The TPP is a Done Deal, But Now What?

After years of careful negotiating, and a weekend of touch-and-go final detailing, 12 Pacific Rim countries agreed in principle this morning to the makings of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the largest free trade agreement in global history knocking down trade barriers for 800 million people and about 40 per cent of the world’s economy. Conservative leader Stephen Harper was pleased with the deal saying, “This deal is, without any doubt whatsoever, in the best interests of the Canadian economy.” Great! So what’s in it? Nobody outside the governments that negotiated it know. Continue reading “The TPP is a Done Deal, But Now What?” →

What’s in a Niqab?

And to think, when this campaign started some 17 years ago, we thought it was going to be all about the economy, Duffy, and whether or not you’ll ever be able to get to vote without having to fight through an army political operatives. What a difference 60-plus days make. Now it seems that the race is all about whether or not the government should have the ability to tell a statistically nearly non-existent group of people what not to wear at citizenship ceremonies, and that’s just how the Conservatives like it. Continue reading “What’s in a Niqab?” →

Open Sources Show Notes for Thursday October 1, 2015

The election started with New Democratic Party leader Tom Mulcair being the heir apparent for the Prime Minister’s Office, but this week on Open Sources Guelph we’re wondering a more local-focused question: can an NDP candidate overturn the 22 year Liberal Party dynasty in the Royal City. We’ve had the Liberal candidate on the show to tell us why we should stay red, and this week’s its the NDP’s turn to tell us why we should like some Orange Crush. Continue reading “Open Sources Show Notes for Thursday October 1, 2015” →

Blue Rodeo Releases Harper Protest Song

The protest song is not a new device for rock and rollers looking to rage against the machine, but when stalwarts of CanCon Top 40 middlebrow work day mix radio start raging, you should sit up and take notice. Blue Rodeo is hardly the protest song type, but they are now. The Canadian band has released a new single called “Stealin’ All My Dreams,” and guess who the titular thief is. Continue reading “Blue Rodeo Releases Harper Protest Song” →

Another Debate, Another Classic Harper GIF

Last night, the Federal leaders met to debate for the third time, and the first time en francais. Aside from the difference in language, and the nearly 67 per cent increase in participants thanks to the inclusion of Elizabeth May and Giles Duceppe, there was a marked difference in tone and content with the focus on Quebec’s top issues. But some things didn’t change, and that was Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s skill at unintentionally creating easily gifable moments during a debate. Continue reading “Another Debate, Another Classic Harper GIF” →

Open Sources Show Notes for Thursday September 24, 2015

This week, Open Sources Guelph will kick its election coverage to the next level by interviewing the first of the four major party candidates in the riding of Guelph. Sandwiched between two debates here in the Royal City, we will put our guest through his paces, and get him to speak candidly about the issues without any ability to deflect to one of the other six people present, and next week, we’ll do it all over again. Continue reading “Open Sources Show Notes for Thursday September 24, 2015” →

Racism Accusations Chase Mississauga “Stop The Mosque” Effort

Throughout the last several months of the campaign there have been accusations of overt racism from all corners, but sometimes we’re confronted with the more direct kind. This is apparently the case in Mississauga where a simple rezoning meeting seems to have blown up in full display of some of the ugliness of our beloved suburban enclaves. Continue reading “Racism Accusations Chase Mississauga “Stop The Mosque” Effort” →