The Thousand Words: Michael Ignatieff addresses Liberals on December 10, 2008
By Alidor Aucoin on December 18, 2008
The Ignatieff ascendancy
By Beryl Wajsman on December 18, 2008
Many have speculated what a Michael Ignatieff Liberal Party will look like. With his ascendancy we will soon find out. After the turbulent events of the past few weeks this country needs what Harry Truman once called some “plain speaking”. Not just for the sake of Michael Ignatieff’s party but for the sake of conscience and for the sake of this country. Without fidelity to conscience, public men are of little use......
Deux râteliers valent mieux qu`un
By Pierre K. Malouf on December 18, 2008
La culture, dit le Petit Robert, c’est l’ « ensemble des aspects intellectuels propres à une civilisation, une nation ». Définissent et distinguent la culture d’un groupe ou d’une société, précise le Petit Larousse, ses usages, ses coutumes, ses manifestations artistiques, religieuses, intellectuelles. Au Québec, du moins dans le monde politique (ailleurs, je ne sais pas), ces définitions ne sont que partiellement vraies. Au Québec, on n’a que faire de la civilisation, seule compte la nation. Au Québec, point de culture en dehors des arts et des traditions.........
No moral high ground for Canada’s political parties
By Duff Conacher on December 18, 2008
All federal political parties should have been working toward a democratic compromise over the Conservative minority government's economic and political finance proposals, instead of continuing their poorly timed games....
A very Canadian coup
By Beryl Wajsman on December 18, 2008
Let us make no mistake about what happened in our land this month. The political posturing, particularly of the NDP and the Bloc, created a crisis far more acute and far-reaching than any economic challenges we may face...
The Charest legacy
By Beryl Wajsman on December 18, 2008
Jean Charest won an historic third consecutive election victory. And he won it with a majority. We will not be among those indulging in over analysis of the numbers...
Decision Quebec: winners and losers
By Dan Delmar on December 18, 2008
After an election where the story was not so much who voted for whom, but who did not vote at all, Premier Jean Charest may find himself taking on a familiar role; that of Captain Canada, ready to fight a resurgent sovereignist movement...
No charges to be laid against Mtl. North police
By P.A. Sévigny on December 18, 2008
Following a two-month investigation and the intensive SQ (Sureté du Québec) inquiry into the shooting death of 18 year-old Montreal North teenager Freddy Villanueva, Québec Justice Official Louis Drouin recently confirmed no charges would be laid against SPVM constables Jean-Loup Lapointe and his partner, Stéphanie Pilote...
Who staged Mumbai?
By Madhav Das Nalapat on December 18, 2008
First, a matter of terminology. Although the Mumbai terrorist attacks began late evening of November 26, 2008, the siege lasted three days, and hence it would be more accurate to take 11/27 (the midpoint) to indicate the attack. On December 1, www.upiasia.com carried an analysis by this writer on the attacks, pointing out that they were seemingly masterminded by regular elements within the Pakistan army. This was based on information from within the South Asian region that was credible and at levels senior enough to know the facts...
Problems for a “Team of Rivals”
By David T. Jones on December 18, 2008
Washington DC - Washington media has much bruited about the concept of a “team of rivals” for the Obama administration. The label derives from the Doris Kearns Goodwin book of the same name regarding Abraham Lincoln’s assembly of a Civil War cabinet incorporating his political rivals, who individually and corporately believed themselves far better qualified than he to lead the country under any circumstances, let alone during a civil war..
To Michael: A Love Letter
By Sharman Yarnell on December 18, 2008
Some years ago I was asked to audition for a stage play called Extremities. It was hot on Broadway with Susan Sarandon in the lead, and Elite Productions was mounting it here in Montreal...
La relance économique ne passe pas par l`État
By Jean-François Minardi on December 18, 2008
Le modèle québécois donne depuis un certain temps déjà des signes d’essoufflement. Ces problèmes sont aujourd’hui comme hier : un État trop interventionniste, une fiscalité trop lourde et une législation du travail qui fait obstacle à l’embauche de travailleurs jeunes et talentueux...
Piperberg's World
By Roy Piperberg on December 18, 2008
Caregivers or victims?
By Jessica Murphy on December 18, 2008
Pinay, The Filipino women’s organization in Quebec, have opposed aspects of Canada’s Live-In Caregivers Program for over a decade.
In November, the McGill school of social work released a report that supports what they’ve been saying for years: the women coming to Canada as domestic workers are often victims of exploitation...
Liberating charities in their fight against AIDS
By Tom Lamberti on December 18, 2008
December 1st marked World AIDS Day, a day created to honour those who have courageously fought against HIV/AIDS in Canada and throughout the world. To commemorate the occasion, McGill students, local Professors and community activists gathered in the Lev Bukhman room on the McGill University campus to discuss public policy options that would help those fighting HIV/AIDS...
The swollen envy of pygmy minds
By Beryl Wajsman on December 18, 2008
This past Monday, civil rights champion Brent Tyler told the Supreme Court of Canada that the Quebec government is violating the constitutional rights of immigrant parents by denying their children access to English-language public schools. Tyler added, and we concur wholeheartedly, that the policy could threaten the long-term viability of the English school system by eroding its student base. The issue this time is the constitutionality of Quebec’s Bill 104.,,
Un exil à la fois intérieur et extérieur
By Louise V. Labrecque on December 18, 2008
Un exilé, c’est quelqu’un qui a des souvenirs différents. Et qui revient de loin . En littérature, il est facile de les reconnaître, ceux-là qui bâtissent sur l’expérience passée afin de recréer la vie présente, riche et sensible. Souvent, leur grande sagesse inspire un choix de vie, un changement de position, un peu comme le fait de changer de lunettes, ou de coiffer ses cheveux la raie sur l’autre côté...
Habs 100th
By Alidor Aucoin on December 18, 2008
The Habs observe their 100th birthday, next year, but the centennial celebrations got off to a head start earlier this month...