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?” →

Did That Debate Suck or Did it Blow?

There was a lot of controversy in Stephen Harper’s move to rebut the typical national leaders debates organized by the consortium of major Canadian broadcasters; those in favour said more debates is better, those against said that Harper was trying to avoid being questioned in front of the largest possible audience. After the Maclean’s debate in August there was some reason for optimism, it was well put together, professional, and lent real insight into the leaders and their points of view on the issues. The same, however, could not be said about last night’s Globe and Mail debate. Continue reading “Did That Debate Suck or Did it Blow?” →

May Dares Mulcair to Call Harper’s Bluff on Debates

Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May was at the University of Guelph this morning to announce her party’s platform for post-secondary education and addressing youth unemployment, but being the eve of a debate, the media was interested in knowing more about May’s plans, participating via remote on Twitter. The Globe & Mail and Google, who organized tomorrow’s debate on the economy in Calgary, wanted a “steamlined” debate with just Stephen Harper, Thomas Mulcair and Justin Trudeau, but May is still holding out for hope that she can still play ball with the other leaders in a televised debate, and she dared NDP leader Mulcair to make it happen. Continue reading “May Dares Mulcair to Call Harper’s Bluff on Debates” →

Election Eve Gets Nasty

It was the night before the election call; and all through the house; the parties were warring; and ready to pounce. With Stephen Harper widely expected to visit the Governor-General in the next couple of days to request the dissolution of Parliament, thus starting the official campaign. But on this election eve, the main federal parties are doing all they can to align their forces for what might be the longest, hardest and bloodiest campaign in Canadian political history. Continue reading “Election Eve Gets Nasty” →

May Excluded from Two Federal Leaders’ Debates

The hornet’s nest kicked over by the Conservative Party opening up multiple bidders for leaders’ debates in the upcoming election has had at least one positive effect for Stephen Harper, Green Party leader Elizabeth May has been excluded from at least two debates now, the one hosted by the Globe and Mail and the other a foreign-policy debate hosted by Munk Debates. Continue reading “May Excluded from Two Federal Leaders’ Debates” →

VIDEO – Open Sources’ Interview with Elizabeth May

You may have heard this interview on last Thursday’s Open Sources Guelph, but even if you’ve heard it already, you may now be interested in watching it. As you may recall, Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May was in Guelph a week ago Monday for the nomination meeting to choose Guelph’s candidate in the upcoming Federal Election. Former Environmental Commissioner of Ontario Gord Miller took the nomination easily running unopposed, so the mood was understandably jubilant. The reason? Greens in Guelph, and across the country, are banking on the idea that May’s 2011 victory in Saanich-Gulf Islands will be the first of many more electoral victories in 2015. After the night’s business was done, Open Sources got a few minutes to talk to May about electoral strategy and Green ambitions for Guelph this October. Continue reading “VIDEO – Open Sources’ Interview with Elizabeth May” →

Open Sources Show Notes for Thursday June 11, 2015

Unless our ship comes in, and we help our friend sell that expensive piece of art for a generous finders fee, Open Sources Guelph will be back on the air as usual on Thursday. This week, after sticking our hands in the muck of the Senate spending scandal, we will wax on the coming election as it’s shaping up here in the Royal City. Then, in the “Lightning Round,” we’ll discuss coffee and politics, carding and cops, and the return of an old frenemie thought forgotten in Federal politics. Continue reading “Open Sources Show Notes for Thursday June 11, 2015” →