Latest news with #DavidOlive
National Post
28-06-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Mark Milke: Why the West's separatists could be just a big a threat as Quebec's
In light of the poor showing by separatist candidates in recent Alberta byelections, pundits and politicians will be tempted to again dismiss threats of western separatism as over-hyped, and too tiny to be taken seriously, just as they did before and after the April 28 federal election. Article content Much of the initial skepticism came after former Leader of the Opposition Preston Manning authored a column arguing that some in central Canada never see western populism coming. He cited separatist sympathies as the newest example. Article content Article content In response, (non-central Canadian!) Jamie Sarkonak argued that, based upon Alberta's landlocked reality and poll numbers (37 per cent Alberta support for the 'idea' of separation with 25 per cent when asked if a referendum were held 'today'), western separation was a 'fantasy' that 'shouldn't be taken seriously.' The Globe and Mail's Andrew Coyne, noting similar polling, opined that 'Mr. Manning does not offer much evidence for his thesis that 'support for Western secession is growing.'' Article content Article content Prime Minister Mark Carney labelled Manning's column ' dramatic.' Toronto Star columnist David Olive was condescending. Alberta is 'giving me a headache,' he wrote. He argued the federal government's financing of 'a $34.2-billion expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline (TMX)' as a reason Albertans should be grateful. If not, wrote Olive, perhaps it was time for Albertans to 'wave goodbye' to Canada. Article content As a non-separatist, born-and-bred British Columbian, who has also spent a considerable part of his life in Alberta, I can offer this advice: Downplaying western frustrations — and the poll numbers — is a mistake. Article content Article content One reason is because support for western separation in at least two provinces, Alberta and Saskatchewan, is nearing where separatist sentiment was in Quebec in the 1970s. Article content Article content In our new study comparing recent poll numbers from four firms (Angus Reid Institute, Innovative Research Group, Leger, and Mainstreet Research), the range of support in recent months for separation from Canada in some fashion is as follows, from low to high: Manitoba (6 per cent to 12 per cent); B.C. (nine per cent to 20 per cent); Saskatchewan (20 per cent to 33 per cent) and Alberta (18 per cent to 36.5 per cent). Quebec support for separation was in a narrow band between 27 per cent and 30 per cent. Article content What such polling shows is that, at least at the high end, support for separating from Canada is now higher in Saskatchewan and Alberta than in Quebec. Article content Another, even more revealing comparison is how western separatist sentiment now is nearing actual Quebec votes for separatism or separatist parties back five decades ago. The separatist Parti Québécois won the 1976 Quebec election with just over 41 per cent of the vote. In the 1980 Quebec referendum on separation, 'only' 40 per cent voted for sovereignty association with Canada (a form of separation, loosely defined). Those percentages were eclipsed by 1995, when separation/sovereignty association side came much closer to winning with 49.4 per cent of the vote.
Toronto Star
08-06-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
Rise of the middle powers. Here's how Canada can wean itself off of U.S. dependence
As leaders of the G7 countries prepare to meet in Kananaskis next week, middle power nations, such as Canada, need to step up and take on leadership roles in restructuring the global economy, shoring up democratic practices internationally and investing in talent to boost productivity and innovation at home. Statistics Canada recently reported that Canada's trade with America had decreased six per cent, largely attributed to tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Opinion articles are based on the author's interpretations and judgments of facts, data and events. More details
Toronto Star
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
What happened behind bars at Maplehurst jail + A U.S. federal court rules against Trump's tariffs
Good morning. This is the Thursday, May 29 edition of First Up, the Star's daily morning digest. Sign up to get it earlier each day, in your inbox. Ready to head to the polls again? If you live in Scarborough-Rouge Park you'll get a chance to cast your ballot in September. Here's what we know about the byelection for the city council seat. And here's the latest on a U.S. court blocking Trump's tariffs, the internal investigation into collective punishment at Maplehurst jail, and why Niagara-on-the-Lake is watering down its wine pride. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW DON'T MISS A U.S. federal court ruled against Trump's tariffs Here's what happens now that the court has blocked Trump's tariffs against Canada. 'How long is this going to last?' Small business owners grapple with raising prices amid Trump tariffs Planning a wedding is stressful. Couples and vendors now have to factor in tariffs David Olive: Canada Goose shares take flight, but can it weather Trump tariffs and shake a winter chill? Eleven Maplehurst staff members were found to be misleading ministry investigators The ministry was investigating a collective punishment against nearly 200 inmates. Here's what they found. 'Welcome to Wong-tanamo Bay': Maplehurst jail officials conspired to 'cover up' mass strip-search of inmates, court document alleges Watch: Disturbing video shows jail guards carrying out violent, hours-long retribution at Maplehurst Judge slams jail guards' 'disgusting and gross' treatment of prisoners at Maplehurst Correctional Complex in Milton Niagara-on-the-Lake dropped 'wine country' from its tourism strategy Here's why the decision to drop the well-known tag line has some seeing red. Travel to and from Canada takes a nosedive: StatCan U.S. set to lose $12.5 billion in international visitor spending as global tension escalates WHAT ELSE A Canada Post employee returns to a delivery depot in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. DARRYL DYCK/THE CANADIAN PRESS Canada Post presented its final offer to its union. Here's what it includes. Here's how Toronto plans to make visits to the islands more comfortable this summer. Linda McQuaig: Mark Carney's stand on Gaza could actually make a difference. Canadian doctors called for an arms embargo on Israel. Here's what they saw in Gaza. Congregants with unsuccessful charges against megachurch pastor Bruxy Cavey are suing him and the churches they say allowed his abuse. Manitoba's premier declared a state of emergency over wildfires. Here's which regions are affected. Here's what the stars of 'And Just Like That' think about the burning questions this season. Here's how the masc-leaning lawyer of 'Sex and the City' became this Toronto Zillennial's style icon. Canadian shows lead the 2025 Dora nominations. Take a look at 'Mahabharata' and 'Life After.' A burger with a syringe of cheese? Richie Assaly tried it so you don't have to. These nine numbers tell you everything you need to know about the Blue Jays' season. Nick Kypreos: It's time for the Maple Leafs to change how they're built. Here's how. POV Charles was supposed to be a stirring symbol. But no man should be a king. CLOSE UP A robot guide walks with the robot during the pilot program. Skip the Dishes has teamed with a robotics startup, Real Life Robotics, to pilot a new delivery robot, which is now making food deliveries in Markham. Steve Russell Toronto Star MARKHAM: Skip the … human? That's exactly what food delivery service Skip is testing out in a three-month pilot where a small fleet of cooler-sized, orange robots will make deliveries. Here's how it works. Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at firstup@ Reanna Julien will see you back here tomorrow. Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox.
