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National Post
22-07-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Chris Selley: Seven years for mischief, one day for terrorism — someone make it make sense
On Monday, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and deputy leader Melissa Lantsman publicly deplored the seven-year sentence that might be facing Tamara Lich and Chris Barber on Wednesday. They were key organizers and spokespeople for the 2022 Freedom Convoy that eventually parked itself in downtown Ottawa and didn't leave for three weeks. Article content They won't necessarily get that sentence. That's the Crown's strikingly harsh request. But the Conservatives probably had to say something, to placate the base — even if they regret how strongly they supported the convoy at first, which I suspect they do. Article content Article content I'm not sure they had to go quite as scorched earth as they did, however. Article content Article content 'While rampant violent offenders are released hours after their most recent charges and antisemitic rioters vandalize businesses, terrorize daycares and block traffic without consequences, the Crown wants seven years prison time for the charge of mischief for Lich and Barber,' Poilievre said in an online statement. Article content Lantsman took it a step further, alleging the requested sentence amounted to an act of 'political vengeance.' Such allegations — that the Crown is essentially following orders from Ottawa — are always going to get up Laurentian noses and generate negative press. Negative press isn't a bad thing for Poilievre among his base, but they certainly took a risk here. The occupation was unpopular among Conservatives and Liberals alike. Article content Poilievre has a point, however, and the conclusion Lantsman draws is one of few coherent explanations on offer. Article content In isolation, seven years for what Lich and Barber did would probably strike most Canadians as excessive. (Among all the criticisms of Poilievre's and Lantsman's statements that I have read, I have not seen anyone actually defend the Crown's sentencing request.) Article content Article content Article content Funnily enough, just last week, another notable convicted criminal recently got a sentence of seven years. His name is Jamal Joshua Malik Wheeler, whose criminal record in July 2023 included three attacks on total strangers on Edmonton's public transit system. He mugged one transit rider using an axe, which got him a 14-month sentence. He punched another, sending him onto the LRT tracks. He sprayed three others with bear spray. Article content He was out on bail, conditions of which included staying away from public-transit property, when he fatally stabbed 52-year-old father of six Rukinisha Nkundabatware, a total stranger. Originally charged with second-degree murder, Wheeler was allowed to plead guilty to manslaughter. And yes, his sentence was seven years — the ridiculously low end of the Crown's ask. Article content And then on Monday, the Crown, defence and judge in a Quebec courtroom coughed up an absolute hall-of-fame sentence. In October 2014, Oumaima Chouay admits, she decamped for Turkey and then Syria, and signed up with the nice folks at ISIL. She married a fellow traveller, had two kids, and in 2017 was captured and imprisoned by Syrian Democratic Forces. Canada brought her home in 2022.
Globe and Mail
04-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Suddenly, MPs are behaving like grown-ups
Bill C-5 is one of the most controversial laws Parliament has adopted in a decade. Its passage in the House of Commons was also notable for bringing about one of the most welcome moments seen in Parliament over the same period. But we'll get to that. Bill C-5, or at least Part 2 of it – the Building Canada Act – gives the government the unilateral power to override or suspend federal laws that would otherwise delay the rapid implementation of infrastructure and energy projects deemed by cabinet to be in the national interest. (Part 1 of Bill C-5 is an entirely non-controversial act to reduce federal interprovincial trade barriers.) It follows through on Prime Minister Mark Carney's election promise to counter the U.S. trade war on Canada by (sort of) releasing the economy from its regulatory chains. As we've already said, letting cabinet decide which projects are in the national interest is problematic. Canada's economy needs Ottawa to get out of its way, not perch itself on its shoulder and pick winners and losers, and then set aside regulations for the lucky few. Better to get rid of the regulations altogether and let the market decide. That critique aside, lost in the drama of Bill C-5 was an important and hopeful moment only mentioned in passing in news reports. It came on June 20, when the House of Commons adopted the bill and Mr. Carney crossed the floor to shake hands with Conservative Parliamentary Leader Andrew Scheer and Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman. After 10 years of unrelenting partisanship, acrimony and division, here were leaders of the two parties that dominate Parliament cordially acknowledging the swift passage of legislation deemed urgent. (The bill went on to the Senate where it was adopted without amendment; it became law on June 26.) This is the Parliament that Canadians want to see, a place where MPs respect each other rather than erode the institution by turning into a content studio for creating snarky partisan social media posts and decontextualized