Latest news with #CarneyCabinet
Globe and Mail
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Letters to the editor, May 24: ‘I have long hoped to purchase and drive an EV, but it's simply not possible based on my income'
Re 'Carney's cabinet: a familiar mix of quotas, duplication and pork-barrel politics' (Opinion, May 17): The continued preoccupations with regional interests, gender parity and the power of the Prime Minister's Office are certainly open to criticism. However, the labelling of some newer ministries as 'comic-book portfolios' suggests that governments should remain static and not address emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, Northern economic development and Canada-U.S trade relations. Perhaps critics would be happier with the cabinet of Sir John A. Macdonald, which included a minister of the interior, minister of militia and superintendent-general of Indian affairs. Robert Coutts Winnipeg As I recall, Justin Trudeau came into power without significant managerial experience and thus relied heavily on close staff members. Mark Carney comes with decades of experience in managing large staffs and delegating responsibility. I expect a different modus operandi. Wendy Thomas Montreal Re 'For Carney to succeed, he must convince Canada's elite that it's time for change' (Opinion, May 17): Mark Carney brings a great educational pedigree and political promise, but now that promise must meet performance. Talk of transformative politics and an ambitious hyping of a Laurentian policy revival seems uncomfortably close to the non-wonders of 'deliverology' as promised by the Trudeau government of our recent yesterdays. When judging the long-term performance of the Carney ministry, it would be best to adopt the judgment of the U.S. journalist Murray Kempton: 'It is a function of government to invent philosophies to explain the demands of its own convenience.' Toby Zanin Toronto Re 'Danielle Smith is against forest fires, but she'll leave this lighter right here' (Opinion, May 17): If anyone has been paying attention, the Alberta Premier has run a trial balloon showing that support for secession is more illusionary than real. In 2023, she proposed withdrawing Alberta from the Canada Pension Plan to create a similar but independent Alberta pension plan. While the idea isn't dead, it's clearly on life support. Human nature doesn't favour the unfamiliar, and separation is a momentous leap of faith. While the Premier is rebuked for fanning the flames, we should also recognize that when faced with the unknown, people know better than to play with fire. Paul Baumberg Bighorn, Alta. Re 'An unnecessary harvest of pain from Ottawa's EV tariffs' (Editorial, May 17): I was delighted to read the case for reducing tariffs against Chinese electric vehicles and linking it to Chinese auto production in Canada. I have long hoped to purchase and drive an EV, but it's simply not possible based on my income. Having an affordable option would be awesome. Having another auto production plant in Canada would delight parts suppliers and target a whole group of buyers currently being ignored by manufacturers. Stephen Elson London, Ont. Re 'When it comes to homelessness, my heart is in danger of bleeding dry' (Opinion, May 17): I appreciate that the contributor is candid in admitting to being a 'bleeding-heart liberal.' However, I believe a prolonged 'bleeding-heart' affliction, which so many aggregately subscribe to, is precisely why we are faced with the current calamity on our streets and in our public spaces. How long does it take to recognize that free socks, sandwiches and supports to those not wishing to comply with the basic laws of society are not a long-term solution? Section 7 of the Charter, which attests to the right to life, liberty and security of the person, has often been cited in defence of those violating the law and tenting in our public spaces. Yet the safety and security of local residents, the law-abiding public, is curiously forgotten by our courts. Is this all not a by-product of years of exempting this cohort from the normal societal expectations we have of one another? Gordon Zawaski Parksville, B.C. Re 'How the world became obsessed with naming – and blaming – the next generation" (May 20): In 2009, when the United Church of Canada commissioned me to begin a national study of young adult spirituality, my cut-off date for participants' birth years was 1980. That is convention now for 'millennials.' But I used a different term, one that some social scientists were using at the time: the echo generation. I took the approach of cultural anthropology, using participant observation and unscripted conversations rather than prepared questionnaires. I listened. One of the main reference points I heard was the perceived culture of their boomer parents. They told me how their world was not their parents' world and expressed how they themselves were different. The McGill University theologian Douglas John Hall once said to me that 'generational thinking is degenerate.' But our society is changing at a rapid pace, and that is accelerating. The concept of 'generations' is one lens that can help us understand our social world. Tom Sherwood Author, Listening to The Echo; Ottawa Re 'My summer at fat camp' (Opinion, May 17): I applaud author Moira Dann for her openness and bravery in writing about her struggles with weight and systemic fat-shaming. I