The human cost of manufacturing our iPhones

Kate Chappell

January 26, 2012 | 9 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 [...]

So is dual citizenship really dangerous?

Kate Chappell

January 19, 2012 | 5 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 [...]

More than one nationality is dangerous

Kate Chappell

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 [...]

This is the longest 22 minutes ever

Jonathan McLeod

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 [...]

Attawapiskat: Hardly A Day of Reckoning

Michael Hammond

December 6, 2011 | No Comments

Shawn Atleo, Grand Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, said the Attawapiskat crisis marks a “moment of reckoning” in Canada’s policies regarding First Nations. I would like to believe him. But, recent history suggests otherwise. After all, the E. coli crisis in the northern Kashechewan reserve in 2005 was large enough to warrant a [...]

Canada’s morale deficit

Kate Chappell

November 30, 2011 | 2 Comments

The other day, a run with a friend took me by the Lester B. Pearson building, a bunker-like structure that houses hundreds of Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade staff. The building overlooks the Ottawa River, the Parliament Buildings, the National Gallery. It was late afternoon, so the sunset had coloured the entire sky pink [...]

Dalton McGuinty is on Crack

Jonathan McLeod

November 29, 2011 | No Comments

…Liberal MPP Grant Crack, that is. In a wonderful display of sanity, the Ontario Liberal government seems ready to examine our antiquated and oppressive liquor laws. Now, after a governmental body shut down a beer delivery service launched as a fundraiser for Operation Come Home, local MPP Grant Crack is leading the charge in re-evaluating [...]

It’s my wife, I can do what I want*

Jonathan McLeod

November 29, 2011 | 5 Comments

In the comments of my previous post on polygamy, valued reader (and guest contributor) Alex argues (responding to my comment that marriage does not rely on the state): Marriage entirely relies on the state. The concept of marriage has very little to do with the two individuals in question, but more to do with the [...]

Polygamy is still illegal… sort of

Jonathan McLeod

November 28, 2011 | 8 Comments

Scott Stinson is right; the most recent judicial ruling on polygamy is vexing. In case you hadn’t heard, the British Columbia Supreme Court ruled last week that Canada’s prohibition of polygamy is constitutional. Still, the ruling was quite limited, and detailed just how people could live in polygamous relationships legally (hint: don’t hold a religious [...]

Happy New Year

Jonathan McLeod

November 28, 2011 | 1 Comment

Fittingly, no time of year brings me more hope, joy or love than Christmastime, so as this past Sunday marks the beginning Advent, I thought I’d wish y’all a happy new year. Sadly, Christmas doesn’t always bring us as much peace as it should. Far too many bathe it in politics, and many more miss out [...]

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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.