Latest news with #PolicyHorizonsCanada
Winnipeg Free Press
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Atlantic Canada voters appear poised to widely support federal Liberals
HALIFAX – Voters in Canada's four Atlantic provinces are expected to deliver a stay-the-course message to the country's governing Liberals today as voting gets underway on the East Coast. The party has dominated the region since 2015 when it won all 32 seats, but its grip on power slipped over the years under Justin Trudeau's leadership. When Liberal Leader Mark Carney called the election last month, his party held 23 seats, the Conservatives had eight, and one seat — a Halifax riding previously held by a Liberal — was vacant. The latest polls were suggesting strong support for Liberals across the Atlantic region, but the Conservatives — led by Pierre Poilievre — were expected to hold on to some of their seats, while the New Democrats under Jagmeet Singh could be shut out again. Pundits say Poilievre's aggressive, populist style of leadership has been a tough sell in Atlantic Canada, where traditional Progressive Conservatives — including Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston — have largely shunned the federal Tory leader, who visited Nova Scotia only once during the campaign. Meanwhile, Carney's focus on dealing with the economic chaos unleashed by U.S. President Donald Trump has paid dividends for the Liberals, whose approval ratings were higher in Atlantic Canada than in any other region. During the last week of the campaign, Carney travelled to Upper Onslow, N.S., where he told supporters that Trump is 'trying to break us as a nation because they want to own us.' He compared the ongoing trade war to a tough hockey game, saying: 'When someone else drops the gloves, we know what to do.' By contrast, Poilievre painted a bleak picture of Canada's future when he stopped in Halifax for a campaign event last week, He cited a Policy Horizons Canada study that suggests that by 2040, Canadians might lose faith in traditional notions of 'moving up' the social and economic ladder. He also said many Canadians already feel desperate, as they are unable to afford a home or buy a car after almost a decade of Liberal rule. During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. The Tory leader's approach was a reminder of how he had spent much of the past two years atop the polls by relentlessly slamming Trudeau's Liberals and insisting that 'Canada is broken.' In St. John's, N.L., a steady stream of voters lined up Monday morning at a polling station straddling the downtown neighbourhoods of Georgestown and Rabbittown. Neighbours chatted and laughed as they waited to cast their ballots beneath a wall of bright paintings at The Hub, a centre for people with disabilities. Polls in Canada's easternmost province were the first to open Monday morning, and when they shut down at 8:30 p.m. local time, they'll be the first to close. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 28, 2025. — With files from Sara Smellie in St. John's, N.L.
Epoch Times
28-04-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Cory Morgan: Government Think Tank Predicting Economic Doom Should Be a Wake-Up Call for Parties
Commentary Policy Horizons Canada is a Privy Council think tank studying socioeconomic trends that offers reports and predictions to the highest level of government. The organization's most recent They see wealth inequality in a reduced economy leading to possible mass social disorder and spreading mental health challenges as people sink into despair. In the report's words: 'In 2040, upward social mobility is almost unheard of in Canada. Hardly anyone believes that they can build a better life for themselves, or their children, through their own efforts.' The prognostications are dire, and it's tempting to dismiss them as exaggerations from pessimistic researchers rather than accept the possibility of such a bleak future. In reading the report, it's evident that the prophecies are based on visible socioeconomic trends. The wealth gap is quickly widening while frustrated young Canadians are abandoning hope of home ownership or prosperity in their future. The top two parties in contention for the leadership of Canada aren't proposing the kind of radical policy changes required to head off the grim conjectures of Policy Horizons. To turn Canada from its trajectory, the government must shrink and deregulate to draw both human capital and foreign investment into the nation. The government must take on trade unions, crony capitalists, and environmental activists to facilitate broad economic development. Related Stories 4/22/2025 4/13/2025 Those sorts of policy proposals, however, send chills down the spines of political strategists who want anything but conflict with the aforementioned groups during an election campaign. So we are left hoping that whoever forms the next government has a hidden agenda of reform, which will be quickly implemented upon assuming power. Housing is a most basic need. Especially in a climate as harsh as Canada. Despite years of promises and countless government-sponsored programs, home ownership remains out of reach for a growing number of Canadians, while low housing supplies lead to rising rent. The report predicts existing homeowners could become future aristocrats