Which is the Canadian political party most likely to stand up to the world’s rich and powerful? Which is willing to help the poorest of the poor gain a semblance of dignity and respect? Which can proudly proclaim, we stand for what is right, not just what is easy and expedient? Unfortunately, the answer is... Continue Reading →
How foreign policy shaped election outcome
The Canadian foreign policy status quo won Monday’s election. Of course, when it came to international and military affairs the vote had little upside. All the parties with a chance of winning seats in Parliament promote a corporate, military and Washington-centred foreign policy. But a Conservative victory would have made things worse. At least... Continue Reading →
Why won’t any party challenge Canadian foreign policy?
During the first month of the election campaign the discussion of international and military affairs has been dismal at worst and non-existent at best. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix to the problem that requires a profound shake up in the popular understanding of Canada’s place in the world. A number of liberal minded foreign... Continue Reading →
NDP’s foreign policy is a disappointment
The NDP’s foreign and defence policy election statements are poor. Let’s begin by looking at the good part of the NDP’s platform. The highlight of “A better role in the world” is a call to “suspend arms sales to Israel until the end of the illegal occupation.” The call for a patent waiver on COVID... Continue Reading →
Where’s NDP on fighter jet purchase?
How about a little friendly pressure? Hopefully that’s all it would take for Left NDP MPs to join Neil Young, Stephen Lewis, Teagan and Sarah, David Suzuki and many other notable Canadian and international figures in calling for government resources to “be used to eliminate boil water advisories on reserves, build light rail lines across... Continue Reading →
NDP defence critic ignores party policy
Why does the NDP defence critic promote militarism and anti-Palestinian racism? Shouldn’t all critics promote their party’s policies? And if they don’t, what should the party leader do? Randall Garrison complained to the Hill Times that the government’s recent budget didn’t devote enough to the military. In “Opposition MPs say they’re worried about lack of... Continue Reading →
10 ways to end Canadian complicity with Israeli violence
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh’s call for an arms embargo on Israel is a positive development. But, with tens of thousands taking to the streets across the country on Saturday we should expect more forthright efforts to stop Israeli violence, which has killed well over 220 Palestinians, including 64 children, in the past ten days. Below... Continue Reading →
Does the NDP want a war with Russia?
Does the NDP want to go to war with Russia? Unfortunately that is the logic of a recent statement by its deputy foreign affairs critic. In an interview with Ukrainian-Canadian media outlet New Pathway, Heather McPherson said the government should promote Ukraine joining NATO. Additionally, she wants Ottawa to expand its military presence in the... Continue Reading →
NDP in bed with neocons over China
Canadians truly committed to a rules-based, peaceful international order need voices in Parliament to speak up against militarism and the US empire. Instead we get a supposed ‘left’ party indistinguishable from the right. The recent flap over an award given out by the Halifax International Security Forum highlights how the NDP is jumping into... Continue Reading →
NDP votes for Palestine
On Saturday New Democratic Party members delivered a victory for Palestinian rights and a blow to the Israel lobby in Canada. Over 80% of convention delegates voted for a resolution calling for “Ending all trade and economic cooperation with illegal settlements in Israel-Palestine” and “Suspending the bilateral trade of all arms and related materials... Continue Reading →
Why couldn’t Jagmeet Singh say “Palestine”?
On CBC’s The House on Saturday Jagmeet Singh was asked about resolutions submitted to next week’s NDP convention regarding “Canada’s relationship to Israel and the Palestinian territory”. Instead of responding to the question, he mentioned “anti-Semitism” four times. Asked again about “resolutions that in a sense condemn Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians”, Singh again failed... Continue Reading →
Israel lobby’s bid to suppress NDP debate reflects their strength and weakness
At the upcoming NDP convention the social democratic party’s members should have the opportunity to vote on two widely endorsed pro-Palestinian resolutions. But Canada’s pro-Israel lobby groups are pressuring the party leadership to suppress debate regarding a resolution critical of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) anti-Palestinian working definition of antisemitism. They want to suppress... Continue Reading →
Why the NDP needs a new defence critic
What should be expected from a “defence critic” for a left-wing political party? An easy answer might be criticism from the left, but in the case of the NDP that doesn’t happen much. The Department of National Defence/Canadian Forces is far and away the largest federal government department. It has the biggest budget, staff, public... Continue Reading →
Israel lobby group has no credibility to lecture NDP on racism
It’s heating up. With a month to go before the NDP convention the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) has twice attacked Palestine solidarity and the left of the party. In a Twitter thread on Tuesday the official advocacy arm of Canada’s Jewish federations promoted the idea that Canada’s first ever openly gay... Continue Reading →
Broadbent Institute head smears Ashton, Robinson and internationalism
Broadbent Institute head Rick Smith should just be frank and say he hates Palestinians and doesn’t care about internationalism. On Tuesday Smith tweeted that it was disturbing that NDP MP Niki Ashton was doing an upcoming fundraiser for the Progressive International with former British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. In response to former NDP... Continue Reading →
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