But it could turn out to be the wisest approach to follow
Plans are useless, but planning is indispensable Dwight Eisenhower I was recently invited to present my views on Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy in discussion with Asian ambassadors in Ottawa. I noted that it’s better not to hold one’s breath waiting for a government policy document. That’s why Canada’s preferred foreign policy approach in normal times is…
It is the only way to ensure that future crises are managed better
Increasing numbers of Canadians are demanding a national, independent investigation into government mismanagement of the COVID-19 outbreak. Because governments themselves would be the subject of such an investigation, its conduct would need to be assigned to a non-governmental commission whose commissioners possess the experience, expertise and personal integrity necessary to render their findings credible with…
Drastic changes are needed. Millions of Canadians on wait lists know that. Why don't politicians?
Drastic changes are needed if we are to repair the Canadian health-care system. Millions of Canadians waiting for medically-necessary surgeries and procedures already know that. It’s time for the rest of us to catch up and start advocating for change. At least five million Canadians are without a family doctor. More than one million Canadians…
Key allies concerned about where Canada stands on China and Russia
By Matthew Bondy and Jeffrey Collins When Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom announced their new “AUKUS” defence and security pact in September 2021, it took Canada by surprise. Though Canada joined those nations and New Zealand as members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing club that traces back to the Anglo-American alliance in…
Unfortunately, the Trudeau government is the consumer’s worst enemy right now
It wasn’t a good week if you’re a consumer on a tight budget – and that means most of us. Consumers are under attack. We’ve just learned that Canada’s food inflation rate was at a record 9.7 per cent in May. Everyone is noticing higher food prices and no section of the grocery store is…
$10-a-day child care plan least efficient, most expensive and complex way to tackle affordability
The rising cost of living is doing a number on family budgets. In response, the federal government recently released its “affordability plan” that includes the previously announced child-care fee reductions under its Canada-wide $10-a-day plan. In May, some Ontario families had expected to see reduced child-care fees and a partial refund backdated to Apr. 1.…
Beware mission creep: today, promoting Canadian content; tomorrow, controlling how you think
Sign first; then we’ll discuss the details. Nobody would trust a real estate agent or used car dealership with that approach, but that’s how the Trudeau government is trying to sell its plan to regulate the internet. The government is trying to rush new censorship legislation through Parliament at lightning speed. Through Bill C-11, the…
The Liberals should stop acting like they're considering taxing the sale of your home
By Franco Terrazzano and Kris Sims Politicians think we should trust them just because they pinky promise not to impose a home equity tax, but Canadians pay members of Parliament to do more than talk a good game. MPs need to prove they won’t bring in a home equity tax by scrapping the requirement to…
It's time our politicians did what's right and cut taxes to help Canadians afford their daily needs
As far as Canadian politicians are concerned, the soaring cost of living is like winter slush, summer mosquitos and other unfortunate forces of nature. They would love to help, but what can they do? Here’s an idea: our politicians just need to follow the lead of other countries and cut the stack of hidden taxes…
When it comes to the lust for power, the first victim is always the truth
The Trudeau government has taken #fakenews, #alternativefacts, #misinformation, and #disinformation to a whole new, breathtaking level. This week, the Liberals introduced legislation that will freeze the buying, importing, and selling of handguns and pretended gun owners won’t be affected. You may agree or disagree with that approach, but what is clear is that if you…
Even apolitical international agencies are condemning the Trudeau government's actions
Canada’s federal travel mandates are so oppressive that even apolitical international agencies have stepped up to condemn them. The International Air Transport Association has added its voice to the official Opposition Conservative Party, citizens, airline staff fired for their vaccination status, and grounded and disgruntled air passengers who want to fly hassle-free. IATA regional vice-president…
The Trudeau government is completely overlooking LNG as a solution
Canada is missing out on an opportunity to help Indigenous communities access a cheaper and more reliable form of clean energy in a zealous pursuit of certain renewable energy sources. In its recent climate plan, the federal government committed to reducing the reliance of remote communities on diesel fuel. Many First Nation, Métis and Inuit…
How we decide to proceed will reveal much about our national character
While our series is fictional, the principle objective is non-fictional – to explore the likelihood that sooner or later, Canadians will demand a full-scale investigation into the management of the COVID crisis by our federal government. This is the final commentary in our series. When the new parliament met early in September 2023, the Speech…
Here are facts for Canadians forced to face the real-world impact
The marvellous Christmas movie The Polar Express, starring the inimitable Tom Hanks, ends with the words “anything is possible, if you only believe.” Except, as adults understand, many things aren’t possible, not even if some people do believe them. An obvious example is the fantasy that the 84 per cent of global energy supplied by…
Canadians need a comprehensive, fair inquiry into the federal government’s COVID-19 response
Over the last two years, Canadians have been told to “trust the science” without raising a question. Despite reasonable concerns, the evidence from Pfizer’s and Moderna’s randomized controlled trials (RCT) showed that for every 103 deaths in the vaccinated group there were 100 deaths in the unvaccinated group. The claim that the vaccine is 95…