Archive for January, 2012

Do we cherish history or heritage?

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 Posted in Politics | No Comments »

If I were in charge of the Canadian department of jingoism, I wouldn’t rattle my patriot swords over the War of 1812. But our prime minister considers himself an expert on ... Read more..

Beware our complacent confidence

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 Posted in Economy, Politics | No Comments »

We in the frozen north have basked in the warmth of our own self-regard ever since the American industrial behemoth fell to its knees at the end of the last ... Read more..

Oil sands debate ready for prime time

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 Posted in Economy, Environment | No Comments »

As Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver draws a line in the tar sands, daring well-financed “radical groups” opposed to Alberta oil development to cross, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May wags ... Read more..

Hard times for Canadian unions

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 Posted in Economy, Society | 2 Comments »

Dawn refuses to break in the long, dark night of the Canadian labour movement’s soul. And even those who cling to the notion that a fair wage for permanent work ... Read more..

When the “R” word becomes moot

Monday, January 9th, 2012 Posted in Economy | No Comments »

Most Canadians believe the recession never ended. Technically, economists and bank presidents argue, most Canadians are wrong and they’re not doing themselves any favours by clinging to the myth of ... Read more..

Looking for clarity from Foreign Affairs

Monday, January 9th, 2012 Posted in Politics | No Comments »

The man Stephen Harper set loose last summer on a monarchy-loving crusade through Ottawa’s public spaces to hang portraits of the Queen – to no discernible purpose other than to ... Read more..

Tax the fat cats into shape

Monday, January 9th, 2012 Posted in Economy | No Comments »

It comes as no great surprise that corporate CEOs are different from you and me. After all, they have more money and, in the words of a popular song lyric ... Read more..

Talking through their gold-plated choppers

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012 Posted in Business, Economy | No Comments »

A tradition no less honourable than resolving to do better and be better in the New Year is the annual running of the mouths found in all the finer salons ... Read more..

Water issue is a political Waterloo

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 Posted in Environment, Politics | No Comments »

To appreciate just how touchy people of every political stripe and ideological bent become when the target of their concerns is clean and accessible water, look no farther than the ... Read more..

Brother, can you spare a job?

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 Posted in Economy | No Comments »

As business leaders and politicians decry the widening gap between labour and skills in Canada – a phenomenon for which they, themselves, are at least partly to blame – new ... Read more..