The American Taliban
One of the main joys of this part of my life is helping to look after our granddaughter, who is now 18 months old and very, very bright and engaged…
2023
A Relic
Robin Sears writes that John Tory is a relic of a bygone era: Toronto’s expected-to-retire mayor is, by contemporary political standards, a relic. Mostly that’s a good thing. Promising to…
Paul Adam on Wills and Estates: Estate Tax
There are 3 basic ways in which most simple Estates may be required to pay taxes. 1. If all or part of your state is being submitted to Probate, you’ll…
The life and death struggle for public health care
Of the many manifestations of societal crisis we face in these harsh and uncertain times, the threat to public health care systems is among the most serious. The defence of…
Can hydrogen solve Canada’s energy woes?
A hydrogen filling station. Photo by Alister Thorpe/Wikimedia Commons. Ongoing events in Europe, including the war in Ukraine and natural disasters, have raised many questions about the future of energy…
The Dream Job.
Get in line folks. There is still the possibility of another election in Toronto. We might need another strong mayor. The job pays more than $200,000 a year and you…
What time is it?
Co-authors Mariana Mazzucato, Professor of economics at University College London, and economist Rosie Collington think democracy is endangered by the growing involvement of consultants in public policy development and implementation.
Ottawa’s Conservatives: always disdainful of separatists, except when they aren’t
Who can forget that time in December 2008 when Conservatives in the House of Commons recoiled in horror at the thought of a Liberal-NDP coalition government surviving thanks to a…
Tuesday Night Cat Blogging
Toying cats.
Tuesday Evening Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – Henry Mance talks to Mariana Mazzucato about the big con by private consultants who have been treated as a substitute for a…
Legal Tweet of the Day: February 14, 2023
#LegalTweetoftheDay: Vancouver police officer guilty of assault with weapon in arrest of Black man stopped for jaywalking #law #legal #lawtwitter via @CBCNews https://bit.ly/3jStTFE – Garry J. Wise, Toronto Visit our…
They Took It
The premiers have accepted Ottawa’s offer on health-care. They said it wasn’t enough — and it isn’t — but they took the money. Michael Harris writes: If Canada’s premiers are…
Cuba is not a state sponsor of terrorism
Days after the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, Cuba sent a 30 person health brigade to assist in medical care to victims. Photo by Ismael Francisco. Cuba, a country…
The Secret to Happy Relationships
Happy Valentine’s Day! (Jump here if you want to see your Valentine’s gift right away!) And while we’re on that topic, like the song says, all you need is love,…
Imperialism is inscribed in the very DNA of capitalism
Labourers at a garment factory in Bac Giang province, Vietnam, 2015. Photo by Nguyen Huy Kham. Contemporary imperialism can be a difficult concept to grasp. Part of this is undoubtedly…
Such Blatant Hypocrisy
Being on the right side of history is a popular desire these days, and many opportunities are afforded by Black History Month. It offers progressives and companies the chance to…
Doug Ford’s Besties.
Has the label business been slipping lately? Has the Ford family fallen on hard times? One of the premier’s daughters had a wedding celebration last year and it is surprising…
Today’s Scene: "What about the squirrels?"
One of the things I love about social media is that we keep finding “some guy” who knows an awful lot of great stuff. For example, here is a Balloon…
‘We reject the premise of your question’ – an excerpt from ‘Anger and Angst, Jason Kenney’s Legacy and Alberta’s Right’
Alberta is on the cusp of a provincial election in which a United Conservative Party increasingly dominated by far-right ideologues and an ever more centrist NDP will face off to…
Tonight’s tonic: “John Tory goes up in flames as Doug Ford hides in a smokescreen”
Tonight’s tonic: “John Tory goes up in flames as Doug Ford hides in a smokescreen” “But who would have thought that Ford would be foolish enough to hobnob with high…