Unpublished.cafe

The Canadian Constitution has been taking a beating from the provinces during the pandemic. Ontario uses the notwithstanding clause to get its way on third party election spending, despite their law violating Charter Rights. Then Quebec wanted to change part of the Constitution that applies to it, to declare itself a Nation and to make French the official language of the Province. Not to be outdone, Alberta has jumped in with a referendum on whether it can pull out of the Equalization Program. Will it work? Albertans had a number of referendums on their ballots earlier this week, in municipal elections. The most noteworthy was the vote on whether the Province should pull out of the Canada’s Equalization program. The Premier says this isn’t about playing politics, it’s about fairness. When you consider, BC and Quebec are big recipients of Equalization from the federal government with about $20 billion coming from Alberta, they are also the biggest impediments to getting Alberta oil to tidewater. The Equalizati

Following our last federal election, which saw the Liberals return to government with another minority, voices have been rising about a more fair and equitable form of elections to better represent all voters. Does Canada need electoral reform now? In 2015, then Liberal leader, Justin Trudeau said if he won the election it would be the last federal election under the “First Past the Post” system. We’ve had two elections since that claim—both were First Past the Post. When you look at the numbers from the last election, Trudeau won with the support of just 20% of voters. Not exactly a rousing endorsement. In Europe, New Zealand and Australia, they have various forms of electoral reform, whether it’s some form of Proportional Representation or Ranked Ballot. Our Unpublished.vote question asked you: Do you support electoral reform in Canada?Yes = 89.3%No =  6.2%Unsure = 4.4%However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our pod

The mantra is clear for most small business operators, “we can’t find people to work because of government subsidies” and it’s hurting their recovery. How true does that ring? It’s a sight seen many places across the country as lockdowns were eased and restrictions lifted, small businesses were delighted to resume operations. The only problem was finding people to work. When the pandemic arrived and Canada was shut down, the government filled the financial breach with the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). All those thrown out of work due to Covid were able to collect $500/week to make ends meet. It was a quick response to a dire need for many at no fault of their own. The government has moved the CERB to Employment Insurance for those unable to find work. The Canada Recovery Benefit followed for those still jobless or making 50% less than they were. But, in the case of the Recovery benefit, the payout was reduced to $300 a week. And the program comes to an end later this month. Our Unpublished.vote qu

he lay of the land politically has not shifted since the beginning of the pandemic. When COVID arrived, the Liberals had a minority government propped up by the NDP. Fast forward to this summer and the Liberals plunged the country into an election which no one wanted, only to arrive back at the same point, a Liberal minority. Now, they will have to lay out their agenda with an eye on support from another party. What should be the top priorities of this government? The Fourth wave of the pandemic is here, debt and deficit is piling up, employers are having trouble finding help and Indigenous reconciliation is top of mind for many Canadians. Our Unpublished.vote question asked: What should be the top priority of the new federal government?Our audience responded:Economic recovery = 49.7% Vaccine mandates = 4.5%Indigenous reconciliation = 3.4%Climate change = 6.1%Electoral reform = 24.0%Foreign policy and trade = 1.1%Other = 11.2%Unsure = 0%However, you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our s

It was a promise seen as broken from the 2015 Federal election. Then Liberal leader Justin Trudeau promised that if elected the 205 election would be the last First-Past-the-Post federal election in Canada. Well, he was elected with a majority and here we are two elections later—both were First-Past-the-Post. Will electoral reform come to Canada? The Liberals promised electoral reform in 2015 and a committee was working on it with the suggestion of taking it to the people in a referendum. That’s when the committee was cancelled. Fast forward to the 2021 campaign and late in the race, Trudeau said he was open to electoral reform, although we saw what happened last time. There are two main forms of electoral reform: Proportional Representation and Ranked Ballot (preferential voting). The aim is to give more voice to your vote. Currently, the First-Past-the-Post system benefits the larger parties. Proportional representation is alive and working well in particular in Europe and Australia and New Zealand. Coming

