Canadian Crossing

Canadian film review: Love in the Time of Fentanyl

News will label something as "controversial" such as supervised injection facilities in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. The average person might be frightened at the prospect of that type of facility. Love in the Time of Fentanyl shows us what that world is actually like and why it's unusual, but far better in the opioid battle.

The clinic is run by volunteers who are all too familiar with the opioid scene in that area in Vancouver, as in fellow users. The documentary takes us into the people mourning those who have been lost and saving people, so they are still around.

We don't get so close to the action to see actual drug injections but there is an intimacy to watching people do something highly personal that would never been shown on the late news. Safe injection sites have proven to be necessary in the time when opioids can easily be laced with fentanyl.

The film shows us Overdose Prevention Society (OPS) staff members administer Narcan for those who overdose and save their lives. Sometimes, the efforts are too late.

The unofficial narrator is Ronnie aka Narcan Jesus, a gentle giant who is one of the workers at the facility.

Director Colin Askey gives us the intimacy of startling moments without an all-knowing narrator. Sometimes the decisions you don't make are the smartest choices.

The intimacy can be a bit startling but Askey understands we need to see the reality of that world to see the importance of safe injection sites.

British Columbia decriminalizes some drugs but at a really low threshold

CanadianCrossing.com British Columbia coverage

The film reflected the reality in the time of filming. Now those in British Columbia can carry a small amount of drugs, including opioids, without fear of arrest. This includes opioids, which sadly may have fentanyl in them.

Reducing the stigma and the reality of being arrested gives these people a safer environment for themselves and others.

Love in the Time of Fentanyl is a play on the title Love in the Time of Cholera, a 1985 novel Colombian Nobel Prize-winning author Gabriel García Márquez. The book was later turned into a film that was released in 2007.

Canadian film review: Kímmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy

We don't pair films together, like wine and food. If you want to learn more about opioids addiction, the Elle-Maija Tailfeathers documentary featuring her mother is an outstanding watch. While this is geared toward opioids in Indigenous communities, its solutions are just as relevant in the mountains of West Virginia in the United States.

Speaking of Tailfeathers, the part of Vancouver in this documentary is very close by where her earlier film, The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open, was filmed.

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The beauty of documentaries, such as this one, is the way to see what is talked about in the news and show this to an audience who is curious.

Love in the Time of Fentanyl is a great example of showing us a "controversial" world and humanizing the experience. We suggest you watch the film with loved ones and compare notes after watching the film.

Love in the Time of Fentanyl has run in Canada and is available through Independent Lens on PBS. A reminder to our American readers that the PBS version has censored curse words from the documentary. As we have noted, Canadians are far less concerned over the impact of those words than in American society.

video credit: Independent Lens/PBS
photo credit: Love in the Time of Fentanyl

John Garrett retirement opens the door of opportunity for Vancouver Canucks TV colour analysis

Thank you for everything, John Garrett 💙💚@SNJohnGarrett | @Canucks pic.twitter.com/cxyZHrNqqd

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 24, 2023

John Garrett has been the stable force on Vancouver Canucks telecasts for a very long time. His retirement leaves a gigantic hole on the Canucks TV broadcast crew.

Garrett will do select broadcasts next season but otherwise will enjoy a well-deserved retirement. Maybe golf with former partner Jim Hughson. 

Garrett knew the nuance of local versus Hockey Night in Canada telecasts in ways that Louie DeBrusk will never get.

The primary colour Canucks TV analyst is a great position for those who want to make a move. John Shorthouse is a generous play by play person. Shorthouse and Garrett is shorthand for excellent hockey broadcasting. 

A few names in my head for a replacement:

Jennifer Botterill. Good chemistry with studio work for Rogers Sportsnet and gets to call a few games for TNT. Could see where this doesn't fit into her plans but an intriguing choice.

Patrick Sharp. Canadian NHL player who has done studio analysis for NBCSN and occasional analysis on Chicago TV games for NBC Sports Chicago. Does Sharp want to do that many games for any team?

Drew Remenda. Canadian NHL player back working San Jose games. He had worked Edmonton games for awhile and has Hockey Night in Canada experience.  

Corey Hirsch. Did Vancouver Canucks radio analysis and then left before this season. Has filled in for Garrett in the past on Canucks TV. Would Hirsch want to come back for this?

