By Richard Forbes. Fair-haired Prince George, dressed (against his will, presumably) as a WWII era schoolboy, is greeted at Vancouver's coastal flight centre by a gentle giant smiling fondly; the giant, the one they call the prime minister here, bends down, raising his hand for a high five... No takers. ...Trudeau lowers his hand, going for the 'low … Continue reading We’re stuck with the royals, so let’s make the most of it
Behold, scandals as lame as they come
By Richard Forbes. Members gathered on the hill this week to resume their time-honoured tradition of slagging each other with the new fall sitting of parliament; it was a slow, humdrum performance on the part of those involved, with most of the opposition's distinguished critics having being relegated to the backbenches as they seek to win … Continue reading Behold, scandals as lame as they come
With the clock ticking, the Liberals must step up their deliverology
By Richard Forbes. The House of Commons is back in session as of yesterday with the Liberals already facing criticism from some that it may not be making progress on its ambitious agenda. Certainly, there have been some exceptions: the government has negotiated an expansion of the CPP, it's achieved its target to resettle 25,000 … Continue reading With the clock ticking, the Liberals must step up their deliverology
How to fix a broken NDP
By Richard Forbes. Despite rumours that he might face a coup d'état, interim party leader Tom Mulcair left the NDP's Montreal caucus meeting yesterday assuring the press that he had the 'unanimous' support of his caucus to remain as leader until the new party leader is chosen next year. He also set out to reset … Continue reading How to fix a broken NDP
Canada may be “back” but the hate is still here
By Richard Forbes. A chill has settled through the countryside; the leaves curling, the autumn, unreliable at best and - if papers are to be believed - the public's mood towards immigration has cooled. This Saturday's Toronto Star headline read “Canadians Favour Screening Immigrants” which, as Maclean's Colin Horgan and Abacus Data's Bruce Anderson have said, makes … Continue reading Canada may be “back” but the hate is still here
Neither party leaves Scarborough-Rouge River unscathed
By Richard Forbes. Featured Image via Chris Young, CP. Ontario's Progressive Conservatives saw their first victory under new leader Patrick Brown this past week in a by-election in Scarborough-Rouge River. But at what cost? Raymond Cho arrives late in the evening to his campaign office, formerly known as Babhi's Beauty Salon (“Hair and Skin Care … Continue reading Neither party leaves Scarborough-Rouge River unscathed
Elizabeth May shares her hopes for a consensus-based parliament: Interview
By Richard Forbes. Featured image via Canadian Press. The Special Committee on Electoral Reform (ERRE) is wrapping up its panels today, hearing from David McLaughlin, formerly Chief of Staff to Brian Mulroney, in addition to professor Craig Scott and Graham Fox, president of policy think tank, the Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP.) From … Continue reading Elizabeth May shares her hopes for a consensus-based parliament: Interview
Nathan Cullen seeks common ground on electoral reform: Interview
By Richard Forbes. Today, the Special Committee on Electoral Reform (ERRE) will hear from a number of witnesses, including Ed Broadbent, former NDP leader and founder of Broadbent Institute. Thus it's rather appropriate that our series of interviews, Inside the ERRE, will hear from Nathan Cullen next, one of the leading members of the NDP caucus. Past … Continue reading Nathan Cullen seeks common ground on electoral reform: Interview
It’s been a good week for the CBC
By Richard Forbes. Featured Image via David Bastedo. 11.7 million people watched the CBC's broadcast and livestreaming of the Tragically Hip's final concert, last Saturday, as a part of their Man Machine Poem tour. Hosted in Kingston, the band's hometown, the concert was a touching final performance for an iconic Canadian band that's woven itself into the … Continue reading It’s been a good week for the CBC
“Let the people decide,” says Gérard Deltell: Interview
By Richard Forbes. Continuing our series of interviews, Inside the ERRE, with members of the Special Committee on Electoral Reform, we were lucky enough to get in touch with Gérard Deltell to discuss his thoughts on this recent push by the Liberals to reform Canada's voting system. The ERRE has already heard from professors Barry Cooper, Nicole Goodman … Continue reading “Let the people decide,” says Gérard Deltell: Interview
The Ribbon 