Crossing the Floor

Crossing the floor

The Liberal Party inched closer to a majority government this week as Conservative Marilyn Gladu crossed the floor to join them. The move was accompanied by the usual complaints that the floor-crosser had betrayed her constituents and turned her back on the values she pledged to support. ‘Crossing the floor’, in the parliamentary system, is…

Alto

Proposed Alto route options

Alto for those outside the country who may not be aware, is Canada’s proposed new high speed rail system. It is intended to run from Quebec City to Toronto, though really, in my opinion, should extend all the way to Windsor. It should not be controversial. Sure, the price tag should be controversial – how…

Checklist Politics

Responding to: Resist the urge to throw people or values under the bus The number one tool of capital (right wing fascists) is to use divide and conquer and group think. The pressure is working on some. Don’t let it. Whether it’s immigrants, Palestine, Trans people, EDI/DEI, resist the urge to “fit in.” Resist the…

Thoughts on Dominic Cardy

Here’s the question that was posed on Reddit: Anyone have any thoughts on his right wing shift and adoption of centre right politics after being a NDP member since the mid 80’s. Also what left wing positions do you think Centrist parties like Canadian future and the Centrist party should adopt from the NDP and…

The War on Iran

I think I join all New Democrats in opposing this was and in being more than disappointed in Carney’s endorsement of it. The issue with the war, though, is not that it is ‘illegal’, it is that it is wrong. Specifically: even if the war were justified (and there is a strong argument to make…

Cuba

Canadian flag and trees

It was just a few days ago that Canadian prime minister Mark Carney called on the world’s smaller nations to demonstrate solidarity in the face of greater hegemony being shown by the major powers. It was a solid speech, with a resonating message, and a call to action. Now we are in a position where…

Carney’s Speech

Mark Carney at Davos 2026

Responding to McPherson’s response to Carney’s speech. Canada was never in a position to enforce the rules-based international order, and suggesting it failed because we (Canada) didn’t enforce it would be mistaken. As others have commented, the main point of Carney’s speech was to state that in many ways the rules-based international order was always…

The China Agreement

Screenshot-2026-01-17-at-16-45-50-Doug-Ford-slams-Canadas-lopsided-new-EV-deal-with-China-CBC-News.png

The Conservative criticism of Mark Carney’s recently-signed agreement with China shows exactly why the Conservatives do not understand how to promote national interests in an increasingly uncertain world. “Prime Minister Carney must explain how he has gone from saying China was Canada’s ‘biggest security threat’ before the election to announcing a ‘strategic partnership’ with Beijing…

Soft Socialists

Rob Ashton

Responding to this thread. I think a good point is made here. It’s one thing to come out with a manifesto that defines what a ‘real’ New Democrat is, and quite another to work for the things that will help the people you hope will vote for you. Environment is a good case in point….

Venezuela

Caracas

I’m not going to pretend that Venezuela was any kind of socialist paradise. I had the opportunity to visit a number of years ago and saw first-hand the crime, poverty and inequality that argues that it wasn’t. All this despite its wealth. As always when I visit other lands, though, I found the people incredibly…