This past Saturday, June 30, 2012, marked “25 years since Canada ditched its one-dollar bill in favour of a gold-coloured coin.” Every time I go to the United States, I still remember the alternative convenience of having several lightweight $1 bills in your pocket. I nonetheless agree that “while the move was somewhat controversial at […]
This morning’s announcement of the US Supreme Court decision, more or less upholding the constitutionality of so-called “Obamacare,” was a historic moment in the global village that begs some kind of comment. Even or perhaps especially up in the wild northern attic, where we already have a health care system that actually makes sense. There […]
In the strange spring of 2012 there is more and more evidence that the old Canadian confederation of 1867 is entering some kind of do-or-die moment in what many still see as its improbable history. My own sense is that this moment will last for quite a while (years, certainly, even a decade or more?). […]
It has now become clear beyond any reasonable doubt that, in the language of the first people who called themselves Canadians: “Le Globe and Mail écrivait hier que le ministère de l’Immigration et de la Citoyenneté avait accordé un permis de résidence temporaire d’un an au magnat de la presse déchu,” Conrad Black. Moreover: “M. […]
TORONTO. APRIL 24, 2:00 PM. So … as if the Alberta election weren’t enough of a surprise, the final act of the Liberal-NDP dance of the dialectic on Ontario Budget 2012 managed to bring us something a bit different too. For the details I just quote directly from Karen Howlett’s concise summary in the self-confessed […]
“And Barbara it’s starting to rain, very gently.” So a youthful Peter Mansbridge told David Frum’s mother – and TV viewers across Canada – as Elizabeth II approached the table to sign the proclamation of the Constitution Act, 1982, 30 years ago, on Saturday, April 17, 1982. The ceremony was held outdoors on Parliament Hill […]
I seldom agree with what Margaret Wente writes in her Globe and Mail column. She is speaking from and for a different universe than the one I inhabit. But there are exceptions to every rule. And I think Ms. Wente is at least half right today, in “Justin Trudeau for leader! Okay, maybe not.” She […]
[UPDATED APRIL 2] : David Ogilvy, the original Mad Man (founder and creative head of Hewitt, Ogilvy, Benson, & Mather, which later morphed into just Ogilvy & Mather, 1948—1975), apparently had three simple rules of success: “First, make a reputation for being a creative genius. Second, surround yourself with partners who are better than you […]
So, people are asking me (well some people anyway), “have you changed your mind about THE current big issue in Ottawa since your post this past Sunday (‘Catching up with false robocalls rising in 2011 Canadian federal election’)?” My short answer, for what it’s worth, is I still don’t know – and I suppose I […]
Sunday, February 26, 2010, at the edge of a great lake in the northern North American wilderness. Waiting for Oscar, looking in on the NDP federal leadership debate in Winnipeg (thank you CPAC) … and, despite my better judgment, finally starting to wonder about the May 2, 2011 robocalls election scandal (or whatever it is) […]
