The Canadian Museum for Human Rights opens later this year. According to the mission statement it “will strive to enhance the understanding of human rights, promote respect for others and encourage reflection and dialogue.” Praiseworthy objectives. But what are we seeing so far? In a recent contribution to Christopher Moore’s Canadian History Blog, Mary Stokes ...
Groan! Another book arguing that the British North America Act (1867) called for a “strong central government”! It’s said endlessly: John A. and the Fathers of Confederation wanted a central government that would take the lead in defining the new country but their vision was fatally undermined by the evil Brits who served on the ...
MLI Commentary: Stéphane Dion debating secession /Commentaire IML: Stéphane Dion débat la sécession The Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI) today published a Commentary by the Hon. Stéphane Dion. The text is based on his speaking notes used in a debate at l’Université Laval in Quebec City on September 20, 2010. The topic of the debate, organised by ...
Dennis Baker (University of Guelph) sends this quotation from Donald Savoie’s Power: Where Is It? (MQUP, 2010), pages 72-3. As Baker says: “It’s enough to make your blood boil.” “[In the Secession Reference], the court ruled that Quebec did not have such a right and based its decision on four fundamental rights: federalism, democracy, constitutionalism, ...
I’m completing an e-interview. First question: “What do the words Canada and Canadian mean to you?” I type: “Canada has been my home for seventy-five years. I love it.” Then recalling my scholarly obligations, I add: “Canada is a federation governed by liberal democratic institutions.” I’ve neglected to say anything about the word “Canadian.” But ...
MLI authors Brian Lee Crowley, Robert Knox and John Robson continue to make waves with their call for an Economic Charter of Rights for Canadians. The Windsor Star is the latest Canadian newspaper to agree with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute’s call for federal action on domestic trade barriers. In an editorial today, they comment on MLI’s ...
In a video released today by the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, co-author Robert Knox provides an in-depth look into MLI’s latest study, Citizen of One, Citizen of the Whole. In conversation with colleague John Robson, Bob tells us what an Economic Charter of Rights could mean for all Canadians. He reminds us how our “sense of being ...
In an interview released today by the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, co-author Robert Knox provides an in-depth look into MLI’s latest study, Citizen of One, Citizen of the Whole. In conversation with colleague John Robson, Bob tells us what an Economic Charter of Rights could mean for all Canadians. He reminds us how our “sense of being ...
The Queen of Canada visits. We’re delighted to see her. And then she leaves. It’s odd, isn’t it? Our Head of State resides in a distant land. The French Head of State lives in France. Where else? The Israeli Head of State lives in Israel. That’s the norm. Sure. But remember what the Queen said ...
On June 3, 2010, Erin Weir commented on a paper that I wrote recently discussing the effectiveness of the Canadian government’s efforts to eliminate barriers to labour mobility in Canada. In the process, he makes some puzzling comments about domestic trade and the regulation of workers in Canada. He says that there are no trade ...
