Jun 17 2019 — John Ivison — National Post — In mid-June 2015, before that year’s federal election campaign began in earnest, Justin Trudeau released a package of 32 promised democratic and government reform measures. They were designed to provide a contrast with the incumbent Conservative government and, more importantly, garner the Liberals some publicity at a time when there was a very real risk […]
Jun 13 2019 — John Ivison — National Post — The Conservatives have been raising expectations over the climate change plan that leader Andrew Scheer will unveil next week. In a short video released to promote the speech next Wednesday, Scheer promised a “real plan to protect our environment, fight climate change and reduce global emissions.” To underline the emphasis on the international aspect of […]
Jun 12 2019 — John Ivison — National Post — We can’t afford not to, apparently. On Wednesday the advisory council on the implementation of national pharmacare issued its report, which reads like the secret to the philosopher’s stone — a legendary recipe for turning lead into gold. The council, chaired by former Ontario Liberal health minister Dr. Eric Hoskins, has recommended the federal government […]
Jun 10 2019 — John Ivison — National Post — Conservative leader Andrew Scheer has yet to release his environment plan but regardless, according to a new poll by the Angus Reid Institute he is judged to be better suited to handle climate change than Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Both lag in the low-carbon emission wake of Green leader Elizabeth May, who has the backing […]
Jun 6 2019 — John Ivison — National Post — Former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall has compared the government’s environmental assessment bill to kindling, fuelling the flames of Western alienation, and its oil tanker ban to lighter fluid. If he’s right, the Prairie sun is about to be obscured by more smoke — this time emanating from Parliament Hill. The Trudeau government is planning an […]
Jun 3 2019 — John Ivison — National Post — The final report of the National Inquiry Into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is an uncomfortable read, particularly when it comes to the bitter agony evident in the testimony of family members of who have lost loved ones. Bernice C. talked about her daughter, Jennifer. “Somebody stole her, had no right to her, […]
May 30 2019 — John Ivison — National Post — Maybe it doesn’t matter if Mike Pence is upset with Justin Trudeau for raising the abortion issue during his courtesy visit to promote the new NAFTA deal. He is, after all, just the vice-president of the U.S.A., and even former holders were not that impressed with the office. “The vice-presidency isn’t worth a pitcher of […]
May 29 2019 — John Ivison — National Post — When Justin Trudeau was confirmed as Liberal Party leader six years ago, he made clear in his victory speech that the infighting between so-called Chrétien Liberals and Martin Liberals was over. “The era of hyphenated Liberals ends right now,” he said. The slight has never been forgotten by those still hankering for the glory days […]
May 28 2019 — John Ivison — National Post — It’s fair to say the “scary” Andrew Scheer meme has not really caught on. As the Conservative leader pointed out at this year’s Press Gallery dinner, “It’s like trying to waterboard the Pillsbury Doughboy.” Instead, a motley collection of unions and leftists, Engage Canada, is launching a new front – an attack ad claiming “weak” […]
May 27 2019 — John Ivison — National Post — The problem with setting up a small anarchist community, lamented the English playwright Alan Bennett, was that people wouldn’t obey the rules. Former Liberal cabinet ministers Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott may discover there are similar drawbacks to being independent MPs, in the unlikely event they are re-elected in October. The two former ministers held […]
May 25 2019 — John Ivison — National Post — Justin Trudeau has been advised by senior business figures to engage in the same pressure politics in Canada’s dispute with the Chinese government that are being used against it — namely the use of health or security concerns such as the search for illegal opioids to restrict certain imports and to stall container traffic. “Tariffs […]
May 23 2019 — John Ivison — National Post — Manitobans are set to trudge to the polls twice this fall, as Premier Brian Pallister dropped the heaviest hint yet that he will call an election in September. Elected in spring 2016 with a record majority, Pallister’s Progressive Conservatives still enjoy a healthy lead in the polls, spurring the former federal MP to go early. […]
May 21 2019 — John Ivison — National Post — In sports, they call it a hospital pass — a poorly executed pass from a teammate that leaves the recipient in plaster. Since becoming justice minister in January, David Lametti has received so many hospital passes, he should be covered head to foot in an orthopedic cast. First there was the SNC-Lavalin file, then the […]
May 17 2019 — John Ivison — National Post — Justin Trudeau welcomed the removal of U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum with an almost manic exultation — hugging just about anyone who came within arm’s reach. “This is pure good news for Canadians and for families as we head into a long weekend,” he said. Most of all perhaps, it is pure good […]
May 16 2019 — John Ivison — National Post — Canada’s Greens have never had it so good. The party now has two MPs elected under the Green banner, after Paul Manly won the Nanaimo—Ladysmith byelection earlier this month. Meanwhile, the latest Nanos Research poll suggests national support for Elizabeth May’s party has broken through 10 per cent — the highest level in 15 years […]