The brutish mother of all federal elections is (mercifully) nearing its conclusion. But a few twists and turns are still possible, as the leader of the third party recently showed us. The Tories are ahead of the Liberals in most opinion polls, albeit by a narrow margin of one to two per cent. The former…
Why conservatives like Scheer are held to a different standard than liberals like Trudeau
Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer have both had to deal with some controversial matters during this fall’s federal election. It was revealed that Trudeau appeared in either blackface or brownface on three occasions, the last one at age 29 when he was a teacher at a private school. He and…
Canadians have witnessed major scandals, offensive remarks, daily mud-slinging and policy proposals with big, shiny numbers that are wasteful enough to make adults cry
The federal election has just passed the halfway mark and many Canadians can’t wait until it’s over. This isn’t related to the usual malaise and frustration we see and hear during election season. Rather, it has everything to do with the fact this has been the most ridiculous political campaign in Canadian history. Where to…
What will it say about our country if Trudeau is re-elected after this latest scandal?
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has experienced one of the most controversial, bizarre and mind-numbing episodes in Canadian political history. It’s damaged his public image and tarnished his reputation. On Sept. 18, Time magazine released a 2001 photo from a school yearbook that showed Trudeau in brownface. He was a 29-year-old teacher at West Point Grey…
Don’t believe everything you hear from the masters of spin. Do your own research using legitimate news sources
Political spin and media spin drive some Canadians up the proverbial wall. As a long-time columnist and political pundit who has occasionally utilized both of them (for my own purposes and never for a political party), I can understand why. The real key to understanding spin is there are often kernels of truth in the…
Young Canadian tennis phenom’s skill, poise, determination, power and athleticism suggest a bright future awaits
Canada has had some great moments in sports, from Tommy Burns winning the heavyweight boxing title in 1906 to the Toronto Raptors winning this year’s National Basketball Association championship. One more name can be added to the list: Bianca Andreescu. The 19-year-old Mississauga, Ont., native’s meteoric rise in tennis has taken the country by storm.…
Believed to be the perfect political antidote to Trump, the blows to Trudeau's manufactured reputation just keep coming
U.S. President Donald Trump has successfully turned the political narrative toward his general direction since taking office. This includes events he had nothing specifically to do with. When left-wing Democrats like Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar make outrageous statements, their defenders often say, “but’s it’s nothing like Trump’s rhetoric.” When celebrities like Bette Midler and…
Stalwart "progressives" such as Jean Chretien, Barack Obama and even Ralph Goodale were also once opposed to gay marriage
How many of you remember what you said and did 10 years ago? How about 15 years? How about 20, 25 – or more? Most people would prefer not to revisit these periods of ancient history. Some were silly. Others were embarrassing. Still others were downright awful. Had iPhones and other handheld devices been readily…
Conservative leader has made it clear that he intends to hold the prime minister accountable for his actions related to SNC-Lavalin on the campaign trail
My wife and I are staying at a bed-and-breakfast called the Perth Manor Boutique Hotel in Perth, Ont. It was constructed as a large private residence in 1878 by lawyer/mercantilist J.T. Henderson for £12,000, or roughly $409,000 in today’s currency. The residence, which has maintained its 19th-century beauty and charm, is a nostalgic trip back…
The federal Conservative leader is in a real dogfight with Justin Trudeau and the provincial Tory leader’s help could make a difference
During a traditional political campaign, parties and leaders use as many weapons at their disposal as possible to win elections and form governments. In the Oct. 21 Canadian federal election, expect the major party leaders to campaign with like-minded premiers and opposition leaders as part of that strategy. Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will appear…