Latest news with #BrianMulroney
National Post
21-05-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Derek Burney: Carney won the election battle, but the trade war is far from over
Article content The Bloc Québécois also suffered from the Trump threat, losing 11 of its 33 seats in Quebec, although the party is pushing for a byelection in one riding where the Liberals won by a single vote. The Bloc's call for separation from Canada rang a bit hollow in the face of threatened annexation. Even though Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet openly described Canada as 'an artificial country,' he clearly saw little value for Quebec being swallowed up by America. Article content With the election now behind us, the hard task of governing a nervous, divided country begins. Brian Mulroney often said that the principal challenges for any Canadian prime minister are managing relations with the U.S. and maintaining national unity — more relevant perhaps today than ever. The best answer to both would be concrete plans to stimulate economic growth and improve productivity, competitiveness and investment. Revise our tax systems to attract not dispel investment, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. Overhaul regulatory and permitting processes to encourage, not stultify, development of our extensive energy and minerals, including rare minerals resources. Promote real investment partnerships with Indigenous communities to support resource development. Article content Carney tempered his strong environmental track record by emphasizing both conventional and clean energy products as the path for Canada to become an energy 'superpower.' His close friend, Tim Hodgson, who was appointed minister of natural resources, voiced a similar 'all of the above' approach on energy. Their straddle may come back to haunt them. Article content There should be no rush to negotiate with the U.S. until we clarify what its objectives are regarding Canada. The trust factor remains an open question. The Canadian government should forcefully challenge the American assertion that they are being 'ripped off' by Canada on trade, reminding them pointedly that excluding energy exports, 40 million Canadians buy almost as much from them as 347 million Americans buy from Canada. That is the reality. We should also litigate the gross violations to the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement and the bogus national emergency excuse for U.S. tariff actions, as a dozen American states are already doing in the U.S. Court of International Trade. Article content U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, United States Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum should be sought out as rational members of the U.S. cabinet to dialogue with, as opposed to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, whose views on Canada are off the wall. Article content Relations with the U.S. will never be the same but, if we bolster our economy pragmatically and rapidly revamp our shambolic military capability, we will strengthen our ability to stabilize what will continue to be our key relationship while enabling us as well to diversify with other partners using resources that Canada has in abundance. Article content The speech from the throne will lay out the government's plans and priorities, but a bloated cabinet, larger than any country of Canada's size warrants, and laced with many holdovers from the lost decade, is not a signal for real change. Besides, having four ministers with overlapping responsibilities for trade is a recipe for confusion, not coherence. Article content Mark Carney deserved to win the election, but bold action requires hard choices and firm leadership. Whether he will implement changes desperately needed to restore growth and competitiveness in Canada's economy will ultimately determine his fate as prime minister. Article content
Toronto Sun
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Letters to the Editor, May 10, 2025
Saturday letters Photo by Illustration / Toronto Sun TOO ABRASIVE This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account For older voters who remember the dignified conservatives of the Brian Mulroney and Robert Stanfield era, Pierre Poilievre is a bit of a disappointment. The abrasive and confrontational style of most of his career is alienating for many voters. Although Donald Trump has been successful with that style, it is far less appealing for Canadian voters. If Poilievre remains as leader, hopefully he will adopt the more dignified and restrained style of earlier leaders. Bruce Couchman Ottawa (Poilievre ran a good campaign, you have to give him that – and the abrasive nature you mention, it has toned down) STRONG JUDGEMENT Let's talk about judges these days. Of course there should be stricter penalties for wrongdoers. Where are the judges that criminals would hate to be in front of? If I was a judge, they would be shaking, crying and trembling at just the thought that I was on the bench that day. Criminals should tremble at the mere mention of a judge's name, knowing that the jail/prison sentence they receive would be severe. Just where are these judges? This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. R.J. Moskal Winnipeg (There are too many times do repeat offenders get a free pass) SAME ONLY DIFFERENT Trump claims the U.S. doesn't need anything from Canada. At the same time, he complains the U.S. buys too many things from Canada, creating a huge trade deficit. Surely someone of his vast intellect must realize both statements can't be true. Steen I. Petersen Nanaimo, B.C. (Apparently not) ROGAN'S ROW Re 'Joe Rogan mocks Canada for re-electing Liberals, claims Pierre Poilievre turned down podcast offer' (Mark Daniell, May 7): Rogan is a mindless blob. As a progressive conservative 60-year-old male who voted for Poilievre, I am glad he didn't. Kelly Lunn Dartmouth, N.S. (It likely wouldn't have made any difference) TRADE DEALS Maybe Trump is setting up lots of trade deals with other countries so that Canada will not have any ability to trade with the other countries and will economically collapse as he plans? Mark Carney needs to be very careful and so do we. Nick Bird Richmond Hill (Carney needs to get deals done for Canada immediately) Columnists Columnists NBA Columnists Toronto Maple Leafs
Edmonton Journal
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Opinion: Alberta must move beyond federal frustration
In terms of federal elections, Quebec offers a compelling case study in how a province can wield significant influence within Canada. In contrast to Alberta's narrow, one-party voting pattern, Quebec strategically aligns its votes to maximize its leverage. Throughout Canadian history, Quebec has demonstrated a remarkable ability to support different parties depending on which best serves its interests at that time. For example, Brian Mulroney's Conservative victories in the 1980s were heavily reliant on strong support from Quebec. Similarly, several Liberal governments were boosted by huge shifts in Quebec votes. In recent elections, Quebec has strategically supported minority governments, empowering both the Bloc Québécois and the NDP to ensure its concerns are addressed. In short, Quebec understands that its vote is a valuable bargaining chip, and Quebecers use it effectively to extract concessions and attention to their needs. In contrast, Alberta sticks to one party, muscles that party to serve its ideal, and then expects the rest of the country to fall in line. We feel Canadians should change to suit us, which is much harder to do (even with sound policy logic).
