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

Why ISIS and its friends must be opposed

 On the eve of the outbreak of the Second World War, and even for a while in its early stages, many in Canada were opposed to going to war. While amongst them, there were a few proto-Nazis and Nazi sympathizers, the vast majority were merely isolationists, pacifists and some on

Curtain Call

 Enriching lives through the magic of theatre, Phoenix Players is a registered charity dedicated to bringing high-quality, affordable entertainment to Ottawa communities. It has been a long journey to success for Phoenix Players. In 2001, the initial founders were motivated by their passion for theatre and wanted to improve the

Publisher’s Message: Wrong

 In January 2013, Ottawa Life Magazine featured Kathleen Wynne on its cover with the headline A Few Good Women. Wynne was running for the provincial Liberal leadership which she would end up winning later that month. Today, she is Ontario’s first female Premier and the first openly gay Premier in

Defending workers’ rights while advocating for a new approach

 How do we determine value in Ontario? This question typically drives the development of economic policy, but in today’s Ontario, it also frames labour relations. If one were to listen to some politicians, lobby groups and thinktanks, one would assume that workers in this province were overpaid, underworked and slacking

Let Opera Lyra’s Tosca Take you Away

 Photo courtesy of Marc Fowler. There is nothing quite grander than hearing beautiful voices singing about love, betrayal and politics. There is one chance left to catch Opera Lyra’s production of Puccini’s Tosca and you shouldn’t miss it:  Saturday night.  The singing, set, costumes and music will instantaneously transport you

The ABCs of Teaching Democracy

 In an effort to connect Canadians with democratic values and traditions, Canada’s fourth annual Democracy Week will be this September 15-21. To celebrate Democracy Week, Elections Canada and their partners are holding or participating in several activities and events across Canada. One of these activities is a panel discussion called

Fair Elections start with an independent Commissioner

 Elections law enforcement starts with a strong Commissioner, who has the independent authority to investigate offences. The Fair Elections Act empowers law enforcement by giving him sharper teeth, a longer reach and a freer hand. Sharper teeth means tougher penalties for existing offences which has received broad support from parliamentarians,

Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable John Baird weighs in on the crisis in Ukraine, strong ties with Israel, growing ties with Kazakhstan and his priorities as the MP for Ottawa West-Nepean

 OLM: Can you comment on your impressions on the Ukraine situation after your visit with members from Canada’s Ukrainian diaspora? My visit to Kyiv was a very sobering one. Just last December, I was in the Maidan speaking with Ukrainians about their aspirations for a better, brighter future, one that

Baird, Poilievre, Trudeau – Ottawa’s cold winter parliament warms up for Ukraine

 It’s been a busy season for politics during the deep freeze of winter. Ottawa West- Nepean MP and Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird has been busy on the home front addressing the needs of his constituents while ensuring he represents Canada with a strong voice internationally. He leveled a stern

Governments have a responsibility to get the big things right

 By David McGuinty. Governments have a responsibility to get the big things right. Transportation safety is certainly one of them. Commercial vehicle driver fatigue is a serious issue that deserves our attention. However, there is often confusion about jurisdictional responsibilities for transportation regulations. According to Transport Canada, “Provincial and territorial

A Leader in Her Own Right

 For many, our parents serve as mentors and are a source of inspiration and motivation. But imagine if one of your parents was a mentor to not only you but an entire nation. This was the reality that Catherine Clark grew up with. Her father is former Canadian Prime Minister

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

Tragedy Touches Lac-Mégantic

 Just over a week ago, the picturesque Quebec town of Lac-Mégantic entered the public lexicon for all the wrong reasons. On Saturday, July 6, at 1:14 a.m., an unmanned runaway freight train belonging to the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic (MMA) Railway Ltd. derailed in the heart of the town. But

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

Time for Toronto’s Media Elites to Take a Look in the Mirror

 By Joanna Plucinska All journalists should be concerned about recent decisions taken by the Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail concerning the standard of evidence they require in reporting. In their quest to “investigate” the actions of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and his Councilor brother Doug Ford, many in

City Must Put Western LRT into Underground Tunnel: Partially Buried Trains Won’t Save Parkway Greenspace

 The City of Ottawa must ensure that the Light Rail Transit (LRT) it proposes for the Western Parkway is moved to an underground tunnel, said Lesley Taylor, president of the community group Underground Solution.  “The City of Ottawa’s proposed trenched LRT route will drastically reduce access to the parkland of

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

Kevin Page: A Hero for Our Time

 By Gary Corbett When Kevin Page, Canada’s first Parliamentary Budget Officer, steps down next month after five years on the job, he’ll do so with a respect and admiration accorded few professional public servants – not because he went above and beyond the call of duty (many do) or because

Are you ready for Canada’s largest independent literary celebration?

 By Clayton Andres When his father Neil first came up with the idea of a writing festival in Ottawa, Sean Wilson thought his dad was insane. “At the time, I had been noticing that just about everyone I knew in the creative community had the sense that they had to

Opposition Leader Tim Hudak says with Ontario facing unprecedented job losses and a massive deficit, six million in bonuses to LCBO management is wrong

 Premier Dalton McGuinty recently announced that the Ontario government is considering selling off crown assets such as the LCBO to reduce the deficit. Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak is convinced that such a move is not the right way to go. "Selling off crown assets is the wrong approach to

Innovation in Canada’s Science and Technology Sector: Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s New Strategy

 Governments do not create prosperity. It's created by business and the best thing government can do is mitigate any unnecessary interference with companies as they do their business. Canada has the world's fifth-largest aerospace industry with world-beating companies, such as Bombardier and CAE, and with the workhorse of NASA —

Giving Up On Government As An Agent For The Public Good…Is Not A Good Idea

 When I first got into the commercial polling business, about 70% of Canadians held a somewhat favourable impression of politicians. Today, more believe in the devil or that Elvis is alive than hold this particular point of view. Now, I know all of us smirk knowingly, from time to time,

Reg Alcock navigates by an ethical compass

 By Jennifer O'Meara Treasury Board president Reg Alcock has been rocking the boat this past year, but then he always was a bit a monkey. It was a long time ago, when someone gave him a simian as a pet. Alcock needed to establish dominance, so he bit the monkey.

No First Ladies in retirement, please

 Teresa Heinz Kerry and Laura Bush may differ in public personalities and the way in which they campaign for their husbands; however, there is no comparison to the obvious lack of action from our Canadian "First Ladies." These ladies lack the zest, courage and obvious public profile that helped their