Unpublished Cafe

The Israel—Hamas war through a Canadian lens

Since October 7th, the world has been littered with horrific images from the attack by the terrorist group, Hamas on unsuspecting Israelis. The pushback from Israel has been strident and expanding. In the middle are five million Palestinians who have seen destruction of their homes as the Israeli military pursued Hamas. While the violence is half a world away from Canada, there has been a huge uptick in violence and antisemitism here at home.  Our Unpublished Vote question asks:  Do you fe...

Will Canadians go the polls in 2024?

Will Canadians be going to the polls federally in 2024? Will the Grits or even the NDP have a leadership change? Can Canada tackle affordability housing shortages? South of the border, what can we expect in November?  So many questions. But by far the biggest one is whether or not Canadians will go the polls in 2024?  So we ask in our Unpublished Vote question this month: “Do you expect a Canadian federal election in 2024?  Yes No Unsure You can cast your vote on this topic at http://U...

UTV: The NDP’s Future

The New Democrats have come off their latest leadership review, and Jagmeet Singh survives to lead another day. Will it get the party further ahead? Our Unpublished Vote question over the last 10 days asked, “Is the NDP squandering its chance by supporting the Liberals? While the delegates in Hamilton gave Singh 80 % support, our voters saw it differently:  82 % Yes 16 % No 2 % Unsure If you haven't voted yet, you can still cast your vote on this topic at http://Unpublished.vote. Don’t...

The NDP’s Future

Is it time for the Liberal—NDP coalition to pull the plug?  The Liberals don’t mind as they’re still in power, but the NDP, which is propping them up, hasn’t seen much in gains when it comes to the deal? They didn’t ask to form a coalition government with the Liberals, but they seem to be wearing every mistake the government makes.  Is time running out for the New Democrats?  Our Unpublished Vote question asks: Has the NDP squandered its chance by supporting the Liberals in Parliament?  ...

UTV: Chinese Interference in Canada's elections

Did China try and influence two previous Canadian elections? A stunning report from Canada’s spy agency claims that country’s government attempted to interfere in our previous two federal elections but the report also pointed to a lack of concern from the PMO. Prime Minister Trudeau has appointed David Johnston as special rapporteur to investigate the claim. Our Unpublished dot vote question asks, Do you feel there should be a full public inquiry into the allegations of election interference...

Chinese Interference in Canada’s Elections: How deep does it go?

It’s cloak and dagger stuff, the latest dispute between Canada and China.  A CSIS report suggests that China was complicit in trying to influence the outcome of the last two federal elections using money and intimidation.  The report points out, despite the attempt, the outcome of the elections would have been the same.  The head scratcher is why the federal government is not holding a public inquiry into what happened.  Our Unpublished.vote question asks:  Do you feel there should be a f...

Happy Holidays

2022 Year in Review

The curtain will soon fall on 2022, a year that started with so much optimism after two years of Covid restrictions, vaccine mandates and lockdowns. Instead of a rebound to normal, many other issues have risen to prominence during the year.  In today’s show, we look back at some of those events of 2022 and where they may lead us in 2023.  Our Unpublished.vote question is:  What do you feel was the biggest story in Canada this year?  The Freedom Convoy and use of Emergencies Act  Liberal...

Emergencies Act

Canada’s inflation rate in June was 8.1%, something we haven’t seen since the early 1980’s. To cool off the economy, the Bank of Canada has rigorously increased the cost of borrowing which slammed the brakes on our red-hot housing market. The reaction has seen the cost-of-living start sliding down towards the goal of two percent. Currently it stands at 7%. As you sat down for Thanksgiving dinner, you likely noticed it cost you much more than a year ago. The economy is still being roiled by ...

The Emergencies Act Inquiry

The Emergencies Act Inquiry, which probes whether the federal government was able to utilize such powers to bring the Ottawa occupation to an end, has been running for about three weeks now with plenty more testimony to come.  From this vantage point the one thing that is very clear is that no level of government was competent in ending the occupation until the Act was finally implemented. A municipal government that was led by a questionable police force, a provincial government that sat o...

Is Canada headed toward a recession?

Canada’s inflation rate in June was 8.1%, something we haven’t seen since the early 1980’s. To cool off the economy, the Bank of Canada has rigorously increased the cost of borrowing which slammed the brakes on our red-hot housing market. The reaction has seen the cost-of-living start sliding down towards the goal of two percent. Currently it stands at 7%. As you sat down for Thanksgiving dinner, you likely noticed it cost you much more than a year ago. The economy is still being roiled by ...