One thousand and twenty days. Almost three years behind bars in China. And in one fell swoop, the two Michaels were on a plane to Calgary, while Meng Wanzhou, CFO of Huawei pleaded guilty in a deferred prosecution agreement and was on a plane back to China. It’s been three years of frosty relations between Canada and China. Can or will the relationship be repaired? Canada does trade with China, but no-where near to the extent we do with the US. China is the world’s second largest economy trailing only the US. There is huge potential for growth with China, but when you consider what has happened between the two, you wonder if the trust is broken permanently. Canadians, according to pollsters, overwhelmingly want Canada to distance itself from China. Our Unpublished.vote question asked:Do you expect Canada-China relations to improve with our new government?Yes = 8.7%No = 84.8%Unsure = 6.5%However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTub

Less than two weeks after the 44th Federal election, it’s time to start lining up the priorities and looking ahead at the next session of Parliament. What is on the horizon for us? The snap election called by the Liberals failed to give them a majority which means they will have to work with others to accomplish anything. Our Unpublished.vote question asks: What should be the top priority of the new federal government? Economic recovery, climate change, Indigenous reconciliation, electoral reform or something else? You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote and have your voice heard. There is no time to bask in the glow of an electoral win as not much changed in terms of the House of Commons. The Liberals were able to last a year and a half in the House with the support of the NDP. It may be a partnership that makes sense for them again. Coming up on the Unpublished.Cafe podcast, we’ll talk about what the priorities should be for the government to get the economy back on track. Guests:Aaron Wudrick

Canada’s most populous province has introduced vaccine passports. Despite initially refusing to introduce them, Ontario has reluctantly jumped on board. Will it make a difference?Quebec initiated the idea to allow those double vaccinated to access non-essential services and events, like restaurants, concerts and sporting events. When you look at the polls on vaccine mandates, vaccine passports and mandatory vaccinations, the majority of vaccinated Canadians support their use. While Covid can breakthrough those who are double vaccinated, 9 in 10 Covid-patients in hospitals now are unvaccinated. During the federal election campaign, the Liberals promised to make vaccines mandatory for federal workers and those under federal regulations. There are some exemptions, such as children under 12 who don’t currently qualify, and those with an allergy to the ingredients are exempt. Our Unpublished.vote question asked:Do you support the use of mandatory vaccines and vaccine passports in Canada?Our audience responded: Yes

A $600 million election for Canada to wind up pretty well where we started: A Liberal minority. For those of us who lamented the lack of discussion on foreign policy in the campaign, there is one huge issue facing this country and that is the Chinese government.  Will Relations be different this time around?  There has been a dark cloud hanging over Canada-China relations for 3- years now. Before the pandemic, it was “the two Michaels “ who have been incarcerated and convicted on trumped up charges in the wake of the arrest of Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver. Factor in the Sabre rattling about Taiwan and China’s expansion into the South China Sea and it appears China is not concerned with others.  Our Unpublished.vote question asks:  Do you expect Canada-China relations to improve with our new government?  Yes No Unsure You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote and have your voice heard.  The Canada - China relationship got a free pass during the campaign, but it’s been more than one thousand days since

The finish line is in sight for the 44th Federal election. Polls close at 8 pm this evening in eastern Canada in a campaign that was overridden by one nagging issue. Why are we having this election? It was something the Liberals under-estimated and it left the Opposition an opening. Will it work? The 36-day campaign saw the Liberals holding an 8-point lead on the Conservatives and hoping for a majority. Now, Trudeau is in a statistical tie with Erin O’Toole and the Conservatives. This election comes a bit different. For one, the growth of the PPC has been eye opener. Add to the mix, this is Jagmeet Singh’s second election. In the final week the NDP has seen some growth. Then, there’s the Green Party that was hoping for renewed optimism and support, only to have its campaign derailed by infighting. The Bloc Québécois has seen some enthusiasm for its message coming courtesy of a moderator’s question in the English leader’s debate. Our Unpublished.vote question asked: Did the federal leaders’ national debate(s)

