Will Wallin And Duffy Sink The Ship?
Pam Wallin says she will challenge her suspension from the Senate. Mike Duffy has a doctor’s note to cover his absence. But several sources have reported that he is very…
Owen Gray
Consider The Record
Last week’s throne speech made mention of “polluter pays” legislation. It appears that the Harperites will offer Barack Obama a carrot, if he approves the Keystone XL Pipeline. Unfortunately, the…
Not As Advertised
Stephen Harper skipped out on Parliament the day after the throne speech. He’d spent the last one hundred and eighteen days avoiding the legislature — and he needed an excuse…
She Refuses To Be Quiet
Brigette DePape — who held up that Stop Harper sign during the last throne speech — has greeted this week’s throne speech with the scorn it deserves: Prime Minister Stephen…
Bread And Circuses
Yesterday’s throne speech offered little tidbits to various types of voters — cheaper cell phone and cable rates and the right to carry beer across provincial borders. It’s a time…
He’s Desperate
Michael Den Tandt writes that today’s throne speech is aimed directly at Justin Trudeau: It also betrays more than a whiff of desperation. For of all the issues the Conservatives…
Much Is At Stake
After tomorrow’s throne speech, the opposition parties have vowed to hammer the Harper Conservatives. But will they keep the Harperites in their sights, or battle each other? Tim Harper writes…
The Radical Christian Right
Chris Hedges writes that, if you want to understand what is presently playing out in Washington, you have to understand the Radical Christian Right. They know what they want —…
Making The Swamp Bigger
When Canada went to war in Afghanistan twelve years ago, self congratulation was in the air — and journalism did not serve the country well. Jeffrey Simpson wrote in yesterday’s…
The Middle Class Is Front and Centre
Michael Den Tandt writes that the next election will be about the Canadian middle class. Justin Trudeau has made it his mantra. And now the Conservatives — as they try…
At The Mercy Of Vengeful Gods?
Gerald Caplan wonders, in today’s Globe and Mail, why the NDP has such a hard time establishing itself outside the prairies. Darrell Dexter’s defeat on Tuesday follows a pattern: It’s…
Colour It Beige
Lawrence Martin doesn’t expect much from the upcoming throne speech. He predicts that it will be a pretty bland document: If the leaks are to be believed, this Throne Speech…
A Reputation In Tatters
Stephen Harper is skipping the Commonwealth Conference. The man who put “royal” back in the navy and the air force doesn’t have time for the Commonwealth. There really is nothing…
They Know Nothing
Former Ontario premier Mike Harris appointed a high school drop out as his first Minister of Education. Stephen Harper has followed in Harris’ footsteps. The other Michael Harris — who…
Running Scared
It’s clear now that Republicans are trying to upend the constitution by nullifying both an election and a Supreme Court ruling. Joshua Holland writes that, to understand what is behind…
A Sad And Sorry State Of Affairs
Susan Delacourt’s new book, Shopping For Votes: How Politicians Choose Us And We Choose Them is creating quite a stir. Delacourt’s central thesis is that Canadians no longer act as…
It’s About His Judgement
Stephen Maher has spent a great deal of his journalistic energy investigating the robocalls swindle. But this week — after a second person was taken to the hospital from Patrick…
Consumers First. Really?
John Ivison recently reported that the Harper government is going to announce a “Consumers First” agenda in the upcoming throne speech. Rick Smith writes that, if there is one person…
Will No One Rid Me Of This Meddlesome Reporter?
The man who has prorogued Parliament three times and skipped the UN General Assembly the same number of times is offended by questions. The Canadian Press reports that, when Harper…
He’ll Huff And He’ll Puff
Lawrence Martin wondered yesterday what could have possessed Stephen Harper to tell Barack Obama that Canada would not accept a “no” on the Keystone Pipeline: One possibility is that it…