Tucker Carlson came to Alberta because, he says, he wants to liberate us. Timothy Caulfield writes: RIGHT BEFORE he was fired from Fox News last spring, the prime-time host Tucker Carlson was set to release a documentary called O, Canada! The trailer seemed to unironically suggest that the country needs
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Northern Reflections: The Perfect Storm
We now have a perfect political storm. Susan Delacourt writes: Two sharply divergent views of those convoy protests, two opposite rulings from judges. Not surprisingly, each side will now be able to claim vindication, as well as grievance. That was evident in the immediate aftermath of the ruling by Federal
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: It’s Ugly
Politics has changed. Michael Harris writes: Politics used to be a contest of ideas between parties with different visions of the country. At election time, that produced a winner and a good loser. Now it is a Texas death-match of ideologies. The other side is no longer just an opponent,
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: Trudeau And Trump
Justin Trudeau has made his feelings about a second Trump presidency pretty clear. Susan Delcourt writes: On the one hand, it isn’t surprising that Trudeau would be open about his views on Trump, who came to office determined to tear up the North American Free Trade Agreement and make Canada
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: Ed Broadbent
Ed Broadbent died last week, Robin Sears writes: That an unassuming working-class boy from Oshawa grew into a pivotal figure in Canadian life and an international statesman is a testament to Ed Broadbent’s skill and determination, but also to Canada. Ed was an unlikely, beloved Canadian political leader. Trained as
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: Champion Of The Press?
Pierre Poilievre is suggesting that Justin Trudeau is an enemy of the press. Max Fawcett writes: Poilievre’s attempt to gaslight an entire country into believing he actually cares about things like journalistic integrity and free speech is about three bridges too far, given the obvious joy he has taken in
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: A Wider War
Things are spinning out of control in the Middle East. Michael Harris writes: Events unfolding in the Middle East are showing just how right Canada was to call for a ceasefire in the atrocious Gaza War. The nightmare scenario—an all-out regional conflict involving Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and potentially
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: He’s Here
Everything that develops in the United states eventually crosses our border. So it is that we now have our own version of Donald Trump. Max Fawcett writes: It’s not surprising then, that nearly a decade after Donald Trump’s entry into public life, we now have a Canadian Conservative leader who
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: Did They Get The Memo?
Paul Krugman writes that the news is remarkably good: You may have heard about the good economic news. Labor force participation — the share of adults in today’s work force — is actually slightly higher than the Congressional Budget Office predicted before the pandemic. Measures of underlying inflation have fallen
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: The New Year
The dying year has been difficult. Let’s hope that we can collectively do better in the New Year. Best wishes to all.
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: You Can’t Go Home Again
Recently, some well-known progressives — like Russell Brand, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, and Matt Tiabbi — have switched sides. Michelle Goldberg writes: Part of the answer is probably that the culture of the left is simply less welcoming, especially to the politically unsure, than the right. The conservative movement may
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: Will They Convict Him?
Donald Trump doesn’t read books. He probably doesn’t even read memos. But he does read polls. And the polls are saying something interesting. Norm Eisen, Celinda Lake and Anat Shenker Osorio write: The negative impact of conviction has emerged in polling as a consistent through line over the past six
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: Merry Christmas
This has truly been a year when we — as the song says — “need a little Christmas.” We need the promises of hope and peace that come with the season. Happy Holidays to all. Image: Facebook
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: The Big One
The next election, Michael Harris writes, will be the most consequential in Canada’s history: It will be a choice between today, and all the tomorrows the planet may or may not have; between the cost of living, and the cost of saving what scientists warn is a planet being suffocated
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: A Blood Feud
Not since the days of Lester Pearson and John Diefenbaker has there been so much animosity between the leaders of the Liberal and the Conservative Parties. Susan Delacourt writes: To state the obvious, they really don’t like each other. Poilievre follows what he believes to be a winning formula, laying
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: Democracy On The Ropes
In Canada, democracy is on the ropes. Michael Harris writes: Judging from the public’s view of politicians, especially incumbents, there is more than a little evidence that democracy is more than just running a fever. The most unpopular provincial leaders in Canada are the premiers of the country’s two biggest
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: Getting Nastier
As Conservatives rise in the polls, their nasty streak gets wider. Susan Delacourt writes: The fierce polarization between the governing Liberals and opposition Conservatives has put Canada’s support for Ukraine in the crosshairs — puzzlingly so, since Conservatives have not until lately shown any sign of wavering on that all-party
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: Not Mortal Enemies
Time changes things. Consider the picture that appeared a couple of days ago. Lawrence Martin writes: The image leaped off the screen a couple of days ago. A photo of Stephen Harper and Jean Chrétien grinning like lifelong buddies in each other’s presence. “Always wonderful to catch up with a
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: Kagan’s Warning
Robert Kagan is not optimistic about the future of the United States. He writes: Let’s stop the wishful thinking and face the stark reality: There is a clear path to dictatorship in the United States, and it is getting shorter every day. In 13 weeks, Donald Trump will have locked
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: Perfectly Clear
Donald Trump announced this week that, when he’s re-elected, he’ll kill Obamacare. He tried that once — and he almost succeeded. Why is Trump obsessed with Obamacare? Paul Krugman writes: Much of it, no doubt, reflects the general hostility of the modern Republican Party to any program that helps less
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