Tag Archives: john ivison

Ivison: Outdated federal policies killing jobs in western Canada (1)

The most telling statistic to emerge from the new census was the revelation that for the first time in Canadian history the proportion of the population living west of Ontario is greater than that living to the east. The balance … Continue reading

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Ivison: Political will not enough to fuel new oil sands refineries

Top of the agenda for Stephen Harper when he visits Beijing next week will be the sale of Canada’s crude oil to China. The Conservative government’s enthusiasm for exporting this country’s raw resources has come under fire for perpetuating our … Continue reading

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Ivison: Pragmatic motives behind Stephen Harper’s meeting with First Nations

Sir John A. Macdonald “thumped no tubs, he banged no pulpits,” according to biographer Donald Creighton. Even when debating as ambitious a project as Confederation, he refused to pander to romanticism. “I am satisfied not to have a reputation for … Continue reading

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Ivison: Lavish MP pensions on chopping block

Members of Parliament are likely to see the generous terms of their gold-plated pensions significantly eroded as part of the Harper government’s deficit reduction budget this spring. Stephen Harper had hinted in an interview last week that part of the … Continue reading

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Ivison: Justin Trudeau’s ‘shiddle-diddle’ moment reminds us why Question Period is worth watching (1)

I have of late lost all my mirth when it comes to Canadian politics. Question Period, in particular, has been as much fun as watching a potato bake. But it’s the end of term and Justin Trudeau’s “shiddle-diddle” outburst reminded … Continue reading

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Ivison: Education is key to life after Attawapiskat

The Attawapiskat housing crisis, and the blame game that followed between Ottawa and native leaders, suggests relations with Canada’s First Nations have broken down. But that impression would be wrong. In fact, when Stephen Harper sits down with native chiefs … Continue reading

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Ivison: With millions pouring into Attawapiskat, colonial blame only goes so far (2)

Failed colonial policies are the biggest obstacles to First Nation progress, Shawn Atleo told a gathering of native chiefs in Ottawa Tuesday. The Assembly of First Nations chief was referring to moves such as Ottawa’s decision to put the troubled … Continue reading

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Ivison: The rising toll of a ‘failed experiment’ with isolated reserves

Canadians are accustomed to the Red Cross sending emergency aid to Haiti and the Horn of Africa. They are less used to the organization sending blankets and winter clothing to impoverished native Canadians living in tents. In the stricken northern … Continue reading

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Ivison: The incredibly dull House that Harper built

It’s half an hour before Question Period in the House of Commons, on the day of the vote on the budget bill – the one the opposition parties claim they haven’t had sufficient time to debate. Yet, the chamber is … Continue reading

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Ivison: Hudak learns perils of ‘me too’ campaign (1)

AMHERSTBURG, ONT. – Tim Hudak was up early in southwestern Ontario visiting the home of Ian and Beryl Barton, a retired couple on a fixed income, for a photo op to highlight how the Tories will offer tax and energy … Continue reading

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Ivison: Buyers should be wary after Ontario leaders debate (2)

Tim Hudak and Andrea Horwath will be mighty glad Tuesday’s Toronto Maple Leafs-Ottawa Senators pre-season game wasn’t on cable. If half of all Ontario voters tuned into the Ontario leaders’ debate, as they told pollsters they intended to, it may … Continue reading

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