottawa and Alberta, and between Alberta and BC. What's at stake? Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson are here to discuss this and what it means for Mark Carney, the upcoming budget, and the future of the country. And, Donald Trump's "war within"...
The U.S. Ambassador to Canada was in Banff yesterday for what turned out to be a tense conversation with former Canadian diplomat Colin Robertson. The ambassador, a seasoned American politician, and Robertson, no stranger to Canada-U.S. relations, went at it over some of the things that have been said between the two countries this year. Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson...
In our latest Spark Advocacy national survey, (September 5-8th, 2536 adult Canadians, nationwide) we probed public opinion about the traits of the leaders of the two biggest national parties. What we found helps explain why many polls show a preference for Carney over Poilievre when the question is who would you rather have as Prime Minister. About two thirds or...
