Fred Delorey
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 Fred Delorey.
What B.C’s political drama just taught Canadian Conservatives about leadership
When Kerry-Lynne Findlay abruptly resigned as leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia last Sunday, B.C. Premier David Eby’s New Democrats were almost certainly popping champagne corks. After less than four months of Findlay’s tenure — marked by bizarre backroom machinations, hard-right staff hirings and a catastrophic exodus of 14 MLAs — the official opposition looked broken. With a...
Carney risks creating a Frankenstein caucus
My jaw is on the floor. Marilyn Gladu just crossed the aisle to the Liberals, and I am struggling to find the structural logic in a move this cold. As a veteran strategist and former National Campaign Manager, I’ve been involved with backroom politics for so long it’s fair to say the majority of my adult life has been lived...
Labour isn't working (for the NDP) anymore
If you want to understand the real tragedy of the recent NDP leadership convention, don’t just look at the winner (which I’ve done). Look at the wreckage of the coalition left behind on the convention floor. Historically, the NDP was built on a very specific, carefully balanced three-legged stool: the eco-radical hippies (your vegans and pipeline protesters), the out-of-touch champagne...
Avi Lewis is a first-ballot lock. The provincial NDP should be terrified.
Sunday's coronation won't revive a dead federal party, but his extremist agenda will absolutely tank their provincial success stories. Pundits love to overcomplicate politics, but the math for this Sunday’s NDP leadership vote is painfully simple. For Avi Lewis to be denied a first-ballot victory, the other four candidates on the ballot need to somehow scrape together 50% plus one...
The Longest Ballot Losers Are Killing the Most Important Night in Canadian Politics
If you’re a political nerd like me (and if you’re reading this, you clearly are), you enjoy a good by-election night. They’re a fun little pitstop between general elections - a chance to get a sense of where the parties actually stand. Sometimes they tell you a lot, sometimes they tell you nothing at all, but they tell you SOMETHING...
Liberals have a 3-to-1 spending advantage in a majority-deciding by-election
Canadian politics rarely turns on a single riding. This time, it might. With Edmonton MP Matt Jeneroux crossing the floor to join Mark Carney’s Liberals, the government now sits at 169 seats. In a 343-seat House of Commons, 172 is the majority threshold. There are three vacancies. Two - University—Rosedale and Scarborough Southwest - are Liberal strongholds and, barring an...
Federal elections require federal rules
Over the past week, both Campbell Clark in The Globe and Mail and Althia Raj in The Toronto Star have written about a section of Bill C-4 (the federal affordability bill) that deals with political party privacy rules. Both have raised serious concerns, using words like “cahoots,” “cabal,” “lawless,” and “above the law” to describe the cross-partisan agreement behind it...
We’re headed to an election. Stop pretending we’re not.
This Parliament is five months old and already circling the drain. The Liberals will table their budget on November 4th, and it’s going to fail - not because of scandal or surprise, but because the math, the momentum, and the mood have all turned. Even the government’s own House Leader, Steven MacKinnon, is already setting the stage, accusing the opposition...
We are all witnesses now - What happens when horror arrives uninvited, through the screens we can’t escape.
I was at my desk this week, logged in for a Zoom. I was early, and had a few minutes to spare. I’d just finished a big project - good work, I thought, the kind of work you want to show off. I was sitting in that strange space between exhaustion and pride, the breath you take before you hand...
Nova Scotia’s fire ban isn’t overreach. It’s hard-earned wisdom
A number of years ago, I helped my aunt and uncle evacuate their rural Nova Scotia home as a forest fire crept dangerously close. We filled the back of the car with family photos and a few valuables, then drove to our place near the ocean, praying the wind would turn. We were lucky. Many others weren’t. And here we...
$12.89 million raised. Zero seats won. The PPC isn’t a party, it’s a grift
Maxime Bernier’s PPC spends big, but mostly on itself. The numbers don’t lie.Since its founding in 2018, the People’s Party of Canada has contested three federal elections. It has never elected a single MP - not even its leader. Its support has stalled, its membership is stagnant, and its presence in Canadian politics is marginal at best.
The NDP may be in even bigger trouble than we think
Most people think the NDP’s 2025 election disaster ended on election night. It didn’t. The real fallout is still coming, and it could cripple the party for good. Yes, the loss was brutal. The NDP won just seven seats in the federal election, not enough to maintain official party status in the House of Commons. They lost funding for the...
