Back off, Donald Trump. Canada's not for the taking.
Trump wants to use tariffs to break Canada. Our GDP could drop by two to four per cent and put us in an official recession. Two and half million jobs would be at risk. People would get poorer at a time when two million of us are already using food banks. Throw in a simultaneous diet of pro-annexation propaganda pumped out by Trump’s friends on social media, and the blathering of front groups funded by vested interests, and the 13% of Canadians who favour joining the US could swell to the point where they put political pressure on Ottawa to cave to Trump’s demands. Here’s what we have to do.
The sharks are circling Trudeau. There's blood in the water
The sharks are circling the tank.
Yesterday, former BC premier Christy Clark made headlines for eyeing the Liberal leadership, when it eventually opens up. Clark is taking French lessons, and according to sources who spoke to the National Post, several Chrétien and Martin-era Liberal organizers are supporting her potential candidacy. Clark tempered the speculation on X, writing that “The Prime Minister has earned the right to make any decision about his leadership on his own — the position of leader is not open.” For now.
Tasha Kheiriddin: Trudeau's interference allegations a dramatic act of self-preservation
Love him or hate him, you’ve got to give Justin Trudeau credit. He is the political equivalent of a cockroach. You can spray him with invective, stomp on him with slogans, drown him in bad polls, and still he scuttles along, fighting to survive. And not only survive, but attack, accusing his opponents of the greatest sin in politics: being traitors to their country.
Foreign interference hearings are the best spy show going
As Parliamentarians spar over a DOA non-confidence motion and the prime minister chats with late-night host Stephen Colbert, the drama Canadians should really be watching is Season Two of the Hogue Commission on foreign interference. From a clueless Liberal party apparatchik to the Speaker’s refusal to prioritize issues of national security, it is the best spy show going — if only Canadians would tune in. So here are the highlights from the latest instalments.
Carney should be careful. We all know what happens to Trudeau's friends
As if former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney’s resume wasn’t long enough, he has added a new title: Special Advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. On Monday, Trudeau appointed him as Chair of a Leader’s Task Force on Economic Growth, to “develop new ideas for the next phase of Canada’s strategy for near-and longer-term economic growth and productivity.” Carney will hold “meetings and events to hear ideas from Canadians in the weeks and months ahead” including “foremost experts in the business community, labour movement, Indigenous economic leadership, innovators, and more.” He will then report on these to the leader and Liberal Party Platform Committee.
Le Canada n’est pas à l’abri des violences politiques
Les campagnes, les débats et les élections canalisent les conflits sous des formes non violentes, permettant aux citoyens de régler leurs différends par des bulletins de vote plutôt que par des balles. Mais tout le monde n’accepte pas ces règles du jeu. Le plus grand échec des démocraties est de supposer que tout le monde priorise le discours et renonce à la violence. Il y a beaucoup d’individus, de groupes et de sociétés qui considèrent l’usage de la force comme un moyen légitime d’atteindre des objectifs politiques. Et lorsque les conditions sont réunies, ils peuvent renverser une démocratie.
Kamala Harris, Populist
Watching this week’s coverage of the Democratic National Convention, three things stood out. The first was the endless loop of Beyonce’s song Freedom (and no, despite the hype, Queen Bey did not make an apperance). The second was Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz declaring that the government should "mind (its) own damn business" on issues like reproductive rights. The third was the mind-numbing repetition of the phrase “Kamela Harris, for the people”, including by Presidential nominee Harris herself.
Trudeau's 'independent' Senate is a sham
Who knew Canadians cared so much about the Senate? Congratulate an old friend on his appointment to the Upper House, as I did to veteran broadcaster and newly named Senator Charles Adler, and you unleash a volley of cheers — and a torrent of vitriol. The most recurrent slurs were “Liberal” and “hypocrite,” referencing Adler’s trenchant criticism of the Conservatives, anti-vaxxers, and the institution he is now joining. The implication is that appointees must curry favour with the prime minister, and that if you say a bad word about the Red Chamber, you shouldn’t accept an appointment there.
Qui colonise qui aujourd’hui ?
Que signifie « décoloniser » ? Pour les universitaires, il s’agit de se débarrasser des institutions ou des modes de pensée imposés par la colonisation. D’éliminer les structures de pouvoir imposées à une culture par une autre, souvent par la force. Et, dans certains cas, de se débarrasser des colonisateurs eux-mêmes.
