Thoughts on BC Politics and More

With America growing more hostile and unreliable, Canada must lead in forging a deeper partnership with its closest constitutional and cultural kin.' King Charles III’s visit to Ottawa in May to open Parliament and deliver the Speech from the Throne was much more than a bit of theatre. The spectacle of a king in North America inspecting troops and taking salutes gave flesh and blood to Canada’s unique and ancient constitutional settlement — a vivid reminder of the country’s distinctness from its revolutionary, republican neighbour to the south. In the seemingly arcane rituals, such as the ceremonial challenging of the Usher of the Black Rod at the entrance to the House of Commons, we saw a physical re-enactment of the long history that gave us the liberties we enjoy today. Canada’s constitutional monarchy embodies a different kind of vision for human society, one that roots freedom in a shared inheritance and in gradual, organic change — not the codified principles of abstract re...

Even accounting for the usual standard for rhetorical hyperbole in throne speeches, talk of the “largest transformation” of Canada’s economy in 80 years certainly stands out. It’s a bold statement that Prime Minister Mark Carney has made several times since he officially entered politics in January. Yet we’re still no further ahead in understanding what precisely it means. What kind of transformation does he envision? What does it involve? What are the trade-offs? What will it look like? What will it mean for Canadians? Answers to these basic yet important questions remain decidedly elusive ... CLICK HERE for the full story  

... This throne speech was like many before it, though out of deference for the deliverer it was on the short side, 21 pages tucked inside wide margins. In substance it was a paraphrase of Mark Carney’s already-semi-legendary Single Mandate Letter for cabinet ministers. There were sections on redefining Canada’s relationship with the United States; on internal trade; on crimefighting and national defence; and on “spending less and investing more,” which, I mean, we’ll see. The mandate letter seems to have supplanted the Liberal election platform as the main blueprint for Carney’s action. The two aren’t wildly incompatible, but the mandate letter/ throne speech is streamlined and puts stuff in different order. I saw two surprises big enough to make me write today, but first I want to point to a few elements that are worth noting in the less-surprising stuff. That’s right, I’m trying to be useful, not just smart-assed ... CLICK HERE for the full commentary

When I was a young MLA, I was outspoken about the irrelevance of the Canadian connection to the British monarchy, and I wanted to abolish the Canadian Senate. I felt both were a waste of money, and from a western perspective, not useful. Today is the first time I have felt that as a Constitutional Monarchy, Canada has a much stronger place in the world, and we are all protected in this institution in a way that we would not be if we were independent. It's a bit like insurance, you can grumble about paying for it until the day you need it. And then, you realize it's worth all the years of premiums. Reconciliation is happening. At every step in the opening of parliament, Indigenous leaders and Indigenous culture was featured. The best part? It felt natural and meaningful. What an enormous change in the past fifty years. |For the first time in Canadian history, the King of Canada opened our parliament by reading the Speech from the Throne. I paid attention to the response of membe...

A new Angus Reid Institute poll released this week, timed with King Charles III’s visit to Ottawa, asked Canadians a simple question: “Do you think Canada should continue as a constitutional monarchy for generations to come?” The results were clear—though not overwhelming. Nationally, 46% of respondents said no, compared to 30% in favour and 24% unsure. While opposition outweighs support, these numbers likely fall way short of sparking serious momentum for change among our elected officials ... CLICK HERE for the full story