Jamal Mayers. Has been an occasional analyst on Hockey Night in Canada on Rogers Sportsnet. Might be a bit inexperienced for the Canucks job but should be in the mix. 

Cheryl Pounder. Done studio work for TSN. Don't know how much colour analysis she has done.

Anson Carter. He is more of a studio person for TNT and Sportsnet. Carter has a sharp mind that would do well with colour analysis. This won't happen but a name worth mentioning.

Shane Hnidy. Not saying he would leave Las Vegas and occasional TNT work for the Vancouver Canucks job. He did Winnipeg Jets games so he isn't afraid of Canada.  

Kevin Bieska. He is perfect on the surface. Well-known former Canucks player. Experience with analysis on Sportsnet, though not game analysis. He can be a bit irritating in the studio. A chance to reinvent himself in the Canucks booth could work out well.

Cammi Granato. So having an assistant general manager also serving as a colour analyst would be highly unusual. Granato certainly knows the players. Would also be amusing if ESPN then sent Ray Ferraro (Granato's husband) to cover a Vancouver Canucks game. That is not likely to happen because ESPN+ has only carried a single Vancouver game in the last 2 years (Seattle Kraken initial home opener) and may never cover a game in Vancouver. Ferraro cut back on Toronto Maple Leafs games on TSN4 this season for a lighter schedule. 

Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Greg Millen, and Daryl "Razor" Reaugh have career paths that likely don't include a job with the Canucks. 

NHL the month in preview March 2023

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The Winnipeg Jets did a really healthy search to replace Dennis Beyak, not an easy job. Dan Robertson was an excellent choice to call the Jets games on TSN3. Colour analysis is a different skill set.

If we missed someone, especially with BC or Vancouver roots, let us know in the comments section or tweet us @canadian_xing.

Twitter capture: @sportsnet

British Columbia decriminalizes some drugs but at a really low threshold

Decriminalize. A powerful word that we don't hear much about in North America. For example, the perception is that the Netherlands legalized marijuana for their coffee shops. In fact, marijuana is not legal but coffee shops are permitted to sell up to 5 grams of marijuana to customers for consumption on-site. No takeaway orders.

As of today, Canadians 18 years of age and older in British Columbia will be able to possess up to a cumulative 2.5 grams of opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA within the province.

Note that the total is half of what is the law in the Netherlands. British Columbia wanted a threshold of 4.5 grams but the federal government lowered the threshold to 2.5 grams.

We have noted that the marijuana threshold in Canada, where pot is legal coast to coast to coast, is 30 grams. So the threshold seems higher for the other drugs but that isn't a fair comparison.

The pilot program is in effect for 3 years. You still can't sell drugs though such a small possession marker would make that an odd charge.

The threshold may not matter too much in Kamloops, Prince Rupert, Abbotsford, Fort St. John, Kelowna, and Penticton. The limit may not be as much of a concern on Vancouver Island in places such as Victoria, Nanaimo, Tofino, and Ucluelet.

The key concern is opioids in Vancouver Downtown Eastside. Fentanyl and its analogues were detected in nearly 86% of drug toxicity deaths from 2019-2022, according to the latest report from the B.C. Coroners Service.

Experts say that some opioids users consume more than 2.5 grams in a day, citing the need for a higher threshold.

Your humble narrator is a bit surprised that the program is province-wide, given the significance of Vancouver Downtown Eastside. Then again, opioids use isn't limited to that area. 

Experiencing marijuana tourism in Canada

CanadianCrossing.com marijuana coverage

CanadianCrossing.com British Columbia coverage

While we promote the idea of marijuana tourism, we aren't as excited about the prospect of tourists taking too much advantage. An 18-year-old might find it unusual to be able to possess 2 grams of cocaine while marijuana is still illegal until they turn 19.

The help for opioids users is that they can have a safe supply and not overdose and die. That isn't the same as recreational use. There is also the theory that an American possessing a legal supply might be suspected of trafficking more than someone with a British Columbia drivers licence. 

We will be very curious to see how this pilot program goes and maybe a higher threshold within the 3 years.

photo credit: Victoria Police Department/CBC News

David Eby to replace John Horgan as British Columbia premier

The Alberta United Conservative Party just came off an extensive leadership contest. The British Columbia New Democratic Party had a much lower key, well, lack of battle.