SMT -- The G7 As Trump Leaves Early
Canada hosts the G7 leaders' summit. Great mountain backdrop for the photo-ops, but as usual, Trump steals the headlines as he skips out early to deal with the Middle East crisis from home. Does that matter? When the smoke and mirrors disappear, what's the truth? Bruce. Anderson and Fred DeLorey are here to sift through the details.
Smoke Mirrors and The Truth -- Carney Ups Defence Spending to 2%
It's taken a long time, but it looks like Canada is finally going to commit two percent of its GDP to defence spending. That's what NATO has called for for years, but Canada has dodged and weaved on the commitment and failed to meet the goal. Yesterday, Prime Minister Carney said the time is now and Canada will deliver. Is...
The NDP raised the stakes, then folded immediately
Politics is often likened to theatre, but this week, it felt more like a poker game. One where the fringe-status New Democrats leaned back in their chair, stared across the table, declared they were all-in, ready to defeat the government. And then they quietly folded when no one was looking. They played us.
SMT - How Real Were All Those Smiles and Hugs Yesterday?
That was quite the scene in Saskatoon yesterday as the country's first ministers spent the day exchanging compliments about each other in an attempt to demonstrate their ability to work together in the nation's best interests. So was it real? Time for SMT with Fred DeLorey and Spark President Perry Tsergas sitting in this week for Bruce Anderson. Then Niigaan...
SMT -- Growing Pains or Signs of Things To Come?
There have been a few stumbles out of the gate for the new Carney government and the question is -- is this much ado about nothing? Bruce Anderson and Fred DeLorey take up that challenge on this week's Smoke Mirrors and The Truth. Then a special chat with Arlene Bynon about her new and riveting podcast series, Calls from a...
Smoke Mirrors and The Truth -- The Recount Story
We all know the election result was a minority government. But it was very close, which makes the recount story fascinating and, for some, controversial. Bruce Anderson and Fred DeLorey have their thoughts on this and are here to explain them. Also today, we unveil this week's question for Thursday's Your Turn.
SMT - Civility Rules, But For How Long?
In the week since the election, all sides in the next House seem to be finding ways to be nice to each other. What's going on and how long will it last? Bruce Anderson and Fred DeLorey give their thoughts on that, plus Mark Carney's approach with the media, and what's happening inside the Conservative Party.
SMT -- The Morning After The Day Before.
Well, that was a night. Canadians voted, and Mark Carney was the winner, overcoming what at one time was a 25-point Pierre Poilievre lead in the polls. But it was not a majority win, at least not yet. With counts and recounts still to come, the outcome remains a minority Liberal government. Fred DeLorey and Bruce Anderson are here to...
Smoke, Mirrors and The Truth -- The Stretch Run Begins
Less than a week to go now before Canadians have their votes counted and a new government is declared. So what should we be watching for as the leaders hit the final days of their campaigns to woo voters. Bruce Anderson and Fred DeLorey are here with their thoughts on everything from post debate analysis, to advertising, to what to...
SMT -- From Dirty Tricks to Debate Tactics
Liberal Bruce Anderson and Conservative Fred DeLorey continue their 2025 election conversation with two new topics this week. The LIberals get caught playing dirty tricks, while both parties prepare for this week's debates. With little time left in the campaign, is the die cast, or is anything still possible?
Why are so many troublesome candidates being dropped? How political parties protect themselves from these ‘million-dollar mistakes’
There’s no such thing as a perfect candidate. Anyone who’s worked a federal campaign knows that. But there are candidates who work hard, who organize, who understand that this is a team sport—and who don’t get in the way of the campaign’s core message. In fact, the best ones help amplify it. That’s who you’re looking for when you build...
Smoke Mirrors and The Truth -- Both Main Parties Face Issues, Are They Serious?
Jean Chretien used to call them "nervous nellies", those who constantly worry their party's strategy is wrong. With their lead in the polls having collapsed, the Conservatives are divided about what to do. The LIberals meanwhile stumble over one of their candidates. Backroom strategists Bruce Anderson and Fred DeLorey give us their spin on how serious both issues are. Plus...
SMT -- Opening Impressions -- Danielle Smith, French Debates, Crowd Size, Tom Mulcair
It's only been forty eight hours and opening impressions rarely last long, but what about these? How damaging was Danielle Smith's US interview to Pierre Poilievre? What about Mark Carney's yes then no on the TVA debate? And more. Bruce Anderson and Fred DeLorey are here with their spin.