Is Canada headed for a recession?

Sticker shock at the pumps and the grocery store is the number one concern of Canadians according to Ipsos Research, with 8 in 10 worried that a recession is in the financial horizon. Anyone who has had to fill up or pick up staples at the store has seen their buying power reduced.  The latest inflation numbers peg the cost of living at 7% for August, which is down marginally from the previous month. The Bank of Canada has been aggressive in hitting the brakes on an overheated economy, hiki...

Ottawa Mayoral Election—2022

It’s a laundry list of names vying for the votes of Ottawa residents for the top job in municipal politics in the Capital. Fourteen in all are looking for your vote to put them in the Mayor’s chair for the next four years.  Jim Watson had announced late last year that he would not seek re-election. There will also be a number of new faces around the Council table as many have decided not to run again.  Coming up on the show we will take a look at the candidates running to lead the City of ...

Conservative Party Leadership Contest The Final Weeks

It was a 7-month scorched earth strategy that led Pierre Poilievre to the top spot in the Conservative Party as leader. Can he turn that into a federal election victory? The member from Carleton was first in the race and had an insurmountable lead he would not relinquish. Almost 70 percent of members supported him, giving a first ballot victory. Let’s face it. Poilievre was in control from the outset drawing big crowds and training his eye not only on the other contenders, but of course the...

Can a Pierre Poilievre led Conservative Party win the next federal election?

The day is drawing near for the federal Conservative Party to choose a new leader. September 10th in Ottawa delegates will gather to cast their ballot for the person to lead them into the next federal election, whenever that may be.  Pierre Poilievre has led from the beginning and shows no sign of easing up. Jean Charest is a distant second in the race leaving Leslyn Lewis, Scott Aitcheson and Roman Baber in the dust. Former Ontario PC leader, Patrick Brown was turfed from the contest over ...

Global Recession

The price of everything is at a 30 year high in Canada. Record setting prices at the pump and on grocery store shelves have us clinging to our cash and eliminating all but the necessities. The Bank of Canada has moved with interest rate hikes to cool down the economy.  But this is far from a “Just in Canada” type of thing. So many other dominoes had to fall into place to get us here. Recently, a survey of economists found that half felt Canada was heading for a recession while the other hal...

Who will emerge the next leader of the Conservative Party?

You’d be hard pressed to recognize them as on the same team, but that is the picture before us of the federal Conservative leadership race. Six in all have lined up to present their case as best choice to lead the party into the next election. Will they tack even further to the right?  Hello and welcome to Unpublished TV. It’s been a bare-knuckle brawl in two debates so far. The party reports a record 600,000 party memberships sold, giving those people a say in who will capture the leadersh...

Conservative Party Leadership Contest

With the nasty barbs, the explosive rhetoric and sucker punches to personality, Conservatives are lining up behind six potential candidates to lead them out of Opposition and into the government. Which way will they go?  Animosity is driving the bus in the Conservatives largest leadership race ever. More than 400,000 memberships have been sold according to the Party leadership committee, with the closing deadline today.  Six candidates in all are looking to lead the party into the next ele...

Who will win the Ontario provincial election?

The finish line is in sight for Ontario’s political parties as we round into the last few days of the Ontario election campaign. Which way will the province go?  Boring, bland and blah have been the descriptors of this campaign. Not a lot of fireworks on the campaign trail.  But around it? Severe thunderstorms raked the southern and eastern part of the province, leaving hundreds of thousands in the dark. Factor in the sky-high prices for everything, a war in Eastern Europe and another schoo...

Ontario Election Crystal Ball

Advanced polls are now open in Ontario for the provincial election. And with less than two weeks to go in the campaign two party leaders have been diagnosed with Covid and are isolating. Andrea Horwath and Mike Schreiner are off the trail for precautions. Which way will Ontario go on June 2nd? The final debate was Monday, the last chance for leaders to make an impression and perhaps a knockout punch. This campaign appeared to be a referendum on Doug Ford’s handling of the pandemic. But the ...