grew up in the 1970s and remember the quest for the ultimate skinny and trendy diet cultures of the time. I attended a Weight Watchers meeting, wanting to lose only 10 pounds. When I failed, I was hastily told it was my fault, that I must have done something wrong. I was devastated, ashamed and angry. I quit right after that meeting and decided to find another way. As a registered dietitian for more than 35 years, I can say that weight struggles are never easy. But we have come a long way since those restrictive and painful fad diets and humiliating fat camps. What remains most important is the need to accept and respect all persons for their individuality, preferences and needs, regardless of body size and shape. Linda Cadloff Richman PDt, CDE; Montreal Re 'The one diet you won't crash out on: a steady dose of joy' (Opinion, May 17): Maybe I'm joy-averse, but this lengthy advocacy for 'The Joy Diet,' though well-intentioned, ironically might undermine the very joy it aims to nurture with overthinking. Spontaneous distractions are the source code of delight. Serendipity capturing our attention is the algorithm of joy. No prepping births delight. Poets like the blissful William Blake get it: 'He who binds to himself a joy / Does the winged life destroy / He who kisses the joy as it flies / Lives in eternity's sunrise.' Forcing joy with playlists or diet regimens stifles its essence. True joy runs on surprise, not scheduled maintenance. We can't make it happen. Enjoy. Tony D'Andrea Toronto
National Post
18-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
NP View: Week one, and Mark Carney's cabinet is even worse
Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet hasn't even been around a week, and it's produced what should be a month's worth of gaffes. It's an omen so bad that even many Carney backers are slumping in disappointment, taken by surprise at how swiftly their hopes were dashed. Article content Article content Carney's cabinet was named Tuesday, and with that, the apprehension began. Key problem ministers of the Trudeau age were left in: Steven Guilbeault, former environment minister, was moved to culture; Chrystia Freeland, finance minister of ill repute, was moved to transport and internal trade; Mélanie Joly, former inconsequential foreign affairs minister, went to industry. Sean Fraser, who handled both housing and immigration with catastrophic results, is now in charge of justice. Article content In case there was any doubt as to their incompetence, they were quick to demonstrate why any skeptics' misgivings were correctly placed. Guilbeault immediately took to dismissing the need for new pipelines, perpetuating the myth of peak oil and peddling the falsity that Canada's newest pipeline was running at under half capacity (in fact, it was running at 77 per cent capacity). Article content Article content Fraser, meanwhile, started off his tenure by telling media, heading into the new cabinet's first meeting, that he intends to work more from home. In December, he had announced he planned not to run again to spend more time with his 'amazing family,' and another candidate was lined up for his seat — only for him to un-resign three months later, after Carney's ascent. Article content 'Given the nature of the portfolio, a lot of the stakeholders we have are less interested in having you attend groundbreakings, the openings of new buildings that you may have funded, and are quite accustomed to having meetings virtually,' he told the scrum. 'So I anticipate during constituency weeks, I'm going to be based in my hometown a little more than I was before. Article content Article content 'There may be an opportunity, depending on what's going on in the House, to avail myself — not all the time, of course, but once in a while — of the virtual abilities to participate in the House of Commons proceedings, so we're going to figure some of this out as we go.' Article content Article content Crime is already worsening in Canada, and citizens increasingly feel unprotected by the system, which seems more interested in balancing racial scales and excusing any criminal that can spin a victimhood narrative. It's a bad sign that the attorney general — one of the most critical roles in the federal cabinet — is already planning how to not fully devote himself to the job. Article content Joly and Freeland, at least, have managed to keep their first week relatively blemish-free. Their longtime colleague, Anita Anand, newly arrived at the foreign affairs post, was quick to use her new platform to blame Israel and put up a defence for Hamas, however. Article content As for the new ministers, they've provided Canadians even more reason for concern — Housing Minister Gregor Robertson being chief among them. The fact that Robertson was even named housing minister was an immediate red flag, given his record of overseeing Vancouver's transformation as city mayor (a role he held from 2008 to 2018) from a family-friendly coastal city into Ground Zero of Canada's drug and housing crises. Under his watch, detached home prices in his city doubled and rents skyrocketed. He denied responsibility for this at the time, even though he addressed development fees and zoning at a glacial pace.
Globe and Mail
15-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Letters to the editor, May 15: ‘Did anyone think Mark Carney was going to fill his cabinet with Conservatives?'
