Personal Reflection on Current Canadian Politics

1. Conservative Party blocks controversial candidate Richard Décarie from running for leadership by Brian Platt. Available at https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/conservative-party-blocks-controversial-candidate-richard-decarie-from-running-for-leadership

Summary 

This article, the main story, is that the Conservative Party appears to have blocked Richard Decarie from vying for the Party’s leadership position after releasing a “final list” of candidates that did not include him. Perhaps the omission of Decarie is from his stand on the issue of gays and traditional marriages. Decarie had said that being gay is a choice, a statement that prompted outrage and was strongly condemned by many MPs from the Conservative Party as well as leadership candidates such as Erin O’Toole, Peter MacKay and Marilyn Gladu. Decarie had also taken a strong position in support of traditional marriages, a matter that may be different from the kind of leader wanted by the Conservative Party and what the Party itself stands for. However, the Party, through an anonymous spokesman clarified that Decarie’s name was not in the list because of the “general nature of his application,” and not because of his remarks as other leaders with socially-conservative ideas like Leslyn Lewis had made the list.

Relation to the Course Textbook 

This article is speaking about party leadership and party elections (Telford, 2014, p.42). The article also speaks about the ideals and what the political parties of Canada stand for (Telford, 2014, p.32). The article shows that the Conservative Party of Canada appears to have taken a position that is contrary to what Decarie, showing why he was heavily criticised by party members after uttering those controversial remarks. The article also shows the process followed by political parties in Canada when they want to elect a leader from the available pool of candidates (Telford, 2014, p.42). Among other things, candidates are required to submit a fee of $300,000, of which $100,000 is refundable. Candidates are also required to collect a total of 3000 signatures from party members. An individual’s candidature is also based on questionnaires, written work, social media feeds and background checks to confirm their integrity.

Reflection 

I am impressed by the way Richard Decarie has demonstrated that he is a principled man, because nowadays it is not easy to find a principled man who is ready to stand by what he believes in. at the moment, most of the political parties are facing the same dilemma as the Conservative Party. I personally do not care if Decarie is allowed to run or not. Political parties should make it clear how they define core elements that make up their platform and subsequently require that any prospective candidate adhere to the defined core elements. I think that there is no perfect functional democratic model that guarantees that all requirements will be met by candidates. I, however, believe that the process should be less arbitrary, that is, include a minimal requirement that prospective leadership candidates should meet, one that has been agreed upon by all party members.

I also think that the decision by the Party to block Decarie’s candidature is unfair and democratic. Instead, the Party should allow him to run and allow the party members to decide on whether to elect him or not. Even though the matter of gays and the whole LGBTQ one is controversial one in today’s society, I believe that it should not have any effect on who gets elected and who does not.

2. Conservative leadership notebook: After first deadline, up to nine candidates contend for the throne by Brian Platt and Stuart Thompson. Available at https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/conservative-leadership-notebook-after-first-deadline-up-to-nine-candidates-contend-for-the-throne

Summary 

This article is also about the leadership election for the Conservative Party. So far eight candidates have qualified to run while one is awaiting confirmation. The major question at the moment is how many contenders can meet the next cut-off date of March 25. The candidates can be broken down into three major categories, where O’Toole and MacKay are the favourites, Husny, Gladu and Peterson are generally moderate and are optimistic to drive debates around policy matters and grow to become favorites. Sloan, Lewis, Decarie, and Karahalios are backed by social-conservative establishments and hope to be supported by the Party’s hard-line conceptual base. It is also noted that O’Toole has started to court the social conservative vote, as that will give him an edge over MacKay. O’Toole has promised that, should he get elected, he will permit party members to have free votes on matters of conscience and morals such as abortion, euthanasia, and gay marriage. There are also policy issues aimed at defending Canada’s agricultural supply management system.

Relation to the Course Textbook 

This this article is also speaking about party leadership and party elections (Telford, 2014, p.42). The Conservative Party requires candidates to pay a fee of $300,000, where $100,000 is refundable. Also as a requirement, candidates are also required to gather at least 25,000 signatures from the party members before they can be allowed to run. In the article, we are told that the first eight candidates whose candidature is ‘official’ have paid a $25,000 fee and have gathered 1,000 signatures from members of the Party. The candidates also have to be approved by the Party’s nomination committee (Telford, 2014, p.42). The article also talks about the stance and beliefs of the political parties on various social issues like gay marriage, induced death and abortion (Telford, 2014, p.32). I also want to see the Party streamline its nomination and candidate approval process so that potentially good candidates are not locked out because they might have principles that majority of the party members stand for.