Russian-Ukrainian War

Six weeks of bombing and shelling by Russian forces in Ukraine continue unabated. Ukrainian cities lie in ruins while mass graves have been discovered. The town of Bucha is ground zero for the call of “genocide”m which now echoes around the world. Is it genocide?  Canada’s MP’s unanimously approved a motion to call Russia’s attack, genocide. US President Biden and other world leaders have made the same accusation. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said it as well, citing “attacks on Russ...

The Ontario Election

We’re about five weeks out from heading to the ballot box in Ontario. Between now and June 2nd, the candidates will be trudging the sidewalks, knocking on doors, or at least as much as they can in the sixth wave. Will the Province have new leadership on June 3rd?  The last time Ontario went to the polls, the governing Liberals were reduced to a rump party of just seven seats. The N.D.P made gains and became the official Opposition. Midway through the mandate, the pandemic arrived turning ev...

Liberal Budget 2022

This is the first budget after the Liberals and NDP announced their supply and confidence agreement, which would see them prop up the government until 2025. In terms of new spending, this budget comes with much less than previous as Covid support programs come to an end. Just over 31 billion over the next five years. This budget will also see the deficit drop to $52 billion, down half from last year. That windfall comes in the form of higher oil prices and revenues. While the country has mor...

Liberal-NDP Cooperation Pact

The whispers circling around Parliament Hill became louder this week as the federal Liberals and NDP announced a “supply and confidence agreement”, which could keep the Liberals in power until 2025. Will it last that long?  The talks were off and on since January and really ramped up during the Ottawa occupation by the so called trucker convoy. The deal means the NDP will support the Liberals on a number of policies they mutually agree upon. Think dental care and pharmacare. It will also se...

The Russian—Ukrainian War

More than 10 million Ukrainians or 1/4 of the population, have fled their homeland nearly a month after Russia began shelling its neighbor. It has created a humanitarian crisis. While not referred to as a war in Russia but rather a “special military operation”, the aim is to remove the current Ukrainian government.  While most of the West has levelled punishing economic sanctions on Russia, others have stood by Russia’s aggression. Ukraine has made no qualms about joining NATO which Russia ...

Russia's invasion of Ukraine

In the early morning of February 24th the world woke up to an invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Almost 200,000 Russian forces had been congregated along the Russian—Ukrainian border under the claim of “military training”. For some, it was a signal that an invasion was imminent.  Where will it lead the world?  All apologies to those who thought the Cold War was over, but here we are. While Russia has the numbers and firepower, the Russian army is being held back by Ukraine. And, while Vladimir...

Extremism in Canada: Is it on the rise?

Canadians like to think we’re more tolerant, nicer, more welcoming than our American neighbours. The images of racial conflict in the US are prevalent, but when something like that occurs north of the 49th parallel, we’re shocked. Should we be?  The freedom convoy is out of downtown Ottawa but the 3-week occupation is something the residents won’t soon forget. As the collection of truckers made their way across the country, there were rumblings that other groups were using the movement for ...

Extremism in Canada

The 3-week occupation of downtown Ottawa has dissipated. What began as a ‘trucker convoy’ against vaccine mandates was co-opted by some extremists, such as the ones waving the Nazi and Confederate flags. They were dubbed “a few bad apples” among a peaceful protest, which was anything but peaceful. It also shone a light on a troubling aspect of Canada—that extremism is alive and well here. What will it take to stop it?  The world got a glimpse inside the power of extremism during the January...

Can the Conservative Party unite after the Freedom Convoy?

Call it what you will...’The Karen Convoy’, ‘The Freedom Convoy’ or ‘FluTruxClan’, the two week occupation of downtown Ottawa has claimed one political life, that of Conservative Leader, Erin O’Toole, who was ousted as leader of the party when two thirds of his caucus voted to go in another direction.  It will spawn a leadership race for the Tories. Can a new leader stop the party from shooting itself in the foot or unite all the views in the Big Blue Tent?  The so called ‘Freedom Convoy’ ...

Canada and the Russian—Ukrainian Crisis

Diplomatic efforts are doubling up to avoid war between Ukraine and Russia. Will it be enough?  Since November, 100,000+ Russian troops have been stationed along the Ukraine-Russia border for what Russia calls military exercises. Ukrainians are growing more nervous about the prospect of war. Since the 2014 annexation of Crimea, Ukrainians have been dealing with violent insurgencies that have left thousands dead and their homes in tatters.  French President Emmanuel Macron is meeting with R...