as they expand property holdings to hand down to their children, while an underclass locked in the world of renting can't get ahead. Canada could devolve into a class-based society with 'social siloing,' separating citizens based on their economic standing. Social division and a shrinking economy with wealth concentrated in the hands of a smaller number of people could start a chain reaction as skilled and ambitious people emigrate to jurisdictions offering better opportunities for upward social mobility. If younger people flee, the social systems caring for the older population will become further strained. The demographic balance of the nation could tilt, leaving older Canadians cash-rich but resource-poor due to overburdened health and senior care resources. Those remaining in the country could find themselves seeking alternative ways to meet their needs. People could form housing, health, and food production cooperatives to make ends meet. While that may be effective, it also would lead to a form of tribalism and social introversion for large groups of people. These groups would be distanced from government influence and likely would harbour strong distrust of state institutions. They could become hubs of dangerous discontent. People may take out their ire upon scapegoats such as immigrants or other identifiable groups if they aren't blaming the government itself. The potential for social conflicts will grow and could blossom into general violence. While the world envisioned within the report may hold appeal for hardcore ideological libertarians, it would be a rough and miserable place in reality. Almost all the frightening scenarios packed within the report are already happening. It's just a matter of degree. If current trends continue, the predictions could become reality in short order. If the report had been generated by an obscure or private advocacy group, its conclusions could be questioned or possibly dismissed. Ironically, this is one of the few times we can hope the parties vying to run in the election are being disingenuous as they offer grander versions of the current government path. Perhaps they understand the gravity of the situation and the report, but don't feel they can effectively campaign on the solutions. Just this once, let's hope they are blowing smoke while they maintain a hidden agenda of reform. Because if they stay on the current trajectory, our future looks dark indeed. Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
National Post
27-04-2025
- Politics
- National Post
On Western alienation, Preston Manning is not backing down
Mark Carney, Canada's prime minister, is banking on people's fears about the desperate nature of our present situation. And he's promising to save Canadians from the apocalypse heading our way, triggered, not by climate change, but by Donald Trump's up-ending of world order. Article content Article content A 2025 report released by the federal government's in-house think tank — Policy Horizons Canada — reinforces Carney's dystopian warnings, with dire predictions of disillusioned youth living in a country with rising inequality, inaccessible housing and a broken promise of meritocracy. Article content 'The cheapest, quickest way to get public support for a public policy today is to scare the hell out of people,' says Preston Manning. That's what these consultants to political parties will tell you, says the former leader of the Reform Party and a former leader of the Opposition. Article content Article content This use of fear as a motivator, Preston asserts, has been the 'Liberals' modus operandi now for over 10 years.' Article content 'There was fear in the pandemic,' he says, that motivated people to obey health guidance. 'Fear of climate catastrophe is the fundamental motivator behind a lot of green initiatives,' he continues, 'and now this fear of Trump.' Article content Consider Carney's concluding remarks during the leaders' debate, Preston says, with a shake of his head. 'When asked to give a one-minute statement, he actually said Trump wants to take over your country, which is complete nonsense and not possible.' (Preston has a full legal explanation, for those who are interested.) Article content Article content With less than one week to the federal election, I reach out to Preston at his Calgary home for a virtual tete-a-tete on the state of the nation. Sitting up tall with arms crossed, casually dressed in a green and blue plaid shirt, the April sunlight streaming through tall windows behind him, this is not a man beleaguered by his critics. Article content Article content In early April, Preston unleashed the hounds with an op-ed warning Canadians that the election of another four years of a Liberal government could precipitate a national unity problem in Canada. B.C. Premier David Eby discounts the risk, calling it a 'tired trope.' And journalist Andrew Coyne discredits the idea there is a real problem with secession, accusing Preston of threatening Canadians with a rubber knife held to their throats. Article content But Preston — the man who once told us 'the West wants in' — isn't backing down. If the Liberals are re-elected, he reiterates, the West may be motivated to find a way out of Confederation. What he's recommending is a legitimate forum for disgruntled westerners to be able to express their anger.
