Jun 16 2023 — Gary Mason — Globe and Mail — Federal Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre is considered a master communicator by many. And there is little question his rhetoric and attendant messages have a piercing effect, strongly resonating with many Canadians. He’s become particularly adept at packaging thoughts around a particular theme in short videos that are perfect for our social media age. The […]
May 12 2023 — Gary Mason — Globe and Mail — More than a decade ago, American conservative politics were fundamentally altered thanks to a small but effective group of activists who didn’t see their values represented in the Republican party. They were an eclectic mix of libertarians, right-wing populists and Christian fundamentalists who believed in the power of God, lower taxes and smaller government. They […]
May 2 2023 — Gary Mason — Globe and Mail — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith spent her first day on the campaign trail Monday answering the most important question she faces ahead of the May 29 provincial election: what is the public to make of her volatile governing style? In the seven short months she’s been in charge, Ms. Smith has leapt from one hot mess […]
Feb 21 2023 — Gary Mason — Globe and Mail — There is an old saying in politics that governments defeat themselves. They are often brought down by arrogance, carelessness and the lack of a meaningful agenda. Voters resent governments that begin taking their power for granted. We may be seeing this now with the federal Liberals in their almost allergic reaction to accountability. The lack […]
Jan 24 2023 — Gary Mason — Globe and Mail — When Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced that former Reform Party leader Preston Manning would be leading a review of the province’s COVID-19 pandemic response, few could appreciate the pure genius of the move. Yes, the cost is steep: a budget of $2-million and a salary of $253,000 for Mr. Manning. But not many knew at […]
Jan 12 2023 — Gary Mason — Globe and Mail — Have you heard the one about the guy from Calgary who couldn’t attend his own wedding in Cuba because he didn’t have a passport? Even better – it was all Justin Trudeau’s fault. This remarkable tale, with an emphasis on tale, comes courtesy of the great storyteller himself, Pierre Poilievre.
Dec 1 2022 — Gary Mason — Globe and Mail — Now it is clear. The Alberta Sovereignty within a United Canada Act was a Trojan horse, one carrying a frightening plan to give the provincial government unbridled powers that strike at the heart of our democratic ideals. It seems like something conjured up by those running the worst kind of banana republic. It shouldn’t take […]
Oct 14 2022 — Gary Mason — Globe and Mail — At what point do Albertans begin to wonder – what just happened? I’m referring to the new Premier, who has been foisted upon them by members of the United Conservative Party (largely from rural parts of the province) who thought Danielle Smith would make a perfectly fine head of government. Maybe not so much. As […]
Aug 9 2022 — Gary Mason — Globe and Mail — Will Justin Trudeau know when it’s time to go? Surely, this is something occupying at least some of his energy during his much-discussed vacation to Costa Rica. Will he return reinvigorated, primed for a fall battle against the presumptive new leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Pierre Poilievre? Or will he begin laying the […]
Aug 4 2022 — Gary Mason — Globe and Mail — This country appears to have gone mad – a portion of it, at least. And I don’t mean that these people are no longer in control of their faculties. I mean literally consumed by anger. And much of it seems directed at our public figures, particularly politicians, and more specifically Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Late […]
May 16 2022 — Gary Mason — Globe and Mail — It’s tempting to write off the verbal threats and scenes of nasty intimidation federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh was subjected to recently as the work of a handful of yobs we needn’t be too worried about. We should all avoid the allure of that notion. What happened to Mr. Singh while visiting the Peterborough, Ont., […]
Feb 9 2022 — Gary Mason — Globe and Mail — If you watched any of federal Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre’s video announcing his candidacy for the leadership of his party, you might have discerned a theme: freedom Variations of the word were used nine times in his three-minute performance. If he is elected leader and is ultimately successful in becoming prime minister, Mr. Poilievre promised, […]
Jan 26 2022 — Gary Mason — Globe and Mail — he walls are closing in on federal Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole. The Opposition Leader heads into a caucus retreat this week a marked man. Influential conservatives outside government aren’t too thrilled with him either. The question is how far his supporters will go to defend him and keep him in the job, with so […]
Nov 25 2021 — Gary Mason — Globe and Mail — Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has a new bounce in his step. It was evident in the way he strutted into the legislature this week, and in the effusive manner in which he now posts on social media. His Twitter feed is a steady drip of optimistic updates and declarations that “Alberta is back,” followed by […]
Nov 6 2021 — Gary Mason — Globe and Mail — Candidates for the leadership of the BC Liberal party will have a chance this weekend to say why they’re the best person for the job. But the spotlight at a gathering of riding presidents, party executives and MLAs will train especially hard on Kevin Falcon, not just because he’s the prohibitive favourite in the race, […]