Reflection 

Even though I agree that MacKay has significant advantage because of his name recognition, it might be not in the way people think. Therefore, I think it is not a good idea to rule out the other candidates yet as they are capable of pulling a surprise on MacKay. The candidates who have endeared themselves to the Party’s base should particularly be watched since they can gain their support and pull a surprise on the favorites.

I also think that the strategy adopted by Marilyn Gladu can win with her strategy of strongly defending Canada’s agricultural supply management system. This is because the same approach was used by Andrew Scheer and the Quebec dairy farmers won him the vote.

3. Andrew Scheer allows Conservative MP to introduce bill seeking ban on sex-selection abortions by Stephanie Levitz. Available at https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/scheers-commitment-not-to-reopen-abortion-debate-up-against-tory-mps-bill

Summary 

MP Cathay Wagantall has sponsored a private bill that aims at banning sex-selective abortions where pregnancies are ended if the foetus is not of the desired sex. The article points out that it is hard for privately-sponsored bills to pass, but Wagantall’s bill is going to be the subject of public debate. The bill is going to be tabled while Scheer is still the leader of the Conservative Party, even though he had demonstrated an unwillingness not to re-open the abortion debate. The move places the Party in a place of having to publicly debate the issue once again, a step that can be used against them by their Tories’ rivals in the next election. Scheer said through a spokesman that MPs are allowed to table business of their choice, indicating that he had softened on an earlier stance where he deterred party members from presenting bills that will re-open the debate about abortion.

Relation to the Course Textbook 

This article talks about the process of legislation and the types of bills. There are public or government-sponsored bills and private bills (Telford, 2014, p.99). In Canada, a private bill is one that is tabled in parliament who is not a cabinet minister. Private bills, unlike government bills, are not given priority and may only be considered during one of the daily Private Member’s Hours. The article also talks about leadership selection in political parties, albeit briefly (Telford, 2014, p.41). In this case the Conservative Party leadership elections are coming up and so far three candidates have their candidature official-Ontario MP Derek Sloan, activist Jim Karahalios and lawyer Leslyn Lewis. There is also the issue of party organization and party financing (Telford, 2014, p.43). With regards to party organization and financing no one among the enlisted contenders are done with the final step required to run-that of paying the Party $300,000 in fees, where $100,000 is refundable and issue a total of 3000 signatures. The deadline for this is March 25.

Reflection 

I support Saskatchewan MP Cathay Wagantall’s bill that seeks to ban sex-selection abortions. Personally, I feel that it is unethical to abort a foetus simply because it is not the desired sex that we would like to have for a child. The issue of abortion is a hot public matter that requires careful navigation, especially for public leaders. I also think it was a good move for the party leader, Mr. Scheer, to declare that he will allow the MP to table the bill, even though he had earlier indicated that he does not wish for members of his Party to re-open the debate. This is a good thing for party democracy. Banning sex-selective abortions should be a no brainer in a civilized society like Canada, and I firmly believe that there have to be parameters set and limits into the matter of abortion. I think that sex-selective abortions are the epitome of patriarchal oppression, and leaders should unite to condemn the practice, regardless of their earlier stance about the same matter. I also believe that the Conservative Party should handle the matter tactfully, as failure to do so would backfire spectacularly on them and could be used against them in the next elections by rivals.

4. John Ivison: Trudeau is facing the most critical test of his political career. Can he rise to the challenge? By john Ivison. Available at https://nationalpost.com/opinion/john-ivison-we-are-about-to-see-if-trudeau-has-the-capacity-to-rise-to-his-greatest-challenge?video_autoplay=true

Summary 

This is the opinion of John Ivison. He argues that the meetings convened to discuss the health and wealth of Canadians in response to the outbreak of the coronavirus and tumbling of the financial markets have been the most crucial ones so far in Trudeau’s tenure. Ivison argues that Trudeau has not been at the helm when the country is staring at crisis and that this is toughest test yet. The people are looking for assurance that there is a plan to guarantee that they and their relations will be safe and keep their jobs. Ivison asserts that these are dangerous times and the prime minister needs to step up and show that he is in charge. Canadians want help from the government to be an improvement of what Stephen Harper’s government did to sort the veteran’s affairs about five years ago.