Trudeau Liberals face ruin in upcoming byelections
What’s in a byelection? These days, a lot. The Liberals’ loss in the supposedly safe seat of Toronto—St. Paul’s in June sent shock waves through the party. The riding had been Liberal red for decades, most recently under cabinet minister Carolyn Bennett who held it for 27 years with an average margin of 30 per cent. This time, Conservative candidate Don Stewart eked out a win by 633 votes, or 1.71 per cent, prompting intense speculation on the future of Liberal leader Justin Trudeau and some of his key players, including Deputy leader Chrystia Freeland.
China aims to keep Mélanie Joly in line — is she even aware?
Whenever a Canadian politician travels abroad, it’s always useful to see how the foreign press reports on their trip. It helps one gain insight into how the host country really sees Canada, and whether we are accomplishing anything, or just shooting ourselves in the foot. Case in point: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s ill-fated jaunt to India in 2018, which was panned by the Indian media for his Bollywood cosplay and photo ops with Sikh extremists. Not exactly a shining moment on the world stage.
Trump Shooting must unite America
Saturday’s assassination attempt on Donald Trump has provoked a gamut of reactions. Shock, horror, and grief for the victims top the list. Trump was wounded and missed death by a split second; had he not turned his head, the bullet would have pierced his skull, not his ear. Corey Comperatore, former fire chief of Buffalo Township, was shot and killed as he shielded his wife and daughters from the would-be assassin’s bullets. Two other unnamed individuals were critically wounded in the attack. To all of them, the world has extended sympathy and support.
J.D. Vance heralds a tsunami of North American populism
Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump had a hell of a weekend. Over the course of 48 hours, he survived an assassination attempt, saw a federal judge dismiss another criminal case against him, and picked a Vice-Presidential running mate who once compared him to Hitler. Netflix couldn’t script a wilder political rollercoaster, one which will profoundly impact not only American politics, but Canadian politics as well.
L’Amérique d’abord, la liberté en dernier
La droite populiste et la gauche radicale mettent la démocratie en péril
Regarder la convention républicaine cette semaine ressemble à un exercice d’amnésie collective. C’est comme si le libre-échange était une fantaisie. Comme si la guerre froide n’avait jamais eu lieu.
Oubliez le président Ronald Reagan appelant M. Gorbatchev à « abattre ce mur ». Maintenant, il s’agit de les construire, pour empêcher les personnes et les marchandises indésirables d’entrer dans le pays. Relevez le pont-levis : l’Amérique fera cavalier seul.
Liberals want Canadians in the dark about China threat
Who calls the shots in Canada, Ottawa or Beijing? It’s becoming harder to tell, especially after this week’s shameful performance by the House of Commons Ethics Committee.
Brian Mulroney, le dernier premier ministre gentleman
On se souviendra du premier ministre Brian Mulroney pour bien des choses. Il a remporté une élection sur le libre-échange et a ouvert de nouvelles opportunités économiques aux Canadiens. Il a convaincu le président américain Ronald Reagan de signer le traité sur les pluies acides afin de réduire les émissions industrielles qui dévastaient les...
Brian Mulroney, the last gentleman prime minister
Prime Minister Brian Mulroney will be remembered for many things. He won an election on free trade and opened new economic opportunities for Canadians. He convinced U.S. President Ronald Reagan to sign the acid rain treaty to curb industrial emissions that were devastating Canadian forests. He convinced U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to take...
Trudeau introduit un régime d’assurance-médicaments de piètre qualité pour rester au pouvoir
Le régime d’assurance-médicaments est-il voué à l’échec? La semaine dernière, le Québec a annoncé qu’il n’adhérerait pas au projet libéral-néo-démocrate d’établir un programme national d’assurance-médicaments. Cette semaine, c’était au tour de l’Alberta. La ministre de la Santé, Adriana LaGrange, a fustigé le manque de consultation provinciale et accusé le gouvernement fédéral d’outrepasser ses compétences....
Trudeau brings in substandard pharmacare to stay in power
Is pharmacare doomed to fail? Last week, Quebec announced that it would opt of the Liberal-NDP plan for a national pharmacare program. This week, it was Alberta’s turn. Health Minister Adriana LaGrange blasted the lack of provincial consultation and accused the federal government of overstepping its jurisdiction. “We’re not going to allow Ottawa to…
Liberals denigrate Canada, no wonder the military can't recruit
Who will fight for Canada? With all the sabre-rattling happening around the world, and the possibility of an isolationist president south of the border, it is a question Canadians must start asking themselves. For decades, we’ve blithely basked under the U.S. defence umbrella. But should that shelter be withdrawn, we and other nations in...