Can the Government Make Housing and Groceries More Affordable? Don’t Hold Your Breath

 Pierre Poilievre, who is always good for a catchy line, recently commented on the Liberal cabinet ministers’ meeting with grocery titans to try and persuade them to reduce prices: “It’s an act, and what we need is action.” Much of the political crowing about attacking the inflated cost of living, like

Being seriously informed is the only way to save us from real political decline.

 Canadian Politics is facing a double whammy: A CPC leader who mistrusts journalists and believes in conspiracy theories, and growing distrust and reduced influence of journalists. The degradation of Canadian politics continues with the convincing crowning of Pierre Poilievre as the undisputed king of Canadian Conservatives. We now have a

PM goes into hiding as convoy protest arrives in Ottawa

 The Freedom Convoy is one of the more interesting political protests in the last 20 years. The anti-vax attitudes of some of the participants have been a central theme of the media coverage but it is not the only reason the protest is picking up steam: the convoy of trucks

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

Democracy Watch calls for update on SNC-Lavalin prosecution

 In February, 2019, the SNC-Lavalin scandal erupted and upended Canadian politics—for a moment. After a six-month-long investigation, Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion concluded Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alone had exerted undue pressure on Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould to defer criminal prosecution of the construction company SNC-Lavalin. Though Dion’s report concluded that

“What we have here is a failure to communicate.”

 Above: Paul Newman in an outake from the film Cool Hand Luke. The captain in Cool Hand Luke (1967) wasn’t referring to Canada’s vaccine roll out but man, his famous line is apt. Let’s be clear: most Canadians want the Covid-19 vaccine ASAP. So do most Belgians. And Germans. Argentinians. Indians. South

Punishing the radical right in America — Cauterizing the radical right

 by Howard Adelman Just over fifty years ago, in October 1970 (in what became known as the Crise d’octobre or the October Crisis), Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act. It was the first peaceful use of that Draconian measure. It set aside the civil liberties of all

Designs and Democracy: The politics of imperfectly levelled playing fields

 One of the facts of life on the water is that reckless operators of boats are legally responsible for their wake damage. But you have to catch them first. In the politics of democracies, it’s even more of a free-for-all, but sometimes your wake damage does catch up with you.

It’s time to shorten the Cabinet bench

 The NHL Stanley Cup playoffs are scheduled to start in two weeks, and we’ll soon hear sportscasters expounding on players’ performances: plumbers – not the best players but those that will go into the corners and do the dirty work; floaters – often the most talented players but not the

Charisma has failed us — and winter is coming

 “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.” ―  Margaret Thatcher The next prime minister of Canada will be the most hated person in the country for years to come. Whether Liberal,Conservative on NDP, he or she will have to deal with the financial mess

Justin Trudeau and the Peter Principle

 Photo credit: Adam Scotti (PMO) The former Stephen Harper government was very competent but lacked a soul. After nine years, Canadians tired of this prickliness and wanted change. Justin Trudeau was the change. The son of Pierre Elliott Trudeau, one of Canada’s most transformative prime ministers whose 1982 Charter of

Perfect 10 at the NAC! Sir John A.: Acts of a Gentrified Ojibway Rebellion

 The NAC has pulled off a theatrical perfect 10 in Drew Hayden Taylor’s Sir John A:  Acts of a Gentrified Ojibway Rebellion.  It is a thought-provoking play about various issues such as First Nations relations,  the struggles of youth, reconciling with history, justice and finding your place in the world. 

Tap into Trudeau with Trudeau Stories

 Photo credits:  Kelly Clipperton The year was 1985, she, a second-year theatre school student at the National Theatre School in Montreal and he, Canada’s 15th charismatic, charming Prime Minister. They meet at a gala fundraiser, share a dance and begin an improbable friendship that lasted 15 years. The play is

Navigating the Rough Waters with Chantal Kreviazuk

 Two mothers share a piano bench, one is a two-time Juno Award winner and member of the Order of Canada, the other is an activist, former television host and spouse of the Prime Minister. Both are beautifully butchering John Denver’s “Leaving on a Jet Plane” like there wasn’t a captive

Society Salon Celebrates Grand Opening

 The newest blow dry bar and salon to come to downtown Ottawa celebrated their grand opening in front of city officials, longstanding clientele and friends on Tuesday. Standing outside the Sparks Street location, Society Salon owner Stefania Capovilla unveiled the new blow dry bar featuring two blow dry chairs and

Keeping Science Safe

 It’s time to close the gaps governing human participation in scientific research in Canada The disturbing announcement recently that a man died and four others were seriously harmed in Rennes, France as a result of participation in a research study is a timely reminder of the importance of protecting those

A Revolution in Political Communications

 It’s a safe bet that the large numbers of younger Canadians among the 3 million new voters who cast ballots in the last election did not open a paper or watch TV news to get their political information. This is the internet, mobile phone and social media generation, and they

Dear Health Minister – Please Reinstate Funding for Cochrane Canada

 Cochrane is a key global healthcare resource that needs Canada’s involvement Imagine you’re our new Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. Despite a grueling election campaign, you’re flush with energy and idealism in a country where “better is always possible.” One key priority is improving Canada’s prosperity but there are also many

Get Your Politics On With Generous at the GCTC

 All photos courtesy of Pascal Huot The Great Canadian Theatre Company is opening its season with a solid hit of political theatre. Generous, by award-winning Canadian playwright Michael Healey, is a great play to see at any time, but it’s a special treat during an election campaign. Generous at first

What You Need to Know About the Election

 On your marks, get set, go! The race is on. The federal election to determine Canada’s 42nd parliament and leader has begun. Set to end with the October 19 election, this campaign will be the longest in over a century (since 1872), running for a full 78 days. In Canada,

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

New Democrat Olivia Chow Wants Harper’s Conservatives to Put the Safety of Canadians First

 Protecting Canadians is one of the most basic responsibilities of our government, and this principle applies to our transportation system. As the NDP critic for Transportation and Infrastructure, I am convinced that our federal government could be doing a lot more to improve the safety on our roadways while preventing

Letter from the Publisher

 Twelve years ago when we started the first Annual Top People in the Capital issue, JDS Uniphase CEO Jozef Straus was our number one pick. Remember him? Do you even remember JDS Uniphase – the Halley’s Comet of Ottawa high-tech companies? Other picks in 2000 included then Prime Minister Jean Chrétien

The Shame of our Generation

 The condition and treatment of Canada’s Aboriginal people is the shame of our generation. The statistics speak for themselves. One in four First Nations children live in poverty; twenty-five per cent of Aboriginal people live in seriously substandard housing; overcrowding among First Nations families is double the rate of that

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 —