Former provincial attorney general and housing minister David Eby is the premier-designate to replace John Horgan. The only other competitor for the job was Anjali Appadurai, who was rejected following a report found fraudulent memberships had been solicited on her behalf.

There was a voting period scheduled to be as early as November 13 with results around December 3. Like getting handed a present and finding out early what was in the box.

BC Premier John Horgan announced in late June that he would step down before the next provincial election, likely to be in October 2024.

Horgan had been dealing with throat cancer treatments. While Horgan is stepping down as premier, he will continue to be the MLA for the Langford-Juan de Fuca riding.

British Columbia looks like a NDP majority government

British Columbia Saturday, Saskatchewan on Monday: Election results likely to be delayed

2020 British Columbia election preview

CanadianCrossing.com British Columbia coverage

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Horgan is the only BC premier from the NDP to be elected to 2 straight terms. You might recall that Horgan gambled to call an election in the middle of the pandemic. The previous government relied on the Green Party to keep the government in power.

For those unfamiliar with the parliamentary system, this type of transition is fairly normal. Most provinces don't require a new, unelected premier to run soon after winning the race to be the leader of the party in power. Newfoundland and Labrador is a grand exception.

photo credit: CTV News Vancouver

Canadian film review: Everything's Gone Green

Everything's Gone Green could be described as a slacker film and a love story. A film about meaning, money, happiness, marijuana, greed, and the co-star, Vancouver.

Ryan (Paulo Costanzo) is our slacker. Loses his job and girlfriend (Katherine Isabelle) on the same day. His parents think they won the lottery but they didn't. Ryan ends up working for the lottery.

They encourage him to take Mandarin classes "the language of the future" (this was 2006).

Ryan meets Ming (Steph Song) on the beach alongside a beached whale. Ming has a douchy boyfriend Bryce (JR Bourne). Ryan is interested in Ming yet goes to work for Bryce.

Imperfect characters willing to admit they are imperfect. The beauty of Everything's Gone Green is its kindness to the characters, showing their good and not-so-good traits.

CanadianCrossing.com film reviews

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Douglas Coupland gives us a lot in the screenplay, a tapestry of themes throughout the story. The Generation X author has a more subdued story than that novel. Director Paul Fox keeps us engaged in the story.

Mandarin might not be too relevant in most of Canada but Vancouver is a grand exception. The transfer of Hong Kong to China in 1997 changed Vancouver considerably.

Ming's character works on movie sets to make Vancouver look like somewhat else. Everything's Gone Green shows the real Vancouver as Vancouver.

The film has moments of satire but the story turns to be more about Ryan, Ming, and Ming's grandmother. A nice film, not too sweet, that likes the people in the film.

A slacker film that gives you a lot to consider is worth the watch. An independent film that will never be mistaken for an American film. Saw this film years ago and made an impression. Did rewatch the film recently and the feeling hasn't changed.

Everything's Gone Green won the award for Best Canadian Feature Film at the 2006 Vancouver International Film Festival.

video credit: YouTube/stateofmind3471
photos credit: Everything's Gone Green film

British Columbia looks like a NDP majority government

Given the last 2 British Columbia elections, the pandemic election turned out to be relatively boring. The results are leaning in a direction but there are at least 500,000 mail-in ballots still to count and that won't happen soon.

The New Democratic Party was leading or elected in 55 of the BC ridings to 29 for the Liberals and 3 for the Green Party. If this pace continues after the full count, Premier John Horgan becomes the only 2-time NDP premier and the party gets its first majority government since 1996.

The NDP won seats in the Lower Mainland (Vancouver and suburbs) away from the Liberals on election night, based on the current results. The party only needed 44 seats for a majority.

The Liberals under Andrew Wilkinson ran under the idea of getting rid of the 7% provincial sales tax (PST) for a year. The BC HST consists of 5% federal and 7% provincial for a combined 12% rate. Wilkinson had to deal with issues over candidates. A prime example was when Liberal MLA Jane Thornthwaite was caught making sexist comments about NDP MLA Bowinn Ma on a Zoom call. Ma won her riding Saturday night while Thornthwaite lost her seat.

