Why is Stephen Harper Campaigning Like Howard Hampton?

Going into the final week of the 2015 election, it seems as though the pressure may be finally getting to Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The Conservative leader was in Kitchener today doing campaign-y things like going to KW-Oktoberfest and taking in a Kitchener Rangers OHL game, but in between that he wanted the voters in a strategically vulnerable area for the incumbent government to know just what exactly a Liberal government, if elected, was going to cost them. To do that, Harper made the unusual decision to become a prop comic at the dawn of the last week of the campaign. Continue reading “Why is Stephen Harper Campaigning Like Howard Hampton?” →

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?” →

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” →

The Great One Not Always So Great on Politics

It was probably a big deal for hockey fans, and for the Prime Minister who wrote a book about hockey last year, but the question is, does the endorsement of Wayne Gretzky for Stephen Harper make any difference? More importantly, can the endorsement of “The Great One” be as valuable as he would like us to think? You may think I’m referring to his endorsement of Patrick Brown for Ontario PC leader earlier this year, but no, we’re talking about someone even most Conservative want to forget about supporting. Continue reading “The Great One Not Always So Great on Politics” →

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?” →

Open Sources Show Notes for Thursday September 3, 2015

Before you kick off for the Labour Day weekend, tune in your radio for the latest edition of Open Sources Guelph. Don’t adjust your set, because the show will sounds a little different this week, but rest assured, the same old political commentary will emerge for your radio this afternoon as the team address the latest hot topics making news across Canada. Continue reading “Open Sources Show Notes for Thursday September 3, 2015” →