Liberal MP and prominent Israeli apologist, Anthony Housefather, has neatly expressed Canada’s approach to the illusory two-state solution proposed for Palestine. On Monday, the NDP proposed a motion in the House of Commons that would support a ceasefire in Gaza and recognition of a Palestinian state. In rather tortured prose,
Continue readingAuthor: Bill Longstaff
Views from the Beltline: Nenshi goes provincial
Former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi has decided to follow in the political footsteps of former Calgary mayor Ralph Klein. Nenshi, like Ralph, went into his first mayoral campaign as a dark horse but wound up winning three straight terms. Now Nenshi, again like Ralph, has decided to step up to
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: The UCP’s war on renewables
Alberta, with excellent sun and wind resources, and the only deregulated electricity market in the country, is Canada’s renewable energy powerhouse. In 2023, 92 percent of the country’s growth in solar and wind energy and energy-storage capacity was built in this province. Because the deregulated market allows private developers to
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Measles redux
It’s back. Eliminated in 1998, thanks to vaccination, measles is making a comeback.This highly-contagious disease has been spreading around the world and there are now dozens of cases in this country, mostly in Ontario and Quebec. At the same time as measles is thriving, opposition to vaccinations has been increasing
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Pass the Sustainable Jobs Act—now!
A critical part of transitioning to a sustainable future is ensuring workers are prepared and jobs are available in the new economy. A strong job action plan is required. This was included in the Supply and Confidence Agreement between the Liberals and the NDP. The answer was Bill C-50, the
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Coalitions get the job done
The most productive Canadian government in history is arguably that of Lester Pearson’s Liberal regime of 1963-68. Two consecutive minority governments, all that it accomplished depended on the co-operation of other parties. And it accomplished a very great deal. That included the Medical Care Act, establishing universal health care; the
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Brian Mulroney—a consequential leader
I liked Brian Mulroney. He was just full of that rascally Irish charm. And a rascal he certainly was. Taking envelopes with large sums of money in hotel rooms from shady characters is not what one expects of a Canadian prime minister, particularly one who was highly successful in all
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Trans enters the culture wars
Pierre Poilievre states that biological men should not be allowed to compete in women’s sports. I agree. But then I’m not aware of any biological men attempting to compete in women’s sports. Some transwomen are, but transwomen are … well, women, not biological men. According to my layman’s understanding, these
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: MPs reject democratic upgrade
Canada is a very free country, but unfortunately not a very democratic one. Not when our electoral system consistently gives us governments that most of us don’t choose. For example, during the decade of the Harper government, the Conservatives never even managed to get 40 percent of voter support. The
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: When Trump and the left agreed
A recent article in The New York Times took me back to the latter decades of the 20th century and the debates over free trade agreements. The 1988 federal election was fought over the issue and the free-trade side led by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney won the day. A free
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Notley, like Lougheed, a hard act to follow
If I had to choose Alberta’s best premier I would go with Peter Lougheed, an exceptional leader, one of too few politicians who rose above politics to statesmanship. A strong defender of the province’s interests, he also committed himself to the interests of the country. He promoted development of the
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Oil’s OPEC advantage over renewables
Oil companies have been up and down about investing more of their profits in green energy. Having made promises to do just that, recently they have backed off. The reason for the change of heart is simple. They make a lot more money investing in oil than they do in
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: How Trump unleashed Iran
In 1953, Iran’s democratic government led by Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddeq was toppled by a military coup backed by the CIA and the British Secret Intelligence Service. Mosaddeq had nationalized the British-controlled Iranian oil industry, and the Americans and the Brits weren’t having any of that. The coup transformed Iran’s
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Who to believe, Pierre Poilievre or 28 Nobel Laureates?
Canadians are being led by the Pied Piper of pollution, Pierre Poilievre, away from the carbon tax. Whether it is indeed the Conservative leader with his “axe the tax” slogan and focus on cost-of-living concerns may be debatable, but Canadians’ support for the tax is flagging, down 11 points since
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Why must the Palestinians beg for a country in their own land?
A seemingly eccentric question, one that shouldn’t have to be asked, yet it does because that is the bizarre situation the Palestinians find themselves in. Indeed, many find themselves refugees in their own land. Their circumstances are a reflection of the disdain that supporters of Israel, particularly its chief enabler
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: The folly of swearing to Charles
Once again this business of swearing an oath to the monarch has popped up in Parliament. It’s one of those issues that never dies but never works up quite enough interest or emotion to generate change. In order to participate in the business of the House of Commons, i.e. in
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Time for a walk in the snow?
I believe Justin Trudeau has made quite a decent prime minister, certainly at least a major improvement over his predecessor. The only important disappointment for me was the betrayal of his promise to end the current electoral system. In any case, his star has faded. He is unpopular with the
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: New Year’s wishes for 2024
Maybe I’m getting too old to change, but rather than making resolutions for the New Year, I decided to do wishes instead. My number one wish, of course, is health and happiness for all my friends and family. And for all other good and decent people. From there I drew
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: 7,000 children, 60 journalists, 130 UN aid workers … enough?
On September 11th, 2001, the Islamist extremist group al-Qaeda carried out one of the most dramatic terrorist attacks in history on the United States. It knocked down two phallic symbols of U.S. capitalism and killed nearly 3,000 innocent people. The Americans could have sought out the perpetrators and brought them
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Alberta is just so damn popular
So many people from the rest of the country are moving to Alberta that the province has cancelled its “Alberta is Calling” program. The program, which boasted of “bigger paycheques” and “smaller rent cheques,” had encouraged Canadians to consider the province as a new home. It turns out a lot
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