Mar 21 2023 — John Ibbitson — Globe and Mail — There are all sorts of reasons to question Pierre Poilievre’s proposed Blue Seal program, which would federally certify doctors and nurses who did not study in Canada. Would we accept doctors who performed their residency in another country? How would Ottawa convince provincial licensing bodies to recognize their qualifications? But that’s not what matters. What […]
Mar 20 2023 — John Ibbitson — Globe and Mail — The strong opposition to David Johnston’s appointment as special rapporteur investigating Chinese interference in elections reveals how our times, and our politics, have changed. In a previous column, I suggested that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre should accept Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s choice of Mr. Johnston on the grounds that the former governor-general was appointed to […]
Jan 27 2023 — John Ibbitson — Globe and Mail — We like to blame social media or pandemic stress or economic hardship for what feels like growing political polarization. But our leaders fan the flames. Which is why Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre should stop insulting each other. Mr. Trudeau started the latest dust-up. When Susan Delacourt of the Toronto Star […]
Nov 22 2022 — John Ibbitson — Globe and Mail — Pierre Poilievre is conducting politics in a way never seen before in this country, using remarkably effective videos to talk to people on their smartphones about the things that worry them. He has figured out and matched the public mood at a time when that mood is dark. Critics may scoff, but any politician opposing […]
Nov 11 2022 — John Ibbitson — Globe and Mail — This week’s midterm elections in the United States offer a stark warning for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. If an election turns into a contest between Team Normal and Team Crazy, the results for Team Crazy are bound to disappoint. Congressman Peter Meijer used those terms when analyzing Tuesday’s elections. Mr. Meijer is a Michigan Republican […]
Oct 11 2022 — John Ibbitson — Globe and Mail — Canada is dangerously divided. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s aggressive federalism is to blame. When Stephen Harper was prime minister, he practised passive federalism. Ottawa raised revenue and sent money to the provinces to help fund health care, education and other services. It did not try to impose programs or standards or taxes on provincial governments […]
Aug 23 2022 — John Ibbitson — Globe and Mail — Pierre Poilievre ignores critics who condemn his links to conspiracy theorists because he understands a basic lesson of politics: Never take advice from people who want you to fail. The candidate who is most likely to become the next leader of the Conservative Party has repeatedly come under attack for supporting protesters opposed to vaccine […]
Aug 4 2022 — John Ibbitson — Globe and Mail — Pierre Poilievre’s decision to boycott Wednesday night’s leadership debate confirms the schism between his faction of the Conservative Party and the more moderate faction led by former Quebec premier Jean Charest. This could be seen as bad news for the party. Traditionally, the conservative coalition has been strongest when Blue Tories and Red Tories work […]
Jul 28 2022 — John Ibbitson — Globe and Mail — Stephen Harper’s public endorsement of Pierre Poilievre as the next leader of the Conservative Party means very little, but also a lot. Very little, because Mr. Poilievre probably had the leadership sewn up even without the former prime minister’s imprimatur. A lot, because Mr. Harper is clearly hoping to preserve party unity and win over […]
Jul 6 2022 — John Ibbitson — Globe and Mail — Patrick Brown’s forced departure from the Conservative leadership race means an almost-certain first-ballot victory for Pierre Poilievre. Many traditional Conservatives are appalled by the thought. They fear the party could fracture under the Carleton MP’s leadership. They’re wrong. For better or worse, the Conservative Party is about to become Mr. Poilievre’s personal possession, just as […]
Jun 3 2022 — John Ibbitson — Globe and Mail — A complaisant Ontario electorate has rewarded Doug Ford with another majority government, even larger than his first. For a political leader, to win back-to-back elections is really good. To win back-to-back majority governments is really great. But back-to-back landslides, the second larger than the first? Wow. Mr. Ford came to the premier’s office with no […]
May 16 2022 — John Ibbitson — Globe and Mail — Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre has vowed that, if he becomes prime minister, he will fire Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem, whom he blames for inflation. For his own sake, Mr. Poilievre should reconsider. The last time a prime minister tried to fire the central bank’s governor, it ruined him. In 1960, Canada’s economy […]
May 4 2022 — John Ibbitson — Globe and Mail — On Monday, one day before the formal launch of the Ontario election campaign, Justin Trudeau and Doug Ford stood together to announce federal and provincial support for a $3.6-billion investment in auto plants in Windsor and Brampton to produce electric vehicles. “What is Trudeau doing?” fumed Liberal strategist David Herle. Why, he wondered, would the […]
Apr 30 2022 — John Ibbitson — Globe and Mail — Earlier this week, Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre held a press conference and, once again, rubbished the Bank of Canada. The message was confusing – something about prohibiting the bank from establishing a digital currency and bringing in the auditor general. Informed heads shook disapprovingly. But Gerald Butts, former principal secretary to Prime Minister Justin […]
Mar 29 2022 — John Ibbitson — Globe and Mail — Not only does the latest expansion of the social safety net by the Liberal government, as part of its accord with the NDP, intrude into areas of provincial jurisdiction. It flouts the wisdom of Lester B. Pearson. During the comprehensive expansion of health care, welfare and pensions in the 1960s, the federal Liberals deferred to […]