Lisa MacLeod Owes Me a Balloon

Jonathan McLeod

July 31, 2011 | 1 Comment

Saturday, the family and I headed down to Maxville for the annual Highland Games. It was, as usual, quite enjoyable. Saw a bit of the sheaf toss, heard some bagpipes and ran into some old friends. My daughter, toddler that she is, became quite enamoured with the blue balloons that many kids had. Naturally, this [...]

This Seems a Tad Overblown

Jonathan McLeod

July 27, 2011 | No Comments

There’s a touch of drama in the Canadian blogosphere these days. You see, a little while back, pseudonymous blogger Fern Hill notedthat Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak once signed a petition calling for the defunding of abortion. This quickly became a mini-controversy. Mark Peninga, who, I guess, originally covered the matter a few years ago, [...]

When is School Prayer not School Prayer?

Jonathan McLeod

July 27, 2011 | 3 Comments

In an op-ed over at National Post, Amira Elghawaby looks at the recent school prayer controversy in Toronto and asks, why are only Muslim prayers offensive? Those opposing Muslim prayers at school might now want to take their protest a bit further south. About 50 protesters met outside the Toronto District School Board on Monday, [...]

We’re rootin’ for ya, Jack.

Jonathan McLeod

July 25, 2011 | No Comments

Jack Layton, who has been battling prostate cancer, has been diagnosed with another form of cancer. Consequently, he will be taking a leave from his duties. All of us here at the Commons are wishing Mr. Layton a speedy and full recovery. Get well, Jack.

Well, as long as he felt it was safe…

Jonathan McLeod

July 25, 2011 | 8 Comments

Dr. Dawg brings us the case a David Weber, a man who is facing a suspended license and hefty fine for rushing his pregnant and bleeding wife to the hospital: When his pregnant wife started bleeding onto the car seat, David Weber knew he was in trouble. The couple was driving home from Winnipeg on March [...]

Thanks for Coming Out, NDP

Jonathan McLeod

July 23, 2011 | 2 Comments

So, just as I’m writing a post on the underwhelming Tim Hudak, I stumble upon this unfortunate news about Ontario’s New Democrats: A Metrolinx contract to refurbish GO Transit coaches — which went to a Quebec company over a disappointed North Bay competitor — calls for the kind of Buy Ontario policy proposed by New [...]

Is Brian Lilley Right?

Jonathan McLeod

July 23, 2011 | 2 Comments

In yesterday’s Ottawa Sun, Brian Lilley argues that the Supreme Court has just sanctioned race-based discrimination, and, honestly, I think he makes a pretty solid argument. On Thursday, the learned justices populating our court issued a unanimous ruling that said it is perfectly fair for a Metis group in Alberta to kick a woman out [...]

How About Some Tim Hudak?

Jonathan McLeod

July 22, 2011 | No Comments

For those of you who don’t know (and I imagine that might be a lot of you), Tim Hudak is the leader of Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party. Ontario has an election coming up this fall, and I thought it might be useful to try to figure out what this dude is all about. I’ve heard [...]

About That School Prayer Thing…

Jonathan McLeod

July 22, 2011 | 10 Comments

A week or so ago, I noted a pretty solid column by Heather Mallick on the issue of prayer in Toronto schools (and, specifically, Muslims being afforded the use of the cafeteria for Friday prayers). This story raised the ire of many who felt that the officially-sanctioned prayer session had no place in a public school [...]

Slow news days

Kate Chappell

July 22, 2011 | No Comments

I feel fear. You may too if you are tuned into any radio or television broadcast or social media stream, or reading a newspaper, since pretty much every 15 minutes, we are being warned that it is hot and humid outside. We are also being asked to watch for thunderstorms, but then sometimes we are instead warned that [...]

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The Commons has brought together a diverse cross-section of unique and intelligent voices to generate meaningful debate and discussion. All contributors have made the solemn commitment to cultivate respectful, honest, vigorous, and open dialogue—and to promote that very kind of dialogue within the larger Canadian political discourse.