If there is one thing the current debate over student encampments on universities is NOT about, it is free speech. Yet many commentaries on these protests have referred to this fundamental freedom and, more importantly,…
Recent Posts
The Poilievre Conservatives’ Incivility Tests Canadians’ Faith in Democracy
By now there are likely few Canadians who have not heard about Pierre Poilievre’s latest display of bad behaviour in the House of Commons. The Conservative leader was expelled from the chamber after repeatedly calling…
The Proposed Capital Gains Tax Changes:
How Conservative/Private Sector Disinformation Campaigns, Public Ignorance and Poor Government Communications Are Once Again Putting a Good Policy At Risk Here we go again. The most effective and least costly option to fight climate change…
Antisemitism is Ominously Resurgent in Canada, Not Just Elsewhere
Everyone thinks Canadians are a tolerant and peaceful people, and no one more so than Canadians themselves. We pride ourselves on our acceptance of others. After all, we are a longstanding immigrant receiver country. Even…
“So-Called” Experts? Is Pierre Poilievre Heading for Another Cultural Revolution?
A few days ago some 200 economists across Canada signed an open letter indicating that in their expert opinion the Trudeau government’s carbon pricing plan is the least costly and most effective way to reduce…
Budgeting 101: Why NATO’s 2% is So Elusive
For weeks now we have been hearing about the need for Canada to increase its contribution to NATO to meet the 2% expenditure goal set for member countries.[i] The arguments of military analysts for increased…
Preston Manning: Champion of Parliamentary Democracy?
Just when it seemed that things could hardly get any more surrealistic after the passing of Brian Mulroney, Canada’s “consequential” 18th prime minister,[i] another astonishing tribute to Mr. Mulroney has surfaced to prove this reader…
The Growing Threat of Civic Illiteracy
For democracy to flourish, citizens must have confidence in the institutions that underpin it: the executive, the legislature, the judiciary and the electoral system. Many experts also underline the importance of an independent media. Virtually…
Brian Mulroney: Canada’s “Consequential” 18th Prime Minister
With the passing of former prime minister Brian Mulroney, journalists and media commentators alike were faced with a serious dilemma. How to accurately characterize the legacy of Canada’s highly controversial 18th prime minister? The CBC…
Poilievre’s Take on Navalny Says it All
When he learned of the untimely death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praised Navalny’s “unparalleled courage” as a champion of democracy and immediately blamed Valdimir Putin, the country’s dictator for…
