Canada
Canadian MPs to return after seismic shifts over summer break
The summer saw several seismic shifts that mean the government will now operate as a true minority that could fall to an election at any time.
Air Canada, pilots reach tentative deal, averting work stoppage
The news of a preliminary deal with the Air Line Pilots Association came shortly after midnight on Sunday when the airline issued a press release just days ahead of a potential work stoppage for Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge.
Pierre Poilievre reacts to Immigration Minister's comments, claim of importing U.S.-style politics
Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Pierre Poilievre joined Elias Makos ahead of the upcoming LaSalle-Émard-Verdun byelection in Montreal. Originally aired on Montreal's CJAD radio
MP Leslie: Time for NDP to ‘Pull Support’ and trigger 'Carbon Tax Election'
Portage-Lisgar MP Branden Leslie has relayed Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's call for a non-confidence vote in the House of Commons in order to trigger what they are calling a a "carbon tax election."
How did Russian and Iranian trolls’ disinformation toward Canadian issues diverge and converge?
This academic study was published in 2021 but I just ran across it yesterday. The study analyzes Russian and Iranian trolls’ intervention in Canadian politics focusing on the 2015 election, revealing a wide spectrum of disinformation. Russian trolls showed some support for then prime minister Stephen Harper and were very critical of the current prime minister, Justin Trudeau. Also, they closely aligned themselves with conservative and far-right figures, while Iranian trolls supported the far left as well as the Palestinian cause. Iranian trolls frequently attacked the former prime minister, Harper, falsely accusing him of being a CIA agent and an ISIS supporter.
Modernizing Canada's Electoral System: What Drove the Creation of the National Register of Electors?
In 1997, Canada reformed its system of voter registration, adopting a permanent voters list. Existing accounts fail to adequately account for the political dynamics motivating the Chrétien government's decision to adopt a register. After decades of development in policy circles, a register was championed by policy entrepreneurs as a solution to growing problems with the enumeration system. Drawing on data from the parliamentary record, and the first-hand experience of an Elections Canada official, this article argues that the pivotal factor in winning political support for the adoption of a register was the shortened electoral calendar it enabled.
The Provinces
N.B. election 2024: Liberal and Green parties pitch themselves as strategic option
Both the Liberal and Green parties are pitching themselves to left-of-centre voters as the best chance to replace Tory premier Blaine Higgs.
Moe, Beck clash on taxes as announcements and promises fly
Moe spent time at the Lloydminster Heavy Oil Show alongside Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, announced increased timber allocation to a Saskatchewan company in Prince Albert and was in his constituency of Rosthern to unveil the potential site of a new hospital in the community. With less than three weeks until an election call, Moe's government and the Opposition have made a flurry of announcements.
Québec réclame une fois de plus la démission d’Amira Elghawaby, représentante spéciale du Canada sur la lutte contre l’islamophobie
La représentante fédérale recommande aux cégeps et universités plus de professeurs musulmans, palestiniens et arabes.
Francisation des nouveaux arrivants | Le PLQ demande un groupe d’action
Le Parti libéral du Québec (PLQ) demande au ministre Jean-François Roberge de créer un groupe d’action « pour assurer la livraison des services de francisation » avec des acteurs clés du gouvernement et d’organismes.
Former B.C. Conservatives candidate suing party over her removal
Alexandra Wright seeking over $800K in damages after being removed as election candidate for Kelowna-Mission.
Elsewhere
In Tied Presidential Race, Harris and Trump Have Contrasting Strengths, Weaknesses
Trump leads on the economy; Harris, on abortion and several personal traits. And supporters of the candidates have different views of what governing actions would be acceptable.
Dutch government eyes emergency laws to curb migration
The new far-right government in the Netherlands wants to wind back several policies in order to reduce the number of people seeking asylum. EU authorities have questioned the legality of the move.
Why Ukraine wants to use Western long-range missiles inside Russia
Ukraine is pushing for permission from its Western partners to use the long-range missiles they have provided to strike targets deep inside Russia, as Ukrainian forces struggle to hold back Russian advances in eastern Ukraine.
Russia's Medvedev Threatens Nuke Strike Would Turn Kyiv Into 'Gray Spot' On The Map
Russian officials have threatened that a possible decision by the West to allow Kyiv to use donated weapons to strike deeper into Russian territory would result in a major escalation of its war against Ukraine that could include the use of nuclear weapons.
Media
Major Russian disinfo site featuring anti-Trudeau articles prompts calls for new focus at public inquiry
A website at the heart of an international Russian disinformation operation has produced more than a dozen articles about Canadian politics in an apparent attempt to undermine support for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and boost his chief rival, Pierre Poilievre. The OLO seems displeased with this piece, with one person warningthe party "won’t take attempts to ‘Russiagate’ Pierre softly. Not sure there's anything to be concerned about here but there you are.
Mr. Poilievre, the CBC must be fixed not nixed
Kirk Lapointe: The time has come to tell us, Mr. Poilievre; to bring substance to an election issue about which many will want to debate—from those who hold it dear to those who hold it in contempt.
Science and tech
Explaining Support for Border Closures During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Exposure, Political Attitudes, or Pandemic Policy Feedback?
We find that higher support can partly be explained by political attitudes related to cross-border mobility, such as distrust in foreigners or right-wing ideology. Primarily, however, support for closing borders is shaped by respondents’ evaluation of governments’ handling of the pandemic, as well as the intensity and timing of the constraining measures. We also find that support wanes over time, which may indicate a policy fatigue effect. Interestingly, health concerns (exposure to the virus) have almost no influence on support.
Issued this day ...
… in 1917: Sc 135: 50th Anniversary of Confederation. Painting: Robert Harris
You can learn more about this super-famous painting “Meeting of the Delegates of British North America to Settle the Terms of Confederation, Quebec, October 1864” that Robert Harris (1848-1919) created c. 1890 at OurCommons.ca. The original was destroyed in the fire that engulfed the Parliament Buildings in 1916. An aging Harris declined to reproduce the work but it was memorialized on this stamp. In 1964 the Confederation Life Assurance Co. hired Toronto artist Rex Woods to create a version of the original composition. Woods increased the dimensions to 3.5 meters by two metres, added three figures and, in the background, a portrait of Harris. That reproduction was in the room in Centre Block where the caucus of the Official Opposition met every Wednesday and I'll be darned if I can remember where or if it is hanging anywhere in West Block now ...