attack ads. In Ontario's north and south, Indigenous groups protest new laws designed to fast-track infrastructure Opinion: Carney promised internal free trade by Canada Day. Is that enough? A Parliament where parties make the compromises needed to achieve consensus on important legislation, and which is not merely an arena where political games are won or lost. Bill C-5 was an example of Parliament's better angels at work, from the day it was tabled on June 6 to the day it was acknowledged with a handshake. Yes, the Carney Liberals tightly controlled debate on the legislation in order to rush its passage through the House before the summer break on June 20. But debate still did occur, and the Liberals accepted a number of key amendments that will make the government act more transparently. For instance, the government will have to inform the public how and why a project was deemed in the national interest, and explain the normal regulatory process that would have been followed had that not been the case. As well, the government agreed to remove the Indian Act from the schedule of federal laws that it can override. These and other improvements to the law demonstrate that, when MPs and their party bosses set aside rank partisanship, they can get things done. This new willingness to play nice resurfaced last week, when Mr. Carney called a by-election in the Alberta riding of Battle River-Crowfoot in order to allow Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Party leader who lost his seat in the April 28 general election, to run for office and get back into the House. Mr. Carney called the by-election quickly, instead of playing games and leaving the Conservatives dangling. We admit that there are caveats to the example of Bill C-5. Its goal aligned with the political agendas of both the Liberals and the Conservatives, making cooperation mutually beneficial. And a single handshake doesn't herald a lasting new era of adult cooperation in the House of Commons. But it has been so bad for so long in Ottawa that any hopeful signs of maturity are enticing. Canadians want and need to see more cooperation and mutual respect between parties, and a laying down of rhetorical arms, in the name of the country's interests. Forceful debate and partisanship are always welcome in a parliamentary democracy, but a bitter fracturing along political lines that makes enemies of opposing parties and erases civility is not. Just look south for proof of that.
National Observer
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- National Observer
The Conservative war on EVs is bound to fail
You might think the 2025 federal election would have taught the Conservative Party of Canada a few lessons. Chief among them would be the need to break with Trumpism and avoid investing their political capital in an issue — like the carbon tax — that can be eliminated with the stroke of the prime minister's pen. Instead, Pierre Poilievre's party seems destined — and determined — to learn these lessons again. Its renewed attack on the federal government's electric vehicle mandate is a case in point here. In an email sent to supporters last month, CPC co-deputy leader Melissa Lantsman said that 'the radical Liberals are planning to make your gas-powered vehicles ILLEGAL. They will FORCE you to buy an expensive electric vehicle.' This is obvious nonsense, since existing gas-powered vehicles sold up to 2035 would be allowed to operate for as long as a mechanic could keep them on the road. And while it's true that the up-front cost of electric vehicles is still higher than gasoline-fueled ones, that won't be the case for long. The ongoing developments in battery technology mean that so-called 'up-front price parity' — that is, an equivalent cost, without subsidies, for electric and gasoline versions of the same vehicle type — is a question of when, not if. That may arrive far sooner than Canada's Conservatives want to believe. Chinese automaker BYD and its ultra-low-cost EVs absolutely dominate the ever-expanding Chinese market, and it's rapidly winning hearts and market share in places like Europe and South America. Its new generation of solid-state batteries could lead to both a major increase in range and a major decrease in price. It's not alone in developing these new batteries, either: Nissan Canada has said that solid-state batteries can be produced 'at a lower cost than conventional lithium-ion batteries,' while Toyota and Volkswagen are also betting heavily on them. In time, then, and not that much of it, electric vehicles could enjoy an up-front cost advantage over gasoline-powered vehicles. That's without factoring in the far lower costs of operating an EV, which can amount to thousands of dollars per vehicle per year, according to the Canadian Automobile Association. If Canada follows through with its electric vehicle mandate, it's expected to save Canadians approximately $36.7 billion in costs by 2050. So why are Canada's Conservatives picking this particular hill to fight on? In part, it's because it allows them to play their greatest hits and try to recapture some of the political energy they generated with their campaign against the consumer carbon tax. Andrew Scheer, for example, got to break out his ample supply of political tinfoil in claiming that the EV mandate — one designed and implemented by the previous prime minister — is really a sop to Brookfield, the company Carney chaired before entering politics. 