My latest from the Guelph Mercury (16 April)
__________
Canadian conservatism has always been an uphill kind of thing. From the MacDonald-Cartier compromise to Diefenbaker’s we-can-win-without-Quebec strategy, to Mulroney’s appeal to Quebecois nationalism and right up to the subsequent divide between progressive conservatism and the Canadian Alliance, Canadian conservatism has always struggled to provide a coherent alternative [...]
Archive for the ‘Canadian Politics’ Category
Despite setbacks, these Conservatives won’t fade away
Posted in Canadian Politics, Conservatism on April 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
MPs the guardians of responsible government
Posted in Canadian Politics, tagged Canadian Politics on February 20, 2009 | 4 Comments »
My latest in the Guelph Mercury.
__________
This year, like the last, has so far been a big one for Canadian democracy.
Not in the sense that said democracy has generated particularly sensible legislation — surely you’ve seen the deficit projections — but rather that the Canadian parliamentary system has itself been reaffirmed, on the advice of political [...]
We elect legislatures, not governments
Posted in Canadian Politics, Conservatism on December 16, 2008 | 5 Comments »
My latest from the Guelph Mercury.
Political junkies have had a good ride these last months, there’s no doubt.
The Oct. 14 federal election produced another less-than-stable House of Commons, only to have the new government’s policy proposals give rise to a less-than-stable parliamentary coalition, which fittingly was to be led by a less-than-stable troika of anti-Conservatives.
It’s [...]
How Manley can test Canadian Toryism
Posted in Canadian Politics, Conservatism, Liberalism on November 4, 2008 | 1 Comment »
My latest from the Guelph Mercury. Also available at National Newswatch and Bourque.
_______________
_______________
As Her Majesty’s new Canadian ministry settle into their various and several appointments over the course of the next weeks, their honourable counterparts – the Liberal shadow cabinet – will no doubt do the same.
While the Conservative party get on with governing, however, [...]
Building the Strategy
Posted in Canadian Politics on October 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
_______________
The Plan
The Tories have put together a nifty six-point plan to guide the country through economic turmoil.
This is basically just a promise to not be wildly negligent. In fact, it’s reasonably similar in spirit to the agenda Liberal leader Stephane Dion announced mid-campaign.
In reality, methinks the most important element of the package is having [...]
On Canada’s Election
Posted in Canadian Politics on October 16, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
_______________
The ballots are counted, the results are in, and Canada has made a choice. Another Tory minority government.
This is indeed a strengthened mandate for the Conservative Government, led by Mr. Stephen Harper. I share the Prime Minister’s view that a second consecutive minority win – this time with a stronger plurality of seats in the [...]
Good Grief
Posted in Canadian Politics on October 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Here’s a video (h/t J.S.) of Mr. Dion doing an interview with CTV:
_______________
First of all, Dion should have known to pivot to either the hypothetical that he’s been prime minister for two years, or to the hypothetical that he’s appointed prime minister in the near future. The interviewer would have gladly [...]
On Feeling Canadian
Posted in Canadian Politics, Conservatism on October 4, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
I never feel more Canadian than in the Fall.
I have the privilege this year of pursuing a degree in international relations at the University of Waterloo. All across campus this morning, and into this afternoon, crisp, colourful leaves lined the walkways and danced with the breeze. My nation’s emblem shed its magnificent, evocative image over [...]
Canada Heads to the Polls
Posted in Canadian Politics on September 7, 2008 | 13 Comments »
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada, has accepted her Prime Minister’s advice. Canada’s election has now begun.
_______________
Green Shift
Prime Minister Harper kicked things off this morning with a strong, brief five-minute pitch.
It is clear that the main themes of the campaign, if the Tories have their druthers, will be Stability v. [...]
Sacrifice Medal
Posted in Canadian Politics on August 29, 2008 | 4 Comments »
According to the CBC:
OTTAWA – The Governor General has announced the creation of a new medal equivalent to the U.S. Purple Heart.
The Sacrifice Medal will be awarded to military personnel, members of allied forces or Canadian civilians working under the authority of the Canadian Forces who suffered wounds or death caused by hostile action, on [...]
