Still strangely enthralled by legendary Tory oligarchs of the 19th century, the mainstream media usually tries hard not to notice. But there is nonetheless an ardently gurgling Canadian republican activism even in various anglophone parts of the country in the early 21st century. This activism has a number of reasons for wanting to retire the […]

Without any doubt, we would say here, the biggest news of 2012 in the larger universe to which Canada belongs (though quite independently of course!) was the re-election of Barack Obama as president of the USA. And we did at least follow this big story, like everyone else. As early as January 13, 2012 we […]

According to a Toronto Star report this past Friday: “Premier Dalton McGuinty’s resignation has given the Ontario Liberals a significant bounce … the governing Grits have vaulted to second place, ahead of the New Democrats, and closed the gap with the Progressive Conservatives, says the latest Forum Research survey.” The report goes on: “The Conservatives […]

We’re not exactly overjoyed by Justice Charles Hackland ‘s decision to remove Toronto Mayor Rob Ford from office [well sort of, and maybe, at some point], over conflict of interest rule violations. Like West Side Noel in this space during the middle of this past September, we’re too worried that it will ultimately backfire on […]

First there was “David McGuinty quits for telling Tory MPs to ‘go back to Alberta’.”Â  Then there was : “Trudeau and Grits suffer blows with anti-Alberta comments”; “Justin Trudeau faces uproar for alleged anti-Alberta comments in 2010 interview” ; and “Trudeau campaign forced to address 2010 comments on Alberta.” Yet just how devastating all this […]

One technologically democratic feature of the Obama White House website is “We the People …. Your Voice in Our Government.” Here ordinary American citizens can create and/or sign petitions in support of whatever proposals for government action (or inaction) take their fancy. As a sign of just how upset some people are about the result […]

Among other things, Premier Dalton McGuinty’s recent prorogation of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario has re-surfaced growing concerns about just how governors general of Canada and lieutenant governors of the provinces are chosen nowadays. As the Canadian Press has explained : “Former governor general Michaelle Jean came under intense scrutiny for twice agreeing to controversial […]

Even with only five more days to go, it’s hard not to agree with Abigael Evans of Colorado, who is “tired of Bronco Bama and Mitt Romney.”Â  (And then, we read in the same coverage : “At the Al Smith dinner earlier this month, even President Barack Obama joked that ‘sometimes it feels like this […]

Judging by the poll on the Globe and Mail site today, not very many Canadians outside Quebec are concerned that “France has re-instated its non-interference, non-indifference policy toward Quebec nationalism.” There may nonetheless be a few who are wondering what this report elsewhere on the Globe and Mail site means: “Premier Pauline Marois got what […]

As a kind of coda, footnote, or l’envoi to various recent postings on this site (including the October 4 tribute to the late great Charles Roach), we’d just like to offer a quick thumbs up to a provocative passage in Chantal Hébert’s October 5 column in the Toronto Star, “Here’s how the Liberals can make […]