Remember when the pandemic started more than a year and a half ago? Lockdowns, masks, fear of the unknown. A vaccine against Covid-19 would spare us those restrictions and pave the way back to normal, or as normal as we might see.  But it hasn’t. Now we have a divide between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated over mandatory vaccines and vaccine passports. Which side are you on?  Not only have we had to wrestle with the pandemic and the battle over the unvaccinated, it comes in the middle of a federal election campaign. When put to the public, in both cases, the majority of Canadians support mandatory vaccines and vaccine passports. That doesn’t seem to matter to those who oppose vaccines, to the point of protesting in front of hospitals. The places that have been overwhelmed since the beginning of the pandemic.  Our Unpublished.vote vote question asks:  Do you support the use of mandatory vaccines and vaccine passports in Canada?  YesNo Unsure  You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote and make y

Canadians are one week away from heading to the ballot box in the country’s 44th Federal election. We have just come out of the first weekend of advanced polling and the leaders and candidates continue to stump for your approval. According to a number of polls, the top issues for Canadians are affordability, housing and the economic recovery from the pandemic. What do you think of the plans to get us on the road to recovery? More than a year and a half after the pandemic arrived on our shores, Canada continues to grapple with the economic impact. Vaccines are available and lockdowns have eased, but the economy continues to be sluggish. Our Unpublished.vote question asked: Which party has the best plan to get the Canadian economy back on track?Our audience responded: Liberals = 3.2%Conservatives = 24%NDP = 0.7%Green = 1.4%PPC = 68.7%Other = 0.7%None of Above = 1.4% However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast ch

That’s a wrap on the televised leaders debates in this federal election campaign. Thursday’s was the only English language debate and the Liberal leader was in the cross hairs of the other candidates.  Did any of them make an impression?  The one thing not clearly answered by Justin Trudeau is why he called an election. Usually in these debates, everyone wants to make an impression—maybe a knockout punch.  On the table for discussion in the one and only English language debate were: Climate change, indigenous reconciliation, affordability and the COVID-19 pandemic. The issues were selected by the Federal Election Broadcast Group.  Our Unpublished.vote question asks:  Do the debates help you to decide who to vote for?  YesNoUnsure  You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote!  We are 10 days away from heading to the ballot box in the 44th Federal election. Polls are showing a tight race between the Conservatives and the Liberals, but no one is sniffing around majority territory. Coming up on the podc

It’s the dream of pretty well every Canadian to own their own home. Do you remember the time you got the keys to your first home? I do. It’s a goal fulfilling feeling. But, it’s a dream out of reach for many Canadians right now, which is why all the federal parties are preaching about their platforms to provide more affordable housing. Will any of the parties’ plans for affordable housing work? Affordable housing is defined as spending no more than 30 percent of the family income on rent or mortgage payments. When it rises above that, it forces people to cut back somewhere else. At the beginning of the election campaign, affordable housing was the top priority for most Canadians. Prices across the country have been on the rise with Toronto and Vancouver leading the way. The average price of a home in T.O is now north of $1 Million. Not exactly an affordable price tag for those entering the real-estate market for the first time. Our Unpublished.vote question asked: Which federal party has the best plan to crea

It appears the money train has rolled out of each party’s campaign platform. In the pursuit of your vote, all parties are willing to spend to get your support at the ballot box. Which one do you feel will help the most? Less than three weeks before we go to the polls, we’re getting a clearer look at how each party plans to get the economy rolling again. To get a better perspective on whether any will actually help the economy, we’ll talk to a number of experts. Coming up later on the show, Jasmin Guenette of The Canadian Federation of Independent Business will join us. First up is Mark Agnew, Sr. VP of Policy & Government Relations at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Ian Lee from the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University will also join us.Our Unpublished.vote question this week asks:  Which party do you feel has the best plan to get the economy back on track? LiberalsConservativesNDPGreen Party People’s Party of Canada You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote. 