Calgary Herald
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Alberta's place in Canada: Moving beyond frustration through strategic collaboration
Each federal election seems to bring a familiar wave of frustration in Alberta. The cycle of discontent is understandable as we often feel ignored and unheard within the larger Canadian federation. Once again, this is leading to calls for separation, which may be emotionally resonant for some, but ultimately impractical. As a landlocked province, severing ties with Canada would only isolate us further and exacerbate the challenge of accessing international markets for our resources. Article content Article content Article content Whether pursuing separation or the ongoing grieving and complaining, paths of resentment and isolation will only perpetuate Alberta's marginalization. A different approach is needed, one that prioritizes strategic engagement and collaboration. Alberta must move beyond unproductive frustration and adopt a strategic, collaborative approach. Article content Article content In terms of federal elections, Quebec offers a compelling case study in how a province can wield significant influence within Canada. In contrast to Alberta's narrow, one-party voting pattern, Quebec strategically aligns its votes to maximize its leverage. Throughout Canadian history, Quebec has demonstrated a remarkable ability to support different parties depending on which best serves its interests at that time. For example, Brian Mulroney's Conservative victories in the 1980s were heavily reliant on strong support from Quebec. Similarly, several Liberal governments were boosted by huge shifts in Quebec votes. In recent elections, Quebec has strategically supported minority governments, empowering both the Bloc Québécois and the NDP to ensure its concerns are addressed. In short, Quebec understands that its vote is a valuable bargaining chip, and Quebecers use it effectively to extract concessions and attention to their needs. In contrast, Alberta sticks to one party, muscles that party to serve its ideal, and then expects the rest of the country to fall in line. We feel Canadians should change to suit us, which is much harder to do (even with sound policy logic). Article content Article content At the provincial government level, Alberta can learn from Quebec's playbook by shifting its focus from resentment to proactive problem-solving. The current approach of blaming the federal government for all of Alberta's woes is not only unproductive but also tone-deaf to the rest of the nation since we have among the highest standards of living. Alberta should instead embrace a mindset of collaboration and shared goals. Article content As a business professor, I generally analyze situations through the lens of business leadership. Successful business leaders build strong relationships in pursuit of win-win solutions. Let's be honest, if Alberta were a corporation and the CEO was charged with reaching new markets, their inability to succeed would be the CEO's failure, and the CEO would be fired. In politics, leaders instead rile up their citizens to find someone else to blame for their shortcomings. Article content Here is the thing, Alberta seeks expanded market access, and they need Canadians to support that — figure out what Canadians need from us and make it happen. If we separate, we will need to negotiate with a foreign country. Surely negotiating with your fellow citizens is a better option. By offering concrete solutions, such as investments in environmental sustainability and innovation, Alberta can build trust and forge alliances that will ultimately benefit the province and the country. We must be constructive contributors and fully behind Canada if we want our nation to be behind us.
Calgary Herald
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
How many Canadians voted in the federal election? What we know about the turnout
Article content Voter participation in the largely Trump-driven federal election was among the largest since the free-trade election of 1988, when Canada's ties with the U.S. last took centre stage in a campaign. Article content As of 12:16 p.m. ET Tuesday, Elections Canada reported that 19,217,335 registered electors — 67.35 per cent — had cast a ballot, whether in-person on Monday or during the four-day advance polling period on Easter weekend when a record-breaking 7.3 million-plus voted. Article content Article content However, the final figure doesn't yet include those who registered on election day or the results of roughly 560 polls left to tally after Elections Canada paused counting of special ballots early Tuesday morning. Article content Article content Special ballots are cast by mail or in person at any election office if the person cannot or does not want to vote in advance or on election day. Tabulating resumed at 9:30 a.m., and the agency's results page is being regularly updated. Article content This year's sum has already surpassed the 62.6 per cent in 2021. Article content Per Elections Canada, the last time more than 70 per cent of eligible voters took part in an election was in 1988, when 75.3 per cent exercised their right as incumbent prime minister Brian Mulroney and the Progressive Conservatives collected a second straight majority government. Article content Article content The largest ever turnout was 79.4 per cent in 1958, the year Tory John Diefenbaker routed the Liberals and Lester B. Pearson. The lowest, 58.8 per cent, was in 2008 as Stephen Harper's Conservatives collected a slightly stronger minority. Article content Article content Provincially, Prince Edward Island had the most eligible voters at 75.9 per cent as of Tuesday morning, and Newfoundland and Labrador had the smallest turnout at 65.5 per cent. Average turnout in the rest of Canada was roughly 68 per cent. Article content
