Author: Peter Lowry

They are launching Ontario’s barrage of licensed on-line casinos in April. The timing is terrible. This push for Internet gaming will happen as Ontario’s casinos are trying to get back on their feet after close to two years of lost revenues. It’s a foolish cash grab by the province to

It is hard to believe that the Toronto Star would give Magna International founder Frank Stronach free space in the Star’s business section to express his addled ideas. The other day, he told us he doesn’t like licenses, rules or taxes for small business. He thinks small business is any

In 1970, when prime minister Pierre Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act, I disagreed. It was an over-reaction to some clumsy lawbreakers. When his son invoked the 1988 version of the act the other day, my reaction was relief. In 1970, the police forces were trying to do their job.

If you are thinking of mining Bitcoin, be careful you do not end up with iron pyrite. Fool’s gold is an apt description for Bitcoin. It is a fictional commodity with nothing behind it. It is the money-laundering instrument of drug dealers, pimps and thieves. It is the sanctuary of

It is almost sad. Only 15 per cent of the Ontario new democratic party voted against keeping MPP Andrea Horwath as leader. The vote appeared to be the result of an online poll taken on a recent weekend during a virtual convention for the provincial party. Since there was no

It is the conservative party that has to clean up the mess left by its federal caucus. Hopefully they will bring a renewed strength to their meetings on the road ahead. They should not think of it as the need another sacrificial lamb to lead their party in Ottawa. But

Excuse me, I’m a Canadian and I’m confused. All I know is that if I drive down to the closest border crossing to the United States of America and park my pick-up across the traffic lanes, I will get a ticket for impeding traffic and eventually arrested if I persist.

It has been a tough two years of the pandemic but interim federal conservative leader Candice Bergen tells us it is all over. Isn’t it wonderful? She says that Omicron is on the ebb. She tells parliament that we can ditch all the mandates, lock-downs, testing, masks and tell our

Joël Lightbound, MP for the Quebec City riding of Louis-Hëbert did something rare for a liberal MP the other day. He spoke openly to the Ottawa news media. He was unhappy with what he calls his government’s politicized approach to the pandemic. He says his government’s approach is both politicized

The Toronto Star editors have lost control of the family newspaper. Starting with an albeit confusing mix of sections, writing 2000 or more words per news item, where 500 would have done the job, the Toronto Star has gone off the deep end. It might just be the lack of

Who gains? What can possibly emerge from the deliberate chaos created across our Canada? Our police appear weak and ineffective. Our leaders are missing in action. Our healthcare workers are crushed under the weight of the seemingly never-ending pandemic. The supply chains of commerce and food supply are broken. It

Pierre Poilievre is in. To the surprise of few, the conservative politician wants the leadership of his conservative party. And they will hardly need a vote as long as Poilievre’s friends are camped on Wellington Street in Ottawa. The end result of this for the conservative party should be embarrassment.

There is something of a personal relationship that develops with organizations you have had a share in creating. I have always had that kind of a relationship with the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). It showed me what could be achieved by activism in politics. I was there at its

To borrow the title of an old Laurel and Hardy short film, you have to admit that reporter Tonda MacCharles of the Toronto Star’s Ottawa Bureau has a sense of humour. She was told to do a quick capsule comment on each of the top ten contenders for the leadership

Canada’s conservative and liberal parties are what is often described as “Big Tent” political parties. It means the parties try to include a wide range of political views for their members and supporters. The more inclusive the party, the broader its appeal can be during elections. The only problem is

It was about 40 years ago when I first heard Frank Stronach, creator of Magna International, speak. I liked some of what he said and puzzled over the rest. What he had done in business was impressive. He had almost single-handed created an auto parts business that today dominates the

It was a long time ago when my son was learning to talk. He talked earlier than many little boys. He talked loudly. Yet he did not start with Momma or Dadda. He started with “truck.” He was fascinated with toy trucks and real trucks. The only problem was that

Having always admired Chantal Hébert’s ability to analyze the Quebec political scene, does not necessarily mean she fully understands Ontario politics. For the Toronto Star columnist to buy into the old chestnut that Ontario voters consciously elect conservatives provincially when liberals are in power federally is ridiculous. Nor is it

It seems the news hounds and pundits have made up their minds: they expect Pierre Poilievre, MP from Carleton, to be ready to accept the conservative crown after Erin O’Toole is deposed. It is too bad. Conservatives really need someone that Canadians can respect in that position. They can hardly

Politicos and observers are doing some wishful thinking to believe there is likely to be a minority government after Ontario’s June provincial election. Voters are faced with three major party leaders that they either dislike, don’t know or distrust. This is obviously not one of the better times for political