BC Liberal MLA Laurie Throness resigned from the party caucus after controversial statements. The action came too late to take his name off the ballot. Throness said if he wins, he will sit as an independent in the legislature.

Sonia Furstenau — who became Green Party leader just 7 days before the election was called — and Adam Olsen both won their seats. The Greens were at 2 when the election was called. Former Green Party leader Andrew Weaver had stepped down as leader and left the party to sit as an independent. The Greens have reportedly won a third seat, the first on the BC mainland. Jeremy Valeriote is expected to win the West Vancouver-Sea to Sky riding.

The Greens had 74 candidates in the 87 ridings.

Even with the Green Party adding a new MLA to Victoria, the huge loss is no longer being able to directly influence the NDP government as the Greens had done since 2017. This departure will be felt most significantly on environmental issues such as pipelines and other climate crisis concerns.

The 2017 election gave Christy Clark and the Liberals 43 seats versus 41 for the NDP and 3 for the Greens. Clark was unable to form government and the NDP and Greens formed an unofficial coalition. Clark ran an amazing come from behind election in 2013 to beat out then NDP leader Adrian Dix. Clark's Liberals won the election but Clark lost her seat and had to win a by-election to get into Parliament in Victoria.

Clark's 2017 election win is still the only time a female provincial premier won re-election in Canada, even if only for a short time.

British Columbia Saturday, Saskatchewan on Monday: Election results likely to be delayed

2020 British Columbia election preview

We won't know the proportion of vote count for the parties until all the votes are counted. The Green Party has argued for proportional representation as opposed to the current first-past-the-post system. A proposal to switch to proportional representation lost by a 61.3% vote in the 2018 referendum.

The Greens had at about 16% in the vote tabulated on Saturday night but only won 3 seats.

Elections BC is aiming for November 16 to have a complete count of the ballots.

British Columbia transitions power from Liberals to NDP with Greens help

BC elects Liberal minority government for the moment

2017 British Columbia provincial election preview

Canadian politics notebook: Upcoming elections in a pandemic

CanadianCrossing.com British Columbia coverage

2020 Canadian politics preview

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage

We like to track female party leadership in Canadian provinces since sadly there aren't that many of them these days. Sonia Furstenau has been the Greens leader since September. The party's performance was quite solid so Furstenau should remain in leadership. The Liberals will wait until all the votes are counted for a possible change in party leadership.

photo credits: CBC News

British Columbia Saturday, Saskatchewan on Monday: Election results likely to be delayed

The results of the British Columbia provincial election Saturday and the Saskatchewan election on Monday are expected to run into delays in getting results.

There were more than 700,000 requests for mail-in ballots in British Columbia for this election compared to about 6,500 requests in 2017. The province has 3.4 million registered voters.

Elections BC CEO Anton Boegman said the agency would have been ready with electronic voter books and tabulation machines to count the mail-in ballots in October 2021, the original date of the next election. Under current legislation, counting can't start until 13 days after the election, which is Saturday.

For those voting Saturday in British Columbia, polls are open from 8 am to 8 pm, Pacific Daylight Time.

2020 British Columbia election preview

2020 Saskatchewan election preview

Saskatchewan will have a smaller percentage of vote-by mail applications as compared to British Columbia. As of October 15, the province received nearly 63,000 vote-by mail applications with 817,000 registered voters.

The vote-by-mail ballots will be counted in Regina starting 2 days (Wednesday) after the election. The final voting results won't be known until November 7.

For those voting on Monday in Saskatchewan, polls are open 9 am to 8 pm, Central Standard Time.

Annamie Paul is the new Green Party leader in Canada

Monday marks federal by-elections in Toronto Centre and York Centre in the Toronto metropolitan area. Liberals have held these seats; the openings were due to resignations. Newly elected Green Party leader Annamie Paul is running in Toronto Centre. Maxime Bernier, aka the People's Party of Canada, is running in York Centre. That party has 0 seats in Parliament.

Blaine Higgs wins a majority government for Progressive Conservatives in New Brunswick

2020 Canadian politics preview

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The New Brunswick election didn't have these delays. The province only had about 13,000 requests for mail-in ballots with 547,000 registered voters. Paul Harpell, a spokesman for Elections New Brunswick, said about 100 people typically vote by mail. Harpell noted that machines were able to tabulate the votes by late in the evening on election night.

