Melissa Lantsman – A Woman of Consequence

 Melissa Lantsman has taken the House of Commons by storm. One of Parliament’s quickest-rising Conservative voices, she was elected MP for the Thornhill constituency in 2021 and appointed deputy opposition leader by Pierre Poilievre in 2022. Lantsman’s story is typical of someone who grew up interested in politics, but her

“The Right Path” on a winding road.

 The Right Path: How Conservatives Can United, Inspire and Take Canada Forward Author: Tasha Kheiriddin Published by: Optimum Publishing International ISNB - 13: 9780888903310 The Conservative Party of Canada’s third leadership race in six years will be decided on September 10th. The winner of what has been, at times, a very nasty

Election 2021

 As a candidate in five separate elections, all winning ones, the Hon. Sergio Marchi knows a thing or two about political campaigns. During the 2021 federal election, he contributed a series of articles that analyzed the emerging issues and events. We have assembled them together to make them easier to review. Click on the image

Election 2021: Race deadlocked!

 Image Source: Global News This is Sergio Marchi’s fifth article, in a series of weekly election analysis and reflections. One week to go. That’s all the time left for political leaders to make their closing pitches for votes. At the start of week four, Nanos Research had the Liberals back

Stab, stab, stab: time to bring out the classics

 As a once-prominent federal Liberal, my DMs this week have been a less-than-fun place. The overall message to Team Trudeau? Welcome to your first real election! Yes, the team ran a solid campaign in 2015 and came from 3rd to win a majority. Props. But they were running against a

Let the games begin

 The Hon. Sergio Marchi was a successful politician, municipally and federally. He was a candidate in five separate elections, all winning ones, so he knows a thing or two about campaigns. During this federal election, Marchi will contribute a series of articles, analyzing the emerging issues and events that will

Skip the election tea leaves and grab a summer cocktail

 It is once again time to play official Ottawa’s favourite game show: wild-ass nonsensical election speculation! You’ll forgive me for not being excited. The volumes of ink (digital and otherwise) spilled on prognostications of one sort or another during a minority government could drown a horse. And with constant cuts

To win, Conservatives first need to see Red

 The starting gun has been fired on the Conservative Party leadership race. Questions of ‘who’s in’ and ‘who’s out’ are swirling. The leadership race is also bringing to the fore another important, perhaps more consequential question: what does it mean to be a Tory today? Maclean’s Paul Wells recently touched

Ottawa Life’s 2019 Election Outlook: Ottawa-Vanier — What Happened to Dignity

 Ottawa—Vanier (formerly known as Ottawa East) is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the House of Commons of Canada since 1935. Before that date, it was part of the Ottawa electoral district that returned two members. The riding generally corresponds to the wards of

Ottawa Life’s 2019 Election Outlook: Ottawa Centre – Some very impressive candidates from all parties but Catherine McKenna will be hard to beat

 Ottawa Centre (French: Ottawa-Centre) is an urban federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the House of Commons of Canada since 1968. While the riding's boundaries (mainly to the south and west as the north and east borders have remained the Ottawa River and Rideau River,

Ottawa Life’s 2019 Election Outlook: Ottawa West-Nepean — Ethics-challenged Anita Vandenbeld is a complete dud

 Ottawa West—Nepean is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the House of Commons of Canada since 1997.The district includes the neighbourhoods of Shirleys Bay, Crystal Beach, Rocky Point, Bayshore, Britannia, Britannia Bay, Lincoln Heights, Whitehaven, Glabar Park, Queensway, Highland Park, Kenson Park, Redwood, Graham

Uproar over Ford’s tuition framework: Is it warranted?

 Many of Ontario’s college and university students are in uproar after the provincial government announced its 10 percent decrease of tuition, as well as the drastic reduction of non-repayable grants through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).  It’s clear that Doug Ford’s new tuition framework will have a huge impact

Little Risk Big Reward – Why Caroline Mulroney is the Smart Choice for Conservatives

 The four candidates running to replace former Progressive Conservative Party leader Patrick Brown will face off in Ottawa today in the second and final debate before the leadership vote begins this weekend, with the result to be announced March 10. The party was thrown into chaos after the resignation of

Change

 Photo courtesy of Jean-Marc Carisse. Voters Decided It Was Sunny Ways Rather Than Rainbows and Unicorns Ten years is a long time for any government to be in power. Stephen Harper led Canada through some tumultuous times. He deserves a great deal of credit for guiding Canada through the 2008

Are we finally in a health election campaign?

 Why more affordable medications for Canadians should be an all-party priority in this federal election. It's become almost a matter of faith: health and health care are perennially among the top priorities for Canadians, but are nearly invisible in election platforms and debates. This observation has led health care providers, health care

Give Pierre a Chance

 With new cabinet responsibilities, Pierre Poilievre has the opportunity to prove his worth The new minister responsible for the National Capital Commission isn’t without his critics. Pierre Poilievre, who has served as the minister of state for democratic reform since July 2013, has gained what seems like an unending supply

Public Service Week: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

 Twenty-two years ago, then-MP Marlene Catterall introduced a private member’s bill recognizing the third week of June as National Public Service Week, a week to celebrate the work and achievements of the people who make up the Public Service of Canada. The bill was the idea of the Professional Institute

Citizens and Parliament Must be Consulted on Election Rules

 The Harper Government’s Bill C-23, Fair Elections Act is currently before the House of Commons, and it should come as no surprise that the Conservatives are using the bill to manipulate the rules that govern how Canadians vote. After all, the Harper Government has been at odds with Elections Canada

How We Lead: Canada in a Century of Change by Joe Clark

 In HOW WE LEAD: Canada in a Century of Change, former Canadian Prime Minister Joe Clark launches an impassioned argument for Canada to reassert its international position as an agent of change, diplomacy and peace. Drawing on our history, successes, and the unique qualities that we possess today, Clark describes

No More Mudslinging: Deeper Focus on Accountability Needed on the Hill

  Senate spending scandals shouldn’t be an excuse for pointing fingers, but an opportunity to improve accountability across the board in the Canadian government.  The latest investigations into the expenses of Conservative and Liberal Senators Mike Duffy, Patrick Brazeau, Mac Harb and Pamela Wallin, have proven troubling. After being reviewed by

Democracy Watch Unloads on Harper Government for Chronic Lack of Accountability in Series of Cover-ups

 According to Democracy Watch, "biased, lapdog investigations mean cover-up of Senate scandal most likely outcome and public inquiry will be needed – Wright, Duffy should be found guilty of violating ethics rules, and possibly other laws "Ethics Commissioner has covered up twice already for Nigel Wright, Senate Ethics Officer is