Relation to the Course Textbook 

This article related to course work because it speaks about the role of the Prime Minister (Telford, 2014, p.85). The Prime Minister of Canada is the head of government, primary minister of the crown, chair of the cabinet (Telford, 2014, p.85). The prime minister also chooses the ministers who are to make up the cabinet. In this article the Prime Minister is required to demonstrate his ability to lead by virtue of him being the head of government. The Prime Minister is expected to show leadership by engaging the opposition and going outside overviews by telling the people what will be done to guarantee that employees are not obliged to report to work if they get to sick (Telford, 2014, p.82). The article also talks about the roles of cabinet ministers. In the article Ivison says that the treasury minister, Bill Morneau designated that the administration would take an incessant line to policy resolutions, instead of having all of them addressed in the budget.

Reflection 

I believe that this is a bad time for Canada to have a leader who, to be fair, can be described as weak like Justin Trudeau. I think at this moment, a strong leader will be calling press briefings to give directives aimed at tackling the coronavirus outbreak and the tumbling stock markets. I believe it was wrong for the Prime Minister to ‘hide’ even when the value of a drum of oil tumbled under the price of a 16-piece KFC bucket. I also think it was uncalled for the Prime Minister to take part in a charade question session instead of directly addressing the nation and saying what his government intends to do to save people’s lives and jobs.

I think that Justin Trudeau should try and redeem himself by taking bold measures that will take the fear out of the people who are worried about their health and financial affairs. I think that if the Prime Minister and his government put measures in place that will successfully address the issue of the coronavirus outbreak and heal the financial markets, then he will suddenly become a hero, more so because the public often forgets very fast.

5. Kelly McParland: Warren Buffett’s dropping of LNG project is a very big deal — because it hurts Quebec by Kelly McParland. Available at https://nationalpost.com/opinion/kelly-mcparland-warren-buffetts-dropping-of-lng-project-is-a-very-big-deal-because-it-hurts-quebec

Summary 

This is an opinion article written by Kelly McParland. In the article, McParland argues that there is something special about Buffet’s decision to stop a $4 billion investment in an LNG project in Canada. Even though Canada’s energy sector has not been short of bad news, this one is particularly special because the investment was to be in Quebec that is a stronghold for the Liberals. Quebec is credited for many things such as helping Trudeau retain his seat. The Liberal’s do not like being in the opposition, and Quebec is an important area to hunt for votes to ensure that does not happen. Buffet cited an unstable political environment as the main reason for pulling the plug on the investment. McParland hopes that the move by Buffet will serve as a wakeup call for the prime minister to be decisive, as the Liberal Party is fast losing its grip in the region. This is because the Party has no seats in Saskatchewan or Alberta, and in Quebec, they had 40 before the 2019 election and now they only have 35.

Relation to The Course Textbook 

Telford (2014) has a whole a whole chapter about the political landscape of Canada. He has divided the political landscape into various categories such as language (p.19), urban-rural (p.23), class (p.25) and region (p.21). In terms of region, it turns out that Quebec is a stronghold for the Liberal Party of Canada. Also, Quebec is a very volatile province and the possibility of its votes going into a stampede without warning is very high. Knowledge that Quebec is volatile and that it is a rich hunting ground for the liberal Party should serve as warning to the Liberal Party of Canada that the interests of the voters there should always come first.

Reflection 

I think that politicians should strike balance between matters of national interest and their politics. In this article, Buffet may have opted to stop the investment project because of concerns raised by environmental activists. At the same time, the investment would have created jobs for the people of Quebec. I believe that the best thing to be done is for the government to bring Buffet back onto the negotiating table and come up with an investment that takes care of the interests of all affected parties. I acknowledge the fact that environment conservation is paramount, and at the same time, the Liberals cannot afford to do anything that will displease the people of Quebec such as costing them the opportunity for thousands of jobs. I think by now the liberals are smart enough not to downplay the importance of Quebec to the Party. This is because Quebec was instrumental in the election of Justin Trudeau. I also think that politicians and the government at large should know how to calm the storm created by “placard-waving crowds with a single-minded agenda.” I think that the government should make the environmentalists see the bright side to the proposed investment in terms of jobs created and assure them that measures will be put in place to protect the environment.