'Brookfield is heavily invested in the EV supply chain. If this prime minister refuses to reveal his financial interests or self-admitted conflicts — isn't it true that this isn't about the environment, this is about the bottom line for Brookfield?' More importantly, they're also doing this because Canada's Conservative movement remains incapable of tacking against the political winds of Trumpism. As Trump has turned ever-more aggressively against electric vehicles, and particularly the ones sold by his former best friend Elon Musk, so too have leading Canadian Conservatives like party leader Pierre Poilievre and Melissa Lantsman. It seems almost inevitable now that electric vehicles will become part of the ongoing culture war there, and that any rational attempt to help the automotive industry adapt to the changing global landscape will be subsumed into Trump's fight with Musk. It seems almost inevitable now that electric vehicles will become part of the Conservative Party of Canada's ongoing culture war, writes Max Fawcett. It's reasonable, and maybe even rational, to re-assess some of the near-term targets in Canada's EV regulation, given the threats posed by Trump to the very existence of Canada's auto sector. But the longer-term objectives here should remain in place, and the Carney government should be willing to fight hard for them. The transition away from fossil fuels and gasoline-powered vehicles is a question of when, not if. As the New York Times reported recently, 'auto executives are nearly unanimous that, even in the United States, electric and hybrid vehicles will eventually displace gasoline-powered vehicles.' Just ask Musk, who shared a post about Norway's June car sales figures — 97 per cent of which involved EVs — and added his own commentary. 'Combustion engine cars will be like the steam engine — quaint, but primitive.' On this, at least, he's correct. Not even Donald Trump can stop the global transition to electrification, and Canada needs to remain focused on the longer-term trajectory here, both for its domestic auto sector and the consumers who buy their products. The Conservative attack here is the very definition of a rearguard battle, one that confirms its enduring loyalty to the oil and gas industry and its economic interests. It's also another reminder that the leadership team that blundered away a 20-point lead heading into the last election might not be fit to win the next one.
Globe and Mail
20-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
House of Commons passes Liberals' major projects bill
Liberal and Conservative members of Parliament voted to pass the government's major projects legislation this evening. After the second of two votes, Prime Minister Mark Carney crossed the floor to shake hands with Opposition House leader Andrew Scheer and Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman. Two votes were held instead of one after the House Speaker ruled that the legislation had two distinct parts without a clear common element. That allowed the Bloc Québécois and NDP members to vote in favour of the first part of the bill — which looks to tackle internal trade barriers — and against the more controversial second part dealing with major projects. The major projects bill grants the government sweeping powers to quickly approve projects that are deemed to be in the national interest. The bill is now headed to the Senate, which is scheduled to sit until June 27.
Toronto Sun
16-06-2025
- Business
- Toronto Sun
Economic prosperity must include resource extraction: Tories
Canada's allies have frequently asked — and are frequently denied — greater access to Canadian energy Deputy Conservative Leader Melissa Lantsman is pictured in the House of Commons on Dec. 3, 2021. (The Canadian Press) OTTAWA — As world leaders convene in Canada's oil country for the G7, the Conservatives are urging the government to include western Canadian energy in their plans to boost our country's economy. 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 Speaking during question period on Monday, Deputy Opposition Leader Melissa Lantsman decried Liberal policies meant to keep Alberta's oil in the ground. 'We've got laws blocking extraction, a cap that halts production, a shipping ban that stops it from leaving and an industrial carbon tax that makes it all more expensive to build,' she said in the House of Commons. 'Will the Liberals repeal out anti-energy laws and approve projects so that we can get jobs for our people and our resources to market?' In a one-sentence response, Energy Minister Tim Hodgson ducked the question by promising to quickly pass Bill C-5, which the government says will fast-track major infrastructure projects. Recommended video Canada's allies have frequently asked — and are frequently denied — greater access to Canadian energy as means of replacing Russian oil and natural gas. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. And with the United States becoming an increasingly unreliable partner, many observers are urging Canada to look to other markets to sell our energy. As well, Canada's production, transportation and export infrastructure is woefully undersized. 'As the G7 begins, the world may find out what Canadians have known for years: That the Liberal laws still in place make it nearly impossible to get anything built,' Lantsman said. 'Everyone knows the laws are broken and we need to exempt projects …, so why not just repeal the laws, period?' bpassifiume@ X: @bryanpassifiume Read More Toronto Maple Leafs Columnists Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto & GTA Canada
