A New Progressive Narrative: What Could Be A Part Of It, And What Should Not
May 17, 2012 | No Comments
I’ve posted a new article at Vive Le Canada on what could be part of a new progressive narrative that better reflects today’s political reality, and what should not be a part of it. Questions and comments are of course welcome.
To subsidize or not
May 16, 2012 | 1 Comment
Amid all the chaos in Quebec over the government’s decision to hike tuition fees, there lies an essential debate that has been lost. Affordable education is something worth discussing. Too bad this debate has been lost after months of protests, bull-headedness and now violence. From what I’ve read in the English media, and in some [...]
Talk about the issues, please. No, really.
April 20, 2012 | 1 Comment
Apparently, the Canadian media just refuses to learn from its own mistakes. The Alberta provincial election seems like a recurring nightmare. In this case, a lot of people are talking but no one is really saying anything. And, no, I’m not talking about the party leaders. In this case, the media is just as guilty. [...]
Volunteering in Jamaica
April 14, 2012 | No Comments
Please excuse this moment of shameless self-promotion. To be accurate, actually, I want to promote the organization I am volunteering with (Cuso) and this beautiful country I am enchanted with (Jamaica). I have been here a month now and have written a piece for the Mark News on what I am doing here and what [...]
No, not in your back yard
April 14, 2012 | 3 Comments
In my recent post arguing, in part, that Ottawa might benefit from a safe injection site, Peter responded, NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard). This is an understandable, if somewhat predictable, response. Generally speaking, people won’t want to live beside a haven for drug use (the same sentiment is usually aroused when discussing group homes, landfills [...]
Quebec, language and oppression
March 29, 2012 | 2 Comments
I’ve been negligent in responding to Jared’s thorough post on Quebec’s language laws. He makes some solid points, but I still think the overall jist of the post is off-base. It really deserves a thorough discussion, but I’m not sure I’m up to that right now, so - as one who is disgusted by Quebec’s language [...]
Shoot thy neighbour
March 26, 2012 | 1 Comment
A friend of mine recently shared an observation about the tragic death of Trayvon Martin in Florida that revealed a much deeper truth about American justice. This friend, who has travelled for business in the United States for years and lives on the Ontario-Michigan border, is a keen observer of American culture, to put it [...]
You can’t legislate docility
March 23, 2012 | 1 Comment
The Tories struck a blow for vacationing upper middle class families when they decided to step in and take some fundamental rights away from the workers at Air Canada. The assumption was, I guess, that if they bullied the unions quickly and swiftly, the unions would just roll over and take it. But, that’s not [...]
Jamaican Journal
March 19, 2012 | No Comments
This post has little to do with voter turnout, politics, or even Canada. Just a quick update for Commons readers- I have moved to Jamaica as a Cuso volunteer to work with Y.O.U. Jamaica. It is an NGO that works with youth, providing mentoring and career counselling. I am excited about this wonderful opportunity, but [...]
Big Brother is watching you riot
March 19, 2012 | 1 Comment
My inner grumpy old man was seething last night and this morning as I watched the disturbing images of a St. Patrick’s Day student riot in London, Ont. I’m sure many a Londoner is probably thinking along of the lines of what’s-wrong-with-kids-these-days and I can’t blame them. I actually wrote an editorial for this blog [...]