Calgary Herald
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
On Western alienation, Preston Manning is not backing down
Article content Mark Carney, Canada's prime minister, is banking on people's fears about the desperate nature of our present situation. And he's promising to save Canadians from the apocalypse heading our way, triggered, not by climate change, but by Donald Trump's up-ending of world order. Article content A 2025 report released by the federal government's in-house think tank — Policy Horizons Canada — reinforces Carney's dystopian warnings, with dire predictions of disillusioned youth living in a country with rising inequality, inaccessible housing and a broken promise of meritocracy. Article content Article content 'The cheapest, quickest way to get public support for a public policy today is to scare the hell out of people,' says Preston Manning. That's what these consultants to political parties will tell you, says the former leader of the Reform Party and a former leader of the Opposition. Article content Article content This use of fear as a motivator, Preston asserts, has been the 'Liberals' modus operandi now for over 10 years.' Article content 'There was fear in the pandemic,' he says, that motivated people to obey health guidance. 'Fear of climate catastrophe is the fundamental motivator behind a lot of green initiatives,' he continues, 'and now this fear of Trump.' Article content Consider Carney's concluding remarks during the leaders' debate, Preston says, with a shake of his head. 'When asked to give a one-minute statement, he actually said Trump wants to take over your country, which is complete nonsense and not possible.' (Preston has a full legal explanation, for those who are interested.) Article content Article content With less than one week to the federal election, I reach out to Preston at his Calgary home for a virtual tete-a-tete on the state of the nation. Sitting up tall with arms crossed, casually dressed in a green and blue plaid shirt, the April sunlight streaming through tall windows behind him, this is not a man beleaguered by his critics. Article content Article content In early April, Preston unleashed the hounds with an op-ed warning Canadians that the election of another four years of a Liberal government could precipitate a national unity problem in Canada. B.C. Premier David Eby discounts the risk, calling it a 'tired trope.' And journalist Andrew Coyne discredits the idea there is a real problem with secession, accusing Preston of threatening Canadians with a rubber knife held to their throats.
Ottawa Citizen
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
On Western alienation, Preston Manning is not backing down
Article content Mark Carney, Canada's prime minister, is banking on people's fears about the desperate nature of our present situation. And he's promising to save Canadians from the apocalypse heading our way, triggered, not by climate change, but by Donald Trump's up-ending of world order. Article content Article content A 2025 report released by the federal government's in-house think tank — Policy Horizons Canada — reinforces Carney's dystopian warnings, with dire predictions of disillusioned youth living in a country with rising inequality, inaccessible housing and a broken promise of meritocracy. Article content Article content 'The cheapest, quickest way to get public support for a public policy today is to scare the hell out of people,' says Preston Manning. That's what these consultants to political parties will tell you, says the former leader of the Reform Party and a former leader of the Opposition. Article content Article content This use of fear as a motivator, Preston asserts, has been the 'Liberals' modus operandi now for over 10 years.' Article content 'There was fear in the pandemic,' he says, that motivated people to obey health guidance. 'Fear of climate catastrophe is the fundamental motivator behind a lot of green initiatives,' he continues, 'and now this fear of Trump.' Article content Consider Carney's concluding remarks during the leaders' debate, Preston says, with a shake of his head. 'When asked to give a one-minute statement, he actually said Trump wants to take over your country, which is complete nonsense and not possible.' (Preston has a full legal explanation, for those who are interested.) Article content Article content With less than one week to the federal election, I reach out to Preston at his Calgary home for a virtual tete-a-tete on the state of the nation. Sitting up tall with arms crossed, casually dressed in a green and blue plaid shirt, the April sunlight streaming through tall windows behind him, this is not a man beleaguered by his critics. Article content Article content In early April, Preston unleashed the hounds with an op-ed warning Canadians that the election of another four years of a Liberal government could precipitate a national unity problem in Canada. B.C. Premier David Eby discounts the risk, calling it a 'tired trope.' And journalist Andrew Coyne discredits the idea there is a real problem with secession, accusing Preston of threatening Canadians with a rubber knife held to their throats.