Canada and the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict

Canada is home to the largest Ukrainian population outside of the Ukraine and Russia. Over 1.3 million make Canada their home here and they are looking for more from the federal government when it comes to their homeland. Modern day Ukraine came into existence with the collapse of the U.S.S.R, after which it became an independent nation. But, it also has an old nemesis leering across the border. Russia has been building up troops and equipment along its border with Ukraine in what it’s calli...

Beijing Olympics: Should Canada Go?

We’re about two weeks away from the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics in China. Relations between Canada and China are the worst they’ve ever been. China was not happy when the House of Commons declared “Genocide” over the treatment of the Uyghur minority in China.  There is also the “hostage diplomacy” of holding the two Michaels in prison on trumped up charges for three years in retaliation for the house arrest of Huawei exec, Meng Wanzhou. There have been threats and intimidation of Canadians...

Should Canada go to the Beijing Olympics?

It is the pinnacle of amateur sports. In less than one month, those athletes will be competing for their country in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Considering Canada’s sour relationship with China, should this country be sending athletes?  The Winter Olympics come every 4 years, and with it comes Nations cheering on their athletes, who put everything on the line for the opportunity. Canada has joined the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand in a diplomatic boycott of the games. Athletes wil...

COVID: Omicron variant in Canada

Here we are, less than a week before Christmas. So many plans and gatherings. So much to do, so much to see. 2021 was going to make us forget about 2020. Afterall,  the majority are double-vaccinated against Covid-19 and the numbers of infected were dropping. Then just weeks ago, a new variant was uncovered in South Africa and it’s spreading like wildfire around the globe and with it, more restrictions.  The new variant is now the dominant variant with some unique characteristics, one of wh...

Omicron comes to Canada

Well here we go again. Just as double vaccination rates are rising in Canada, so are the number of new cases of the latest variant of Covid-19: Omicron. Will it mean a fifth wave for Canada?    It was discovered in a neighbourhood in South Africa. It was hitting younger people in the largely unvaccinated area. What concerned the epidemiologists was the ability of the virus to spread quickly and to evade protection. How this will impact us, if at all, is yet to be seen, but the federal gove...

UnpublishedTV: Parliamentary Priorities

It’s back to business for MP’s in the House of Commons as the Liberals took the wraps off their agenda with the Throne Speech. The Liberals do carry a minority into the House which means they will need the support of another party to get anything accomplished. The Opposition parties grumbled about the contents and the direction, but with a pandemic still here, supply chain issues costing us on everything and the destruction in B.C. from flooding, there is no shortage of starting places for t...

UnpublishedTV: Mandatory vaccinations for health care workers

They are the “frontline heroes “ of the pandemic. They were also first-in-line to be offered the Covid vaccine when it became available. So, it comes as a bit of a “??? “ when health care workers in Canada are still not rolling up their sleeves.  Ontario and Quebec both had announced mandatory vaccines for those workers, who are after all, working with Covid patients. Now both have backed off saying it would lead to thousands leaving the healthcare sector, and potentially leading it to a co...

Opening of Parliament—The Liberal Government’s Priorities

The House of Commons will resume sitting on Monday, the first time since the Liberals won a minority government in the last election. In between, one of the largest Cabinets ever was introduced by the Prime Minister. That still leaves two months of idle MPs. What are the priorities of this next government?  There’s been a lot of road between the last election and the return of Parliament. The Liberals and NDP appear to be planning on working together on some shared goals, although NDP leade...

UnpublishedTV: COP26-Seeking a climate action plan for the world

It’s the Super Bowl for the Environment. COP26—The UN’s climate change summit has just wrapped up in Scotland. Almost 200 countries were in attendance for the two week convention, along with thousands of demonstrators.  Canada made some bold pledges during the event. Will they make a difference?  A lot of words were thrown around, but will they lead to any concrete solutions to rising sea levels and rising emissions? Some of Canada’s promises were made by the Liberals during the last elect...

Mark Popov: Changing Canada’s Military Culture

Canada’s military has garnered a lot of the spotlight lately, mainly for the wrong reasons. Complaints of sexual harassment and intimidation continue with seemingly no regard for the victims. Former Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan appeared to sit on his hands while decorated members of the military are facing allegations and charges.  Will Canada’s military get its act together?  In searching for a cause to the problems, its best to start at the beginning. In Mark Popov’s case, the beginnin...