SMT -- What Are The Polls Telling Us?
There seems to be a poll a day recently and while they're each a bit different. there is one common theme. The Liberals are back and the race between them and the Conservatives is very tight. Long gone are the huge leads the Conservatives had. And the NDP? -- they've collapsed. So how are the political pros responding to this...
SMT -- How To Deal With The Trump Factor In A Campaign
Bruce Anderson and Fred Delorey drop by for a Smoke Mirrors and the Truth episode that deals with what is now a daily issue -- how to deal with the Trump Factor in A Campaign? Can Trump remain the top issue during a campaign and if so how do you deal with it and him? The Anderson-DeLorey spin room will...
SMT - When Is A Gaffe Really A Gaffe?
Enter the Fred DeLorey/Bruce Anderson spin room as we deconstruct elements of last night's french language liberal leadership contender's debate. There were various moments, and especially one, where views differ and they are worth discussing. Also, the Ontario election is days away -- is a massive win for one side good for democracy?
Smoke Mirrors and the Truth -- The Art of The Pivot?
These are crazy times to be running campaigns either for party leadership, a provincial campaign or prepping for a national campaign. It's how the Trump factor has changed everything, even things that have nothing really to do with him. That's the topic for SMT this week and both Fred DeLorey and Bruce Anderson have thoughts on this. Also, a feature...
SMT - Who Blinked First -- Trump or Trudeau?
Bruce Anderson and Fred DeLorey go head to head on the tariff issue, or are they in agreement? Who blinked? Trump or Trudeau? These are strange times and this YouTube conversation provesit! Then Keith Boag joins The Bridge podcast for his always incisive, non partisan take on the same story.
SMT -- Do Endorsements or Interviews Matter?
Political campaigns have often depended on candidates getting endorsements and getting interviews. Does either matter anymore? Bruce Anderson and Fred DeLorey bounce that one back and forth on this week's SMT. Plus, will a Doug Ford campaign get in the way of the Liberal Leadership. Segment two (for the audio show only) is an excerpt from my onstage interview at...
SMT - The Return of Smoke Mirrors and The Truth
Bruce Anderson joins with former Conservative campaign manager, Fred DeLorey who joins our Tuesday lineup for insider political talk during the Liberal leadership race. Today, the two look at how campaign decisions that take place in the background can impact the race.
Do Trudeau's actions prove we need to make the Governor General democratically legitimate?
Canada finds itself in a perilous moment. Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation as Prime Minister, effective when a new Liberal leader is chosen, leaving us with a lame-duck leader for months. Parliament has been suspended—prorogued—until late March. At the same time, Donald Trump is set to take office in the United States, promising devastating 25% tariffs on Canadian goods...
Justin Trudeau convinced he's still the life of the party
The party’s over, Justin – time to go home Justin Trudeau is that guy at the Christmas party who just won’t let it end. The music has stopped, the lights are coming on, the booze is gone, and the host couple is yawning, dropping hints that it’s time to leave.
Trudeau said he needed new mandate to fight COVID — why not Trump's tariff threat?
In the summer of 2021, Justin Trudeau argued that he needed a new mandate to lead Canadians through the COVID-19 pandemic.
When taking on Trump, Team Canada needs a captain—and that should be Poilievre, not Trudeau
In hockey, the captain isn’t just a leader—they’re the one who rallies the team, sets the tone, and fights for every inch of ice when the game is on the line. As Donald Trump prepares to be sworn in as U.S. president, threatening 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods, Team Canada needs a captain who can stand up to him...
Canada can’t afford to stall on defence anymore
With Trump’s decisive victory, Canada’s defence strategy can no longer be ‘business as usual.’ The message from Washington couldn’t be clearer: allies who fail to hit NATO’s 2 per cent defence spending target will face consequences. Canada has spent years skirting the edges of this commitment, hoping that vague promises of ‘eventual’ increases and indirect contributions would be enough. But...
Nova Scotia needs to take the fight to Ottawa
Nova Scotia has a proud tradition of resilience, forged through centuries of weathering economic hardships, isolation and both man-made and natural disasters. Whether it’s rebuilding after devastating storms or pushing through economic downturns, our province has always managed to rise above. But now, we’re facing a new set of challenges — ones that are being compounded, not alleviated, by Prime...
Do the Liberals care about environmental stewardship or just trendy climate issues? The Jasper disaster provides a damning answer
As a proud Conservative who also considers himself a Green Tory, I believe that the essence of conservatism lies in its root word: to conserve. This principle is not limited to preserving our institutions that function well but extends to our natural environment. Unfortunately, the current Liberal government’s narrow focus on climate change is neglecting critical issues like clean air...
