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
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Northern 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
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: We Know Who He Is
Last week, we got a good look at who Pierre Poilievre is. Michael Harris writes: After jumping to the conclusion that the tragic accident at the Rainbow Bridge on Nov. 22 was a terrorist attack—a thesis which quickly proved to be patently false—Pierre Poilievre was asked by a CP reporter
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: We Know How This Story Ends
Recent polls suggest that Pierre Poilievre will be our next prime minister. Bob Hepburn writes that’s because neither the Liberals nor the NDP have figured out how to deal with Poilievre. But it’s also because the media is giving him a free pass: The biggest reason is that the media
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: Anger And Wisdom
The tide is running against Justin Trudeau. Michael Harris writes: Poll after poll has shown that a lot of Canadians are stomping their feet for the current prime minister to resign right now before the next election. There is an impetuous push to see the back end of the man
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: What Sane Person?
The Republican Party is a collection of vile and incompetent people. Leading their parade is Donald Trump. But close behind him is Marjorie Taylor Greene. Dana Milbank writes: After eight fellow Republicans thwarted her attempt to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, one of them said Greene lacks “maturity.” Greene
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: Carbon Folly
Politicians are chipping away at the carbon tax. Pierre Poilievre wants to “axe the tax” entirely. The situation upsets former environment minister Catherine McKenna. She writes: Life is full of ironies. Using pricing to change behaviour is a strategy drawn from any conservative playbook. By setting a price, a market can
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