The Bigotry of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
May 8, 2013 | 4 Comments
Is there any more annoying chatter than two people arguing about how to fix something that is, by design, fundamentally broken? That’s what we have been subjected to recently with all the arguments about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. For those not familiar the TFWP allows Canadian employers to import non-Canadian workers. These privileged few [...]
The Rights-And Responsibilities-Of Free Speech
March 15, 2013 | 2 Comments
By now, everyone’s probably heard about the sickening comments conservative academic Tom Flanagan made about child pornography. The backlash was swift and immediate-the provincial Wildrose Alliance party of Alberta fired Flanagan, the CBC dropped him from its Power And Politics political news show, the Manning Centre for Building Democracy dropped Flanagan from its list of [...]
Wearing Shame
October 24, 2012 | 19 Comments
In the previous post about the increase in the rate of self-harm among inmates, I wrote that this is “a great shame that we all wear”, without elaborating. In the comments, Peter pushed back: Thanks for dropping in to give us a heads-up about the shame and responsibility we all bear for this, Jonathan. I can [...]
An Answer for Jared on the Abortion Question
May 26, 2012 | 5 Comments
Recently, Jared asked: The curious thing is that I can’t recall finding anything specifically related to birth control in my readings of the New Testament. Exactly what theological justification do anti-abortion activists cite? Something in the New Testament? Something in the Old Testament? The Ten Commandments, particularly the one that says “thou shalt not kill?” [...]
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 [...]