National Newswatch

At the National Gallery, an olive branch

Jun 7 2023 — Paul Wells — I’m amazed by news that the new director of the National Gallery of Canada will be Jean-François Bélisle. In important ways the appointment of Bélisle, who had lately been running the art museum in Joliette, northeast of Montreal, is a repudiation of a management style that had rocked the Ottawa-based national art museum. Expect nobody […]

How federalism failed Canadian cities during COVID-19

Jun 7 2023 — Kennedy Stewart — COVID-19 was a tough stress test for Canada’s federal system of government. Our largest cities continue to suffer significant pandemic-related economic and social damage, in part due to provincial governments sweeping constitutional responsibilities they wish to avoid onto municipalities. These “creatures of the province” have become rugs provinces use to hide their problems. COVID-19 lifted […]

Trudeau’s Ottawa and another day of adventure in absurdity

Jun 7 2023 — — This is all you need to know about Ottawa. This is all you need to know about what’s wrong with Ottawa. It is so bad, in the cocoon of the capital, acting students seeing the surreal spectacle would consider it a clumsy example of theatre of the absurd led by, of all people, a former […]

Trickle-down economics: the hoax that will not die

Jun 7 2023 — Les Whittington — As the next federal election draws nearer, Canadians will be hearing a continuing refrain from the Conservatives on the need for tax cuts to reduce the tax burden and help spur economic growth. Party leader Pierre Poilievre is already playing this card, as has every leader of Canada’s main right-wing party going back 40 years. […]

Blind to the obvious, David Johnston testifies against himself

Jun 6 2023 — John Ivison — A recent episode of the excellent podcast The Rest is History explored the world of freemasonry, debating whether the masons are “a secret cabal of devil worshippers that run the world” or a “fraternity of like-minded individuals who enjoy eccentric rituals.” As with most conspiracy theories, the truth tends towards the banal. However, the appearance […]

Today in Canada’s Political History: Sir Charles Tupper and Sir John A. Macdonald speak at an election rally in Kingston!

Jun 6 2023 — Arthur Milnes — It was a big day in Kingston on this date in 1878 with both Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir Charles Tupper making a joint appearance in the Limestone City. Both these Fathers of Confederation would soon be leading their party back to power in that year’s general election. Before the main speech, Kingstonians read […]

Character trumps credentials when looking for Toronto’s next mayor

Jun 5 2023 — Robin V. Sears — If you have interviewed many candidates in recruitment or in politics you probably came anyway with this insight: character should always outweigh credentials. Character is usually strengthened over time and has meant showing great courage against long odds. In politics character is often revealed by supple coalition-building skills and the ability to maintain a sharp […]

The Conservative Party and Pride Month: Poilievre’s Freedom Paradox

Jun 5 2023 — Fred DeLorey — Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre has recently remarked that Pride month is about freedom. However, when asked if he would attend a Pride parade to show his support for this freedom, he offered no commitment. This reluctance strikes a dissonant chord, especially given his readiness to not only voice his support for a trucker convoy […]

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