Featured image via Chad Hipolito, CP. By Richard Forbes. Seated together at Westhills Stadium, the BC NDP's John Horgan and the BC Green's Andrew Weaver watched New Zealand beat Canada, 17-7, at the World Rugby Sevens Series this Sunday. The topic of the hour between Horgan and Weaver? Not politics, we were assured. An assurance that … Continue reading A BC Green-NDP deal paves the way for democratic reform
Reforming the House of Commons will require more patience than Trudeau gave electoral reform
By Richard Forbes. Confusion erupted across the House of Commons as the opposition's standing ovation continued for several minutes. The stall tactic, a naked and dramatic attempt at upstaging Morneau's budget speech with concerns of their own, helped to direct public attention to the government's hopes to change how parliament works. For the past twenty … Continue reading Reforming the House of Commons will require more patience than Trudeau gave electoral reform
A better way to reform our electoral system
By Richard Forbes. Like all great 'eureka' moments, this one came to me in the bath while thinking about water levels; to reheat a bath, you lower the water level and run the hot water simultaneously - and with that thought, the basic structure of a very different kind of electoral reform proposal was born. … Continue reading A better way to reform our electoral system
The unmaking of a president
By Richard Forbes. As I sip my morning coffee, my aunt says, not “good morning” or ask “how did you sleep?” – no, the first words I heard over breakfast were, “Could Donald Trump resign from the race? I was up last night wondering if he could just... you know...give up.” Oh, what forty eight … Continue reading The unmaking of a president
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
Trudeau must walk a fine line in China
By Elias Weiss. Featured image via Adrian Wyld, CP. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has officially kicked-off his first official visit to China in Beijing. During his visit, he will meet with both Chinese president Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang as well as various Chinese business leaders. On the menu, we can expect talks about … Continue reading Trudeau must walk a fine line in China
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
“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
Inside the ERRE with Chair Francis Scarpaleggia: Interview
By Richard Forbes. Featured image via Postmedia. For the first of a series of interviews, Inside the ERRE, we spoke with committee chair Francis Scarpaleggia. The Special Committee on Electoral Reform (ERRE) is an all party, high profile committee set to return to 1 Wellington Street today for yet another busy session of expert panels, … Continue reading Inside the ERRE with Chair Francis Scarpaleggia: Interview
House erupts, frustration blooms over opposition “mischief”
By Richard Forbes. Featured Image from Reuters (Chris Wattie.) It's a tense, trying afternoon in Ottawa. Government House Leader Dominic LeBlanc reads a controversial motion to the House of Commons over shouting and cries of shame – the Speaker interrupts, addressing the fury of the opposition benches, “Colleagues, we just heard arguments about the tyranny … Continue reading House erupts, frustration blooms over opposition “mischief”
The Ribbon 