It has been fascinating watching the Trudeau Liberals twist and squirm over their definition of combat in Iraq. If you believe their nonsense talk points (which can only be dreamt up in a political staff meeting) our forces on the ground in Iraq are not in a combat role. The LiberalsContinue Reading
The Conservatives begin 2016 in a very different place from where they have been for the last 10 years. Defeats are never fun, but they offer the Conservatives a chance to rejuvenate, rebuild and rededicate themselves to promoting Canadian Conservative values. Forget about American, Australian and British values, focus onContinue Reading
It was in a speech on March 4, 1933, that Franklin D. Roosevelt mentioned for the first time the concept that he would deliver 100 days of action now that he was elected. Since then the 100 day mark has become a pretty common marker when looking at a newlyContinue Reading
Don’t you just love how a party’s election promises suddenly disappear once they gain power? We have already seen that in just over a month with the Liberals- remember their limited deficits that they were going to run? So far we have seen the Trudeau gang throw our money aroundContinue Reading
Imagine putting in 12-18 hour days for anywhere from four to eleven years as an elected MP representing your party through good and bad days, being at PMO’s beck and call throughout those years, given up 100s of hours of family time, only to be ignored when it should matter.Continue Reading
The Quebec National Assembly’s attempt to restore some decorum and at the same time reduce the amount of time wasted by member’s applause in Question Period has merit. But will it work? Would it work in Ottawa? Is it overkill? Question Period can get pretty noisy; just watch CPAC forContinue Reading
It is no secret that at the moment the Conservative campaign appears to be in trouble and there are plenty of calls for them to hit the reset button. Declining poll numbers are just one of many signs of that happening along with rumours of infighting and incompetence. Some ofContinue Reading
One of the first rules in political issues management is to never be part of the story. Issues management works in the background, monitoring the news, briefing key staff on unfolding events, offering up counter-attack points and coordinating with communications staff as needed. The aim is to present your boss,Continue Reading
According to media reports, which first appeared on the 20th, the Green Party’s anticipated candidate in Peterborough-Kawartha plans to ask his supporters to vote for the NDP. Both the Globe and Mail and HuffPostCanada indicate that all of this is supposed to happen once it is too late to takeContinue Reading
Don’t you just love this man’s high standards? “Stephen Harper picked these people, he hired them, he promoted them, he protected them, and he’s keeping them on the public payroll while they run his election campaign even though he knows full well everything that they did,” Trudeau said (Referring ofContinue Reading
I enjoyed taking part in the True North Political panel on Friday; it was one which didn’t see the usual partisan attacks that we associate with such shows. Instead there was some pretty good discussion and analysis as we looked back at the Thursday leader’s debate. I don’t think itContinue Reading
What a week in Canadian politics so far! Merry Santa Harper and his happy elves have been popping up all across the country as they announce their latest vote buying binge- using our hard earned tax dollars of course. Senior Elf Poilievre couldn’t wear red as that is the colourContinue Reading
Some time ago when the push for fixed election dates was first discussed, I for one was never in favour of the idea. I always felt that Canadian elections would end up following the pattern of American ones with a last year being devoted to little that would be consideredContinue Reading
Justin Trudeau’s new ideas on how to make government better do have some merit, if they are ever implemented. I say that as someone who is a bit jaded and cynical from having been involved in federal politics from as far back as 1984. There are always great ideas, especiallyContinue Reading
At first glance it looks like Justin Trudeau’s recent policy announcement of a list of items that he would implement if he becomes Prime Minister was based on the wisdom of a former adviser and campaign strategist for Pierre Trudeau. Keith Davey would always argue that “It is when theContinue Reading
Quick comments on some of the events and issues of the past week Polling numbers are getting interesting as a three way race is developing. It is always good for democracy when the public is engaged. The question now becomes where will the anti-Harper vote go? With three opposition partiesContinue Reading
Justin Trudeau has received a fair amount of coverage for his “new” idea to tax the rich and give the middle class a tax break while using the new tax money to help balance the budget. However, one must keep in mind that in modern politics nothing much is new,Continue Reading
Harper’s visit to Iraq, the Kurds and eventually the Netherlands to join with our vets in celebrating VE-Day was great political theater. It reminded me of the vintage propaganda film footage we see from World War Two where the leader flies in to visit the troops and he is thenContinue Reading