Aug 13 2018 — John Ivison — National Post — Certain things in public life should not be taken at face value — including election promises, government spending estimates and former ministers furthering their commercial interests under the guise of speaking about the national interest. John Baird’s appearance on the Saudi regime’s mouthpiece channel, Al Arabiya, complaining that the Trudeau government has been “poking a […]
Jul 30 2018 — John Ivison — National Post — Politics has always leaned heavily on social psychology but never more so than in these days of rabid polarization, where there is little interconnection between political tribes. Research published this month revealed the importance of what other people think when it comes to climate change policy differences between Republicans and Democrats. Those findings have profound […]
Jul 27 2018 — John Ivison — National Post — What rejoicing there must be in the twin towers at National Defence HQ at the news Canada’s auditor general is going to investigate the fighter jet “capability gap” claim used as justification for sole sourcing the purchase of 18 shiny, new Boeing Super Hornets. At last, the prospect of vindication against allegations made by out […]
Jul 25 2018 — John Ivison — National Post — Donald Trump is as much guided by The Art of War as by The Art of the Deal when it comes to trade negotiations — specifically, Chinese Gen. Sun Tzu’s assertion that if forces are united against you, separate them. Trump reached a deal with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker Wednesday, aimed (from the European […]
Jul 23 2018 — John Ivison — National Post — Doug Ford is keen to send a message to the world that Ontario is “open for business.” The platform on which he was elected makes clear that governments don’t create jobs on their own. “What government can do, however, is create the conditions that make it easier to start a business, grow a business or […]
Jul 18 2018 — John Ivison — National Post — It was like one of Donald Trump’s verbal intensifiers. Before Wednesday’s cabinet shuffle the Liberals were focused on growing the economy and strengthening the middle class; after it, they became very, very focused. Before, they were great at being the government; now, they will be “super-duper,” to borrow from the president. The shuffle provided the […]
Jul 17 2018 — John Ivison — National Post — The Lord may not yet have answered the prayers of a thousand Alberta bumper stickers but a rising oil price suggests he is listening at least. The plea for a divinely-inspired oil boom, in exchange for the assurance that this time it wouldn’t be “pissed away,” is bearing fruit. There has been a nine-month run-up […]
Jul 17 2018 — John Ivison — National Post — The Liberal government didn’t create the problem of floods of asylum seekers crossing the border illegally. Donald Trump did that when he signalled the U.S. would allow temporary protected status on significant migrant populations from countries like Haiti to expire. But the Liberals can be fairly blamed for making decisions that have exacerbated the problem […]
Jul 12 2018 — John Ivison — National Post — If August is the Sunday of summer, mid-July is the Saturday, when there are still chores to be done before you can lose track of what day of the week it is. For the Liberals, that is likely to mean a cabinet shuffle next week to put in place the front bench team they will […]
Jul 11 2018 — John Ivison — National Post — Just over a year ago in the House of Commons, global affairs minister Chrystia Freeland launched into a long exegesis of foreign policy in the Age of Trump with a question: “Is Canada an essential country at this time in the life of our planet?” To ask the question was, of course, to answer it […]
Jul 9 2018 — John Ivison — National Post — Picture the scene: four people are gathered in Job Interview Room 115. “Some interesting resumés,” says one grey-haired gentleman. “Let’s talk about Andrew.” “Let’s look at the ‘experience’ section — there’s nothing about balancing a budget or making a payroll,” says a lady in her 30s. “So what are his policies?” says the older man. […]
Jul 6 2018 — John Ivison — National Post — Doug Ford is going to have a lot of fun with Justin Trudeau in the coming months — like a World Wrestling Entertainment villain breaking steel chairs over the head of the good guy. The new Ontario premier met the prime minister on home territory at Queen’s Park Thursday afternoon in a meeting that was […]
Jul 4 2018 — John Ivison — National Post — “All Canadians deserve to be able to retire with dignity … Seniors can now receive $1,700 more per year.” The tweet went out Tuesday from the prime minister and his social development minister, Jean-Yves Duclos, to celebrate the package of measures the Liberals have introduced since coming to power that benefit seniors. And who could […]
Jun 28 2018 — John Ivison — National Post — Wednesday’s report from CTV News that Stephen Harper is set to make a “secret visit” to the White House on Monday suggests a crack in the Canadian consensus opposing Donald Trump’s trade policy. The initiative has “blind-sided” the Prime Minister’s Office, CTV said, prompting a reaction on social media. “Mr. Harper should be joining Team […]
Jun 26 2018 — John Ivison — National Post — The human collateral damage of Donald Trump’s trade spoliation appeared in Ottawa Tuesday, to explain how the tariffs imposed by the U.S. on steel and aluminum imports are already causing hardship and job losses in Canada. The alarming testimony before an emergency meeting of the international trade committee suggested that without government assistance, previously healthy […]