Mar 2 2023 — Susan Delacourt — Toronto Star — The best argument so far for an independent inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada has come from the least independent voices in this escalating furor — politicians and members of Parliament. A hearing at a Commons committee on Wednesday vividly proved the point. National security discussions should come with a warning label — don’t […]
Feb 25 2023 — Susan Delacourt — Toronto Star — It may surprise some Canadians to learn that the future of this country’s health-care system hinges on — wait for it — journalism. OK, that’s not exactly how Justin Trudeau put it this week when he was fielding questions on how the new health-care spending with the provinces would work.
Feb 22 2023 — Susan Delacourt — Toronto Star — When Donald Trump moved into the White House six years ago, Justin Trudeau hit the road in Canada, holding town-hall meetings with rank-and-file Canadians in a bid to keep Trump-style populism at bay in this country. Trump’s out of power, but Trudeau’s back on the road this month, carrying warnings that the former president haunts […]
Feb 17 2023 — Susan Delacourt — Toronto Star — “Freedom” became a highly charged political word in Canada one year ago, shouted from trucks blockading border points, bouncing off the walls of buildings in an occupied capital city. In his official commission report on that so-called “Freedom Convoy” protest last February, Justice Paul Rouleau has done something politically significant — he has said what […]
Feb 14 2023 — Susan Delacourt — Toronto Star — One year ago, the federal government marked Valentine’s Day with a declaration of emergency. This year, Canada stands on guard against unidentified flying objects.
Feb 7 2023 — Susan Delacourt — Toronto Star — Canadians have become accustomed to long waiting times for medical treatment in this country. So perhaps it isn’t a surprise that when Canada’s first ministers showed up for a meeting in Ottawa to treat the ailments of the health-care system, the immediate result was: “Just wait.”
Feb 3 2023 — Susan Delacourt — Toronto Star — Two prominent, respectable people landed in the crosshairs of this often toxic Parliament on Wednesday, and they didn’t stand a chance, Susan Delacourt writes. Contempt of Parliament is a serious thing. Contempt by Parliament is what emerged this week as federal politicians decided that thorny controversies over Islamophobia and government contracting were best tackled by […]
Jan 31 2023 — Susan Delacourt — Toronto Star — Trouble for Justin Trudeau’s government has often landed in the early weeks of a new year — Donald Trump, an unfortunate trip to India, a fateful cabinet shuffle, ministerial resignations and of course, three years ago, a global pandemic. The first few weeks of 2023 finds the Trudeau government not in a crisis, but a […]
Jan 26 2023 — Susan Delacourt — Toronto Star — Ottawa doesn’t need to brace this weekend for a replay of the convoy protest, says the new police chief, because “lots has changed since last year.” For one thing, the chief has changed. Eric Stubbs, who took over late in 2022, told CBC’s Ottawa Morning on Wednesday that while he hasn’t talked to the man […]
Jan 23 2023 — Susan Delacourt — Toronto Star — U.S. President Joe Biden will be getting out to a “shop floor” to meet Canadian workers when he pays a call on this country in March, says Justin Trudeau. While part of the official visit will be taking place in Ottawa, Trudeau says he’s reasonably sure that Biden will also want to mix and mingle […]
Jan 21 2023 — Susan Delacourt — Toronto Star — Justin Trudeau is very aware of just how much he’s become a lightning rod for anger in Canada. It’s kind of hard to miss. As we sat together in a meeting room at the University of Windsor this week, a gaggle of protesters with the now-familiar “F— Trudeau” flags were gathered outside, cheered on by […]
Jan 19 2023 — Susan Delacourt — Toronto Star — Justin Trudeau has decided — at least for now — to see Ontario’s moves toward for-profit medical care as “innovation” by Doug Ford’s government to resolve the health-care crisis gripping the country. Trudeau has been conspicuously quiet about the Ford government’s announcement to allow more medical procedures to be done by for-profit health-care providers. Too […]
Jan 10 2023 — Susan Delacourt — Toronto Star — More than halfway through his first term in office, U.S. President Joe Biden has finally announced he will visit Canada in March. The long delay in paying a call to his northern neighbour— longer than any U.S. president since the 1970s — wasn’t exactly being viewed as a snub. But it did speak to how […]
Jan 2 2023 — Susan Delacourt — Toronto Star — Most of the world’s eyes were focused on Ukraine last February when the convoy protests were disrupting life in Canada. But Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says she was fielding questions from her international counterparts about what the heck was going on in this country.
Dec 31 2022 — Susan Delacourt — Toronto Star — “Permacrisis” is the word of 2022, according to the Collins Dictionary. It also perfectly captures the state of politics in Canada — not just these past 12 months, but over almost the entire tenure of Justin Trudeau’s government as it blows past seven years in power. The year definitely kicked off in crisis mode here […]