We are three weeks away from heading to the ballot box in the country’s 44th federal election. Did Canadians really “deserve a say” on how to proceed with COVID as the Prime Minister claimed? We’re just over two weeks into this campaign and the Liberal campaign is way off course. When the Prime Minister announced the election, it smacked of opportunism. There was no bill defeated to lead to an election. The next vote was to be two years away according to our fixed election dates. But numbers had the Grits flirting with majority territory. Since the pandemic started, the minority Liberal government has been able to govern through the pandemic with the support of the NDP. And, there seemed to be little the two were squabbling about to indicate a loss of confidence. Our Unpublished.vote question asks, “Do you feel the need for a federal election right now? Our audience response: 30.5% Voted Yes67.5% Voted No2.0%   Voted UnsureHowever you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media cha

The dream of home ownership for many Canadians remains out of reach which is why the Political parties are banging the drum of affordable housing in this election campaign, trying to get your support. Will it work?  According to Nanos Research almost 5 million Canadians fear they won’t be able to pay for their housing in the next 30 days. That is an enormous burden on people trying to navigate their way through the fourth wave of the pandemic possibly dealing with employment issues.  Our Unpublished.vote question asks, which federal party has the best plan to create affordable housing? The Liberals, Conservatives, NDP, Green Party or the People’s Party under Maxime Bernier.  You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote and have your voice heard.  Coming up on the show, Dr. Paul Kershaw will join us from the University of British Columbia. He is also the founder of Generation Squeeze. First, I’m pleased to be joined by Nik Nanos, Chief Data Scientist and Founder of NANOS RESEARCH. Guests:  Nik Nanos,

We’ve been hearing the drums beating since the spring. A federal election is on the horizon. Maybe early summer, maybe mid-summer. Well, here we are in the first week of the 44th federal election campaign. Is this what Canadians want?  The federal Liberals have governed through the pandemic with a minority government propped up by the NDP. In this country we have fixed election dates. This election comes early as there was no need to have one until 2023 unless the government lost a vote of confidence on a money Bill. That hasn’t happened.  Pollsters have been touting the Grits are within striking distance of a majority, which many observers say is the driving force behind this election. Many see it as opportunistic of the Liberals to call it while the country deals with the fourth wave of the pandemic, fuelled by the highly contagious Delta variant.  At the same time, BC is being ravaged by wildfires, ground penetrating radar continues to find more children victims of the residential school system and just la

It has all the twists and turns of an espionage thriller... missing scientists, questionable security, tight lipped police and a government trying to hide information from Parliament. What could possibly be in those documents? The husband and wife team of researchers were escorted out of Winnipeg‘s National Virology Lab in the summer of 2019. All the Public Health Agency of Canada will say is that it was an “administrative issue” and will not elaborate. The pair also had many Chinese students working alongside them. This is one of the most secure facilities in Canada. Parliament’s committee on Canada China relations has been demanding the documents regarding the removal of the scientists, but the Public Health Agency won’t release them citing national security issues. The Liberals have even gone as far as filing a lawsuit against the Speaker to keep the documents hidden.Our Unpublished.vote question this week asked: Should the federal government respect the wishes of Parliament and provide the documents on th

It hasn’t happened in over 100 years in the House of Commons and it’s now setting up for a showdown between Parliament and the Courts. Who will come out on top? This is a saga of twists and turns. Back in March, a House of Commons Committee asked the head of the Public Health Agency of Canada to produce documents regarding two Chinese scientists at the National Virology Lab in Winnipeg. It was unclear why the two scientists were escorted out of the building and dismissed. The head of the Agency, Iain Stewart, refused as it could have potentially sensitive or injurious information. He was admonished in the House for the refusal, but it sparked a bizarre situation where the sitting Liberals are suing the Speaker of the House to keep those documents secret. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a Party take the Speaker, who is also a member of the same party, to Court. It brings up a number of issues... Which is supreme, the courts or Parliament? As well, what we’re Chinese scientists working on at Winnipeg’s National Mic