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In this episode of On The Line, Matt Gurney speaks with two sharp political observers to take stock of where things stand across Canada — and how some leaders are adapting to the post-election landscape.
First up: veteran pollster and friend of the show John Wright joins Matt to look at how Canadians are feeling three months into Prime Minister Mark Carney’s post-election tenure. What do the numbers say? Why are some Canadians especially grumpy? And why haven’t the Conservatives really found their footing yet? Wright and Gurney also talk about Pierre Poilievre’s absence from the conversation, and why Ontario Premier Doug Ford seems happy to wait it all out — for now.
Then: we’re joined by Rob Shaw, a prolific British Columbia journalist and regular contributor to The Line, for a roundup of the latest from the west coast. The B.C. government has landed in hot water over a decision to deny a dying child access to medicine — and the political backlash has been swift. Meanwhile, even as concerns over public safety remain paramount, Premier David Eby keeps picking fights with Donald Trump. Is this smart politics, or just desperation? Rob breaks it down.
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This was a very one-sided presentation by Mr. Wright and he got many of the facts wrong as noted by Mark Jacka. I had the feeling that Matt was not entirely comfortable with the conversation. On most issues I agree with Matt and would say that so far, I am also unimpressed by Mr Carney and would like to see some real action in the next three months. With regards to the Canadian situation, which was before the election stated as dire and in need of a strong hand, it is an outrage that Parliament is on an extended vacation where any control mechanisms are shut down and our elected MPs are scattered across the country, doing what exactly? I don’t believe any of the regular folks, whose livelihood is threatened in terms of work and housing, would have sympathy or understanding for the behaviour of our government. But hey, we got free passes to parks and museums, so what I am complaining about???
I listened to this episode while on a lovely, relaxing motorcycle ride out here in the hills and countryside of Northumberland County (east of Toronto). I agree with Matt that PM Carney hasn't accomplished a whole heck of a lot in his first 3 months and I don't given him credit for either the capital gains or consumer carbon tax cancellation because the conservatives were committed to that already. Mr. Carney only adopted those to counter the conservative position. His abrupt cancellation of the digital sales tax, without even the slightest attempt to either defend it or deride it made him look hasty and weak in my mind. At the very least he could have articulated the reasoning behind its initial implementation and why it was now such a bad idea. Simply saying "Because Trump!", isn't good enough and only implying it is even worse.
While listening to John it was apparent that he INTENSLY dislikes Polievere (the politician) and has invested so much hope and belief in Carney that he seems to be casting a completely uncritical eye on his performance.
The fact that the country is facing such a critical time regarding Trumps tariffs and now the decree regarding Palestinian statehood without parliament sitting is disrespectful to the populace and our concept of democracy, but is in character with the Liberal view that they know better and there is no reason to muddy the waters with opinions or facts that would challenge their perspective.
The damage done to this country on a number of fronts over the reign of Justin Trudeau will take many years to correct, but it's not gonna happen, or even start while parliamentarians snooze on the porch at their cottages.