Re 'An old Liberal front bench bolted to a new Carney mission' (May 14): It is incredible to me that a government that says it will represent all Canadians did not appoint a cabinet minister from Calgary, an economic powerhouse and one of the largest and fastest growing cities in Canada, when the opportunity was available. I can't even imagine what the reaction would be if Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver were left out of cabinet. Same ol', same ol'. C. Bryce Code Calgary Those who whinge about a lot of old faces in the new Carney cabinet seem to forget that those old faces were re-elected. Their constituents must have thought they were doing a reasonable job. Prime ministers have to build a cabinet from the MPs given to them by voters. The majority of Liberal MPs are from the previous government. Did anyone think Mark Carney was going to fill his cabinet with Conservatives? Tom MacDonald Ottawa The Carney cabinet includes some capable people. But will they function as a cabinet – or will they still answer to political staffers? Paul Edwards Calgary The federal election was framed to be about change. Earlier in the year, this meant Pierre Poilievre would likely replace Justin Trudeau. However, as it turned out, we got change of another kind: driven, experienced and mature leadership with Mark Carney. The cabinet announcement brought another degree of change in capable new ministers who will be held accountable for results in key portfolios. These changes, I believe, are exactly what the country needs in the current situation. One change we voted for, but doesn't look like we will get, is a new opposition leader. We still have to listen to the petty, negative and divisive attacks from Pierre Poilievre like we got in his blow-by-blow description of the cabinet. One would think the Conservatives would hear voters and do themselves a favour: Move on to someone who can truly lead the country, not just tear it apart. Dale McSween Cornwall, Ont. Re 'Trump says new order will lower U.S. drug prices and increase them everywhere else' (Report on Business, May 13): If Donald Trump wants to ensure that there continues to be enough money for medicine research and development, there is a simple answer: Cut down on the amount of money that Big Pharma spends on share buybacks and dividends. It has been reported that between 2012 and 2021, the 14 largest drug companies listed on the S&P 500 spent $747-billion on buybacks and dividends versus $660-billion on R&D. Joel Lexchin Toronto Re 'Ontario's Darlington SMR project to cost nearly $21-billion, significantly higher than expected' (Report on Business, May 9): This project can put Canada at the forefront of small modular reactors. These provide a resilient clean-energy solution to meet the projected significant increase in electrical demand. Further, with globalization, it is important that Canada focuses on areas where we can be world class as we reindustrialize. I trust Ontario Power Generation will largely ignore criticism of the cost increases and keep going fast. Growing expertise needs vision and takes time. Julian Kenney Mississauga Re 'Doug Ford is running roughshod over the environment and the law. Sound familiar?' (Opinion, May 10): I write with urgency for the withdrawal of Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025. I believe it sets very dangerous precedents. It does not offer protection; it removes protections. Developers could focus solely on profit when planning. Existing laws protecting the environment, current inhabitants and Indigenous rights could be bulldozed over. Abandoning these protections in one place could put them under threat everywhere. This bill would not unleash our economy; it would unleash a series of bad practices with long-term effects. It does not look at what changes would help small businesses or entrepreneurs prosper. Instead, it takes away hard-won protections for our citizens and environment to rush through development. It takes weak arguments used to justify selling land in Ontario's Greenbelt and puts them on steroids. What was wrong-headed then should still be wrong-headed now. Diane DiMonte-Mohan Toronto Re 'Opening the opaque window around pot rules' (Editorial, May 12): We commend The Globe and Mail for highlighting the inconsistencies in Canada's regulatory frameworks for cannabis, alcohol and gambling. However, we disagree with the premise that a coherent regulatory approach should focus on fairness across the commercial sphere of store operators. Instead, such an approach should centre on health risks, preventing youth exposure and reducing societal harms associated with substance use and gambling. It should restrict marketing practices that target vulnerable populations and ensure revenue generation does not overshadow health considerations. It is imperative to ensure that developing coherent regulation remains independent of industry influence. The policy process should be transparent, evidence-based and free from conflicts of interest. By centering public health in developing coherent regulation for cannabis, alcohol and gambling (as well as tobacco), Canada can set a precedent for responsible governance that prioritizes the health and safety of its citizens over commerce. Natalie Brender, Director of policy, Canadian Public Health Association; Ottawa Re 'Carney wants big government to get into housing – a major risk to taxpayers" (Report on Business, May 13): Of course it would cost us – if there was money to be made solving the housing crisis, the private sector would be on it. Craig Sims Kingston Re 'By letting public spaces and services fail, our cities are breaking a fundamental promise to the people who live there' (Opinion, May 10): I'm fortunate to live in North Vancouver, recently ranked as the most livable city in Canada ('Canada's Most Livable Cities' – Dec. 14, 2024). The city has clearly invested plenty of dollars to make density livable. Politicians and planners have obviously understood the concept that 'livable' means enjoyable. Today we have beautifully constructed and maintained public spaces that are accessible by a large network of public transit systems. Our trails and parks draw hundreds of walkers, runners and cyclists every day. New shops line some streets cheek to cheek, creating a lively market hubbub. The old Shipyards has been transformed into a huge family-friendly gathering place, with a myriad of possibilities to connect with neighbours and friends. It's easy to get caught up in the happy activity and chatter of the place. I come away feeling alive and immensely grateful to have all this at my disposal. North Vancouver has most definitely done the right thing. Marlies Newton North Vancouver Letters to the Editor should be exclusive to The Globe and Mail. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. Keep letters to 150 words or fewer. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To submit a letter by e-mail, click here: letters@
CTV News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Carney's cabinet includes 5 B.C. members
Carney's cabinet includes 5 B.C. members MPs from British Columbia are among the new faces in Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet.
CTV News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
How will Carney's new cabinet picks impact relations with Alberta?
How will Carney's new cabinet picks impact relations with Alberta? Political analyst Duane Bratt on why relations with Alberta are 'looking a bit rocky' after Premier Danielle Smith criticized the new Liberal cabinet.