Prince William's Disregard for Canada: A Tale of Two Sons
Last Friday night marked an unforgettable milestone in Canada's men's soccer history. Our national men’s team triumphed over Venezuela in a nail-biting penalty shootout, securing a coveted spot in the final four of Copa America, the third most prestigious international soccer tournament in the world. This victory earned Canada the right to challenge the defending world champions, Argentina, in the...
Harper to foreign affairs in a Poilievre government?
Should a future Conservative government look to the past — and the U.K. — for guidance on foreign affairs? In a world fraught with geopolitical upheavals and an ever-evolving international order, Canada finds itself at a crossroads, pondering its place and purpose on the global stage.
Cracking shells and credibility: MacAulay’s lobster feast in Malaysia exposes Liberal disconnect
In the realm of politics, the image projected by those in power can often speak louder than their policies or intentions. Such is the case with the recent controversy surrounding Lawrence MacAulay, Canada’s Liberal agriculture minister, whose choice to dine on lobster in a tropical Malaysian setting — shirt casual, amid luxury, and on the public dime — has stirred...
“Go Like Hell”: Tim Houston's urgent bid to transform Nova Scotia's healthcare
In Nova Scotia, where recent snowstorms have added a chill to daily lives, an even more formidable storm has been raging—one not of nature, but of systemic failure within our healthcare system. This crisis of accessibility and efficiency was brewing long before Tim Houston took office just a few years ago. Into this ongoing crisis, the Auditor General's recent report...
The Enigma of Electoral Reform: A Conversation Beyond the Blue and Red Divide
In this week's episode of On Background, we venture into the labyrinth of electoral reform, guided by none other than Dan Arnold— a figure whose credentials are as Liberal as they come, yet whose insights transcend the mere partisan. Arnold, the Chief Strategy Officer at Pollera Polling and a former architect of strategy for Prime Minister Trudeau, brings to the...
McDonald’s maverick move — the canary in the Liberal coal mine as a Conservative campaign dream
In the political landscape of Canada, where energy policies and environmental concerns are at the forefront, my birthplace, Cape Breton, offers a poignant metaphor. The closure of coal mines there not only reshaped a community but also symbolizes the transformative power of energy policies — a transformation we see today in the debate over carbon taxes.
Christmas Cheers: Saluting Political Staffers
As the festive season wraps its arms around us, with its twinkling lights and the promise of a brief respite, it's a fitting moment to step back from the daily grind of politics and reflect. In this special edition of "On Background," we delve into the world of political staffing, a realm as complex and nuanced as any Dickensian tale...
Merry Christmas, you filthy staffers: Unwrapping the Joys and Challenges of Political Staffing
In an ode to the countless hard working political staffers, we go On Background with former Liberal, Conservative and NDP staffers to discuss the highs and lows of working on Parliament Hill:
Justin Trudeau should box again: How the Liberals Retake Their Lead as Digital Campaigners
We go On Background with Dave Sommer, Associate Creative Director at Creative Currency and VP at Enterprise Canada, former Deputy Director of Communications, Digital, for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and former Head of Politics and Government at Instagram. Dave played a major role in Liberals’ 2015 majority winning campaign, where the party’s digital strategy was well ahead of their opponents...
The Art of Digital Persuasion: Poilievre's Viral Strategy Unveiled
In this era where the digital landscape is as contested as the physical, the art of communication has evolved into a sophisticated dance of imagery, rhetoric, and timing. In our latest episode of On Background, we delve into a striking example of this modern-day digital jousting: Pierre Poilievre’s housing mini-documentary, a piece that has not only garnered millions of views...
The Canadian Political Chessboard: Navigating a Future of Minority Governments
In the grand theatre of Canadian politics, a pattern emerges, as unmistakable as it is intriguing. Since the inception of the Conservative Party as we know it today, a striking five out of seven federal elections have culminated in minority governments. This trend, far from being a mere statistical fluke, speaks volumes about the evolving landscape of our national politics.
Biting into politics: Poilievre’s orchard moment captivates Canada
In a picturesque apple orchard, a backdrop emblematic of rustic Canadian charm, Pierre Poilievre stood poised, an apple in hand. As he took a bite, he simultaneously bit into the current political discourse, challenging a reporter’s attempt to label him a populist.