 6. Chidley-Hill, J. (March 2020). Ontario Government Plans Bill to Help Workers Affected by Coronavirus Pandemic. The Globe and Mail. Available at https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-ontario-government-plans-bill-to-help-workers-affected-by-coronavirus/

Summary 

Ford says that the government is planning a bill designed at helping workers affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The bill will remove the requirement by employers that sick notes have to be provided by workers who cannot come to work because of illness in the wake of the virus outbreak and quarantine or self-isolation requirements. The bill will also require employers to provide protected leave for employees who have to take unpaid leave to be in quarantine or self-isolation. Ford’s government had repealed labor laws that gave employees two paid sick days per year and abolished the routine of needing sick notes after coming into office in 2018. NDP leader Andrea Horwath said the opposition was helping with the drafting of the emergency legislation to help Ontarians put up with the impact of the virus. However, the premier’s office did not specify when the bill will be tabled in parliament or if an emergency session will be convened.

Relation to the Course Textbook

A government bill is a draft legislative initiative presented to the parliament for approval before becoming law by the government (Telford, 2014, p.99). In this case, the Ontarian government wants to present an emergency bill to parliament to be passed into law to scrap an employer’s ability to need sick notes for employees in self-isolation or quarantine. The article also reflects the role of opposition in a democracy. The official role of the opposition is to keep the government in check (Telford, 2014, p.101). In the article, we are told that Andrea Horwath, the NDP leader, has been calling for the reinstatement of the measures that Ford’s government scrapped.

Reflection 

I think this is a good move by Ford’s government. Employees need to be protected from job requirements that, at times, tend to go overboard. I think that the legislation will beneft workers, especially given the strict movement, quarantine, and self-isolation rules issued by the government for people who suspect that they might have come into contact with the virus. Parliament should expedite and ensure that the bill is passed into law as soon as possible, given the urgency of the situation. I think that it seems rather odd for Ford at the moment since one of the things that he did after coming into office was to do away with laws requiring the provision of two paid sick days for employees per year and laws that banned the routine of needing sick notes. I think that his move was then not taken kindly with the labor force, and this is his chance to save his reputation. Thankfully, he is taking the chance. I also think that critics of Ford’s government are having a good time observing how he wants to hasty measures to clean what can be termed as a ‘mess’ that he had originally created. Nonetheless, I believe that Ford is doing the right thing since it takes a good leader to come back and right the wrongs that they did. I also want the bill to be designed in a way that there will be no room for cheating, where people who do not have the virus or have not come into contact with affected people cannot take advantage and deliberately stay away from work.

References

Telford, H. (2014). Rules of the Game: An Introduction to Canadian Politics. Pearson Education Canada.

McParland, K. (2020). Warren Buffett’s dropping of LNG project is a very big deal — because it hurts Quebec. National Post. Retrieved from https://nationalpost.com/opinion/kelly-mcparland-warren-buffetts-dropping-of-lng-project-is-a-very-big-deal-because-it-hurts-quebec

Ivison, J. (2020). Trudeau is facing the most critical test of his political career. Can he rise to the challenge? National post. Retrieved from https://nationalpost.com/opinion/john-ivison-we-are-about-to-see-if-trudeau-has-the-capacity-to-rise-to-his-greatest-challenge?video_autoplay=true

Levitz, S. (2020). Andrew Scheer allows Conservative MP to introduce bill seeking ban on sex-selection abortions. National Post. Retrieved from https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/scheers-commitment-not-to-reopen-abortion-debate-up-against-tory-mps-bill

Platt, B., and Thompson, S. (2020). Conservative leadership notebook: After first deadline, up to nine candidates contend for the throne. National Post. https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/conservative-leadership-notebook-after-first-deadline-up-to-nine-candidates-contend-for-the-throne

Platt, B. (2020). Conservative Party blocks controversial candidate Richard Décarie from running for leadership. National Post. Retrieved from https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/conservative-party-blocks-controversial-candidate-richard-decarie-from-running-for-leadership

Chidley-Hill, J. (March 2020). Ontario Government Plans Bill to Help Workers Affected by Coronavirus Pandemic. The Globe and Mail. Available at https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-ontario-government-plans-bill-to-help-workers-affected-by-coronavirus/