The human cost of manufacturing our iPhones
January 26, 2012 | 10 Comments
Canada has fared relatively well during the current economic crisis. There are many reasons why, as many as why the U.S. has suffered so much. One factor shielding Canada is also something that people lament: a lack of a substantial manufacturing base. This extends to an innovation or productivity gap. So while Canada has definitely [...]
The Blog of Foreign Affairs
January 25, 2012 | No Comments
This week, I have launched a new blog at The League of Ordinary Gentlemen called the 49th. Basically, it’s a Canadian political/cultural blog written for an American audience. I’ll be taking on subjects and linking to writers that I think will be of interest to our neighbours to the south. I’ll also be taking on [...]
Election Results and 21st Century Civil Society
January 20, 2012 | 3 Comments
Last week, the Government of Canada announced that it will be doing away with an archaic law that bans the release of federal election results before the closing of polls. In regards to the decision, Minister for Democratic Reform Tim Uppal noted: This ban, which was enacted in 1938, is out of place and unenforceable[.] [...]
What Were the Republican Presidential Candidates Like in High School?
January 19, 2012 | No Comments
Tonight is the most important Republican presidential debate yet. Two days ahead of the South Carolina primary, this evening’s showdown among the last four standing Republican candidates could help consolidate Newt Gingrich’s recent surge or catapult Mitt Romney back into what was once a seemingly insurmountable lead. It will also be interesting to see how [...]
So is dual citizenship really dangerous?
January 19, 2012 | 8 Comments
The more I think about it, the more the issue of citizenship seems to beg greater discussion than the rhetoric thrown around when political parties want to attack their competitors. (Thanks to everyone for their thoughtful comments on the previous post.) And the debate is unavoidable, since globalization continues to advance it. So Andrew Coyne [...]
Liberals and marijuana
January 17, 2012 | 3 Comments
Allow me to echo the general sentiments of my colleague, Charles Anthony, and give the Liberal Party a quick cheer for their policy resolution to legalize and regulate marijuana (though we might disagree about the regulation part). I may peruse the rest of the rump party’s policy resolutions (or I may not – I don’t [...]
More than one nationality is dangerous
January 17, 2012 | 5 Comments
The question of citizenship in political office has re-emerged. NDP MP Thomas Mulcair also holds French citizenship, which he secured through his wife, who was born in France. Perhaps this is just the Sun newspaper chain agitating the issue in a slow news period, as protest is minimal. Nevertheless, the question of dual citizenship pops [...]
A question for conservatives and classical liberals
January 14, 2012 | 9 Comments
Many of the Canadians I’ve talked to who define themselves as conservatives and classical liberals have, at one time or another, have made clear to me that while they’re not fans of big government spending programs, they do support at least some government support for disadvantaged groups of citizens. This is also one of the [...]
How to make housing affordable
January 10, 2012 | 4 Comments
Give people money. The provincial and federal governments are giving the City of Ottawa (among other municipalities, I would imagine) millions of dollars to fund housing for the poor. City staff are suggesting, typically, that the best way to help the poor is by funneling such funds to corporations – either by aquiring or building [...]
This is the longest 22 minutes ever
January 9, 2012 | 5 Comments
At the risk of wasting everyone’s time, I’d like to draw your attention to the most recent development in what was, likely, the dumbest political story of 2011: Rob Ford’s boorish reaction to the boorish gotcha comendy of This Hour has 22 Minutes. In case you don’t recall, THh22M has a character named Marge Who-cares-what-her-name-is who pretends [...]