Mandatory vaccinations for health care workers

Canadians continue to roll up their sleeves for the Covid-19 vaccine. Booster shots are now available for the those who qualify, and children 5-11 years old will soon be getting inoculated.  So, it’s a bit of a head scratcher why Ontario and Quebec have reversed their decision on mandatory vaccines for health care workers. They will no longer be required to be vaccinated to continue to work in a health care setting. Will this lead to a rise in infections?  Remember when the pandemic set in...

UnpublishedTV: Trudeau’s New Liberal Cabinet

There are some new faces around the federal Cabinet table for the Liberals as the Prime Minister unveiled the “new bench” to lead the country out of the pandemic and toward recovery.  39 ministers in all, including a couple of new portfolios, Emergency Preparedness and Housing. Will this group get the job done?  While the new government signaled it wanted to get down to business right away, it still took more than a month to name the new Cabinet. And this government won’t be sitting in the...

COP26: Seeking a climate action plan for the world

Glasgow Scotland is the host city for COP26, also known as the United Nations Climate Change Conference. The event brings leaders, from around the world together to discuss the impact of climate change and extreme weather, with an aim to finding solutions.  In 2015, consensus was reached to keep global warming below 2 degrees with an aim at 1.5 to avoid a climate emergency. Canada is represented at COP26 with a number of promises made. Will they make a difference?  More than 200 countries ...

UnpublishedTV: Alberta’s Referendum on Canada’s Equalization System

In a year when Canadians were dragged to the polls for an election no one wanted, that got us back to where we started, Albertans were also trudging to the polls for a referendum on the Equalization Program to gain leverage with the federal government.  The results were over 61% voting Yes to remove Equalization from the Constitution. Will it ever happen?  The referendum was a campaign promise by Jason Kenney and the United Conservative Party. Equalization basically distributes wealth to “...

Trudeau’s New Liberal Cabinet

The federal Liberals took the wraps off their new Cabinet following their minority election win in September. Justin Trudeau continued to aim for gender parity in Cabinet despite losing four female MP’s on election night.  There is a bit of strategy to crafting a Cabinet with a number of considerations to consider, regional representation, defeated incumbents, loyalty and success. It’s not an easy thing to do when you know some egos will be bruised.  The purpose is to create a “team” to ac...

UnpublishedTV: The end of the Canada Recovery Benefit

Since the pandemic started in Canada, the federal government has handed out more than $289 billion in Covid-support to Canadians who were affected by the lockdowns and restrictions. There were also income support programs for employers as well as rent subsidies to help affected businesses impacted.  Now the federal government is pivoting to two new, more targeted programs to get Canada across the pandemic finish line. Will it be enough?  The previous support programs are being replaced by ...

Alberta’s Referendum on Canada’s Equalization System

The Canadian Constitution has been taking a beating from the provinces during the pandemic. Ontario uses the notwithstanding clause to get its way on third party election spending, despite their law violating Charter Rights. Then Quebec wanted to change part of the Constitution that applies to it, to declare itself a Nation and to make French the official language of the Province. Not to be outdone, Alberta has jumped in with a referendum on whether it can pull out of the Equalization Progra...

UnpublishedTV: Is Electoral Reform Needed in Canada?

Following our last federal election, which saw the Liberals return to government with another minority, voices have been rising about a more fair and equitable form of elections to better represent all voters. Does Canada need electoral reform now?  In 2015, then Liberal leader, Justin Trudeau said if he won the election it would be the last federal election under the “First Past the Post” system. We’ve had two elections since that claim—both were First Past the Post.  When you look at the...

The end of the Canada Recovery Benefit?

The mantra is clear for most small business operators, “we can’t find people to work because of government subsidies” and it’s hurting their recovery. How true does that ring?  It’s a sight seen many places across the country as lockdowns were eased and restrictions lifted, small businesses were delighted to resume operations. The only problem was finding people to work.  When the pandemic arrived and Canada was shut down, the government filled the financial breach with the Canada Emergenc...

UnpublishedTV: Canada's Next Parliament - Looking Forward

he lay of the land politically has not shifted since the beginning of the pandemic. When COVID arrived, the Liberals had a minority government propped up by the NDP. Fast forward to this summer and the Liberals plunged the country into an election which no one wanted, only to arrive back at the same point, a Liberal minority.  Now, they will have to lay out their agenda with an eye on support from another party. What should be the top priorities of this government?  The Fourth wave of the ...