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Articles on Stephen Harper

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A micro-survey of political science students has found they go into politics to serve the public good. (Shutterstock)

The kids are alright: Aspiring political staffers are altruistically motivated

In a time of growing partisanship and general political uncertainty, a short research project provides a snapshot of the young people who might one day walk the halls of power.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre speaks at his party convention on Sept. 8, 2023 in Québec. A strategy focused on fiscal conservatism, family and traditional values ​​regarding sexuality could be very advantageous for his party. La Presse Canadienne/Jacques Boissinot

Anti-trans protests: The Conservative party could use ideological polarization to win voters

Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative party could make gains by rallying the libertarian right, evangelical Christians and immigrant communities, especially Muslims, on issues of sexuality.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping after taking part in the closing session at the G20 Leaders Summit in Bali, Indonesia on Nov. 16, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Why did Xi scold Trudeau? Maybe because Canada spent years helping China erode human rights

Xi Jinping thought he could chastise Justin Trudeau because this is the lesson the Jean Chrétien and Stephen Harper governments had conveyed: Don’t take us seriously when we talk about rights.
In this 2006 photo, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is unveiled in a ceremony in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Ottero)

Federal budget 2022: More defence funding in wake of Canada’s F-35 about-face

Canada’s F-35 flip-flop amid the Ukraine war underscores the need for a far-reaching, comprehensive review of the defence, security, diplomatic and development issues facing the country.
A woman waves a Canadian flag as the frigate HMCS Halifax heads from the harbour in Halifax in January 2021 to start a six-month deployment in the Mediterranean Sea to assist in NATO counter-terrorism patrols. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

Canada’s exclusion from the AUKUS security pact reveals a failing national defence policy

Canada’s ‘fireproof house’ defence strategy is causing problems among its allies. When you are convinced you live in a gated community, the pressure to invest in alarms for your home disappears.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greets commuters at a Montréal Metro station the day after the federal election that saw him win re-election. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Why minority governments have been good — and sometimes bad — for Canada

Canada has elected another Liberal minority government. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of Canadian minority governments over the years.
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh responds to a question during a news conference in Windsor, Ont., as he criticizes the Liberals. Strategic voting, when it’s in play, often serves to hurt the NDP. But is it effective in preventing Conservative victories? THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Canadian election 2021: Do strategic voting campaigns actually work?

Labour unions and other progressive organizations in Canada have increasingly embraced strategic voting as a preferred strategy to defeat Conservative politicians. But does the tactic really work?
Justin Trudeau boards his campaign plane in Toronto on Aug. 17. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Rhetoric Check: Historically, how important is the 2021 Canadian election?

Is Justin Trudeau correct about the importance of this election? Nobody has a crystal ball to foresee what the government will do in the future. But it’s certainly important to Trudeau’s legacy.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Marco Lambertini, director general of World Wildlife Fund International and Megan Leslie, president and CEO of World Wildlife Fund Canada in Montréal in 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Canadian election 2021: Risk-averse charities, civil society groups must show up

Charities and non-profit organizations must make their voices heard this election. At the same time, Elections Canada and the CRA should reassure them their involvement is encouraged.
By identifying the need to tackle systemic discrimination instead of colonialism, Trudeau is reinforcing an established idea in Canadian politics: that colonialism is history. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Not in the past: Colonialism is rooted in the present

Narratives that historicize colonialism are not new. Canadians and our leaders have a long history of denying our settler colonial present.
People keep social distance amid concerns over the coronavirus outbreak during a protest against the coalition deal between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz and government corruption in Tel Aviv on May 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Canada missing in action on Israel’s proposed annexation of the West Bank

In 2015, Justin Trudeau announced that ‘Canada is back’ and promised to support a rules-based international order. Yet Canada has maintained the previous Conservative government’s pro-Israel stance.
Canada’s mission in Afghanistan under former prime minister Stephen Harper is an example of how a minority situation for a government can influence foreign policy. Harper is seen here in Kandahar in May 2011, shortly after winning a majority government. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

How minority governments can influence foreign policy

Minority parliaments create a political environment that discourages cabinet from bold acts. That means Justin Trudeau’s foreign policy will like be more risk-averse that it was before.
Justin Trudeau, appearing with with his wife Sophie on election night, saw his majority government reduced to a minority. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Justin Trudeau’s political setback: A surprise to the world, but not to Canada

For international observers, it may be stunning to see Justin Trudeau’s government reduced to a minority after his meteoric rise to power in 2015. It happened because he disappointed his progressive base.

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