A newfound appreciation for Rob Ford
February 1, 2012 | 5 Comments
Ottawa’s former mayor, Larry O’Brien, got into a bit of trouble. How ’bout we let him tell the story: Anyone who knows me understands that being politically incorrect (PI) has been a special strength all my life. Unfortunately being so blessed is not good for my relations with the chattering class and other such [...]
The human cost of manufacturing our iPhones
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 [...]
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 | 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 [...]
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 [...]
I feel a little sorry for Peter MacKay
December 16, 2011 | 4 Comments
I have not been investigating Mr. MacKay’s most recent ‘scandal’ really closely, but from what I have read, it seems quite understandable that he would be staying at an otherwise ridiculously expensive hotel when at some sort of international conference. The pitchforks seem a little uncalled-for in this case. Of course, had he not demonstrated [...]
Who really cares about the oath?
December 12, 2011 | 10 Comments
We talk a lot about religious face coverings around here (from this point on, I’m just going to write ‘veils’), partially because freedom of religion (and freedom from oppressive and unnecessary government sanctions) are a hobby horse of mine, and, partially, because the government keeps trying to stop people from wearing religious garments (seriously, if [...]
The Tyranny of Farmers
December 9, 2011 | 13 Comments
A Federal Court has ruled that the federal government does not have the right change (or eliminate) the Canadian Wheat Board without first consulting with – and getting the support of – farmers currently using it, as per legislation passed in 1998. In an editorial criticizing the ruling, the Ottawa Citizen has a pretty solid [...]