Let's be patient about getting the results. The neighbours to the south should take that same advice. We will report on all these elections as the results are complete.

photo credit: Elections BC

2020 British Columbia election preview

Minority governments aren't meant to last but if any minority government was going to last the whole 4 years, the NDP-Greens combo in British Columbia was that government.

So why mess with that success and call an early election?

Blaine Higgs in New Brunswick had to call an election because his party was in danger of losing control. John Horgan in British Columbia was in good shape with his NDP working well with the Green Party. The BC election will be October 24.

"We can either delay that decision and create uncertainty and instability over the 12 months … or we can do what I believe is always the right thing and ask British Columbians what they think," said Premier John Horgan.

The British Columbia election would have happened in 2021. The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is the "reason" why BC is moving up a year.

The NDP has 41 seats in the legislature, as do the opposition Liberal Party. The Green Party has 2 seats. There are 2 independent seats and a vacant seat. Andrew Weaver was the Green Party leader in 2017. Weaver cited a family health issue in stepping down as the party leader and personal matters for stepping away from the party and serving as an independent. Weaver is not running in 2020. Sonia Furstenau has been the new Green Party leader for only 9 days.

We noted in 2015 of the significant number of cabinet members in the Stephen Harper government not running for re-election. That was after 9 years in federal power. The NDP in British Columbia has 7 cabinet members who are not running for re-election: Carole James, Judy Darcy, Shane Simpson, Michelle Mungall, Doug Donaldson, Claire Trevena, and Scott Fraser. That is not a good sign in an election that didn't need to be called.

Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson is in his first election after becoming party leader in February 2018.

Provincial elections in Canada might not seem exciting to some readers. British Columbia knows how to bring excitement. Then BC Premier Christy Clark had more seats (43-41) in the last election but wasn't able to form government. In the previous BC election, Clark led the Liberals to a comeback victory but didn't win her own seat. Clark had to win a by-election to get back into the assembly in Victoria.

I met with @jjhorgan on Friday and told him he had a stable government. This election is completely unnecessary.

The NDP has chosen the pursuit of power over the health and safety of British Columbians. #bcpoli

— SoniaFurstenau (@SoniaFurstenau) September 21, 2020

The Green Party is powerful enough to make an impact but won't win power on its own. Sonia Furstenau has little chance of becoming the only current female provincial premier in Canada. British Columbia is the only province to technically re-elect a female premier in Christy Clark.

Premier Horgan is gambling on the province's strong response to COVID-19 in a drive to get a majority government. Horgan would be the first NDP leader ever re-elected in the province with a victory next month.

British Columbia transitions power from Liberals to NDP with Greens help

BC elects Liberal minority government for the moment

2017 British Columbia provincial election preview

British Columbia COVID-19 updates normally feature chief medical officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix. The updates won't feature Dix during the campaign. This is how non-political the updates are in Canada. During elections, there are separations since the politicians are in campaign mode so they can't be seen as participating in activities that mix incumbency with politics.

The New Brunswick election turned out well for the party in power, the Progressive Conservatives. Higgs took advantage of an inexperienced opposition leader. New Brunswick's COVID-19 response was even better than the one in British Columbia. The other parties in New Brunswick weren't going to support the government. The Greens in British Columbia were willing to support the provincial government.

Normally, an election at this time in the province could mean political ads during Vancouver Canucks games. The new NHL season won't be starting until well after the election.

Vancouver is a large city, a new experience in the pandemic elections. New Brunswick's largest cities — Moncton, Fredericton, Saint John — are all smaller than Halifax, which is way smaller than Vancouver.

For those who aren't familiar with British Columbia politics, the Conservative Party isn't a factor. As a BC friend told me once, the Liberals in BC are the conservatives.

Blaine Higgs wins a majority government for Progressive Conservatives in New Brunswick

New Brunswick is calling a provincial election in a pandemic

Canadian politics notebook: Upcoming elections in a pandemic

CanadianCrossing.com British Columbia coverage

2020 Canadian politics preview

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage

Meanwhile Saskatchewan is watching all of this unfold for the province's scheduled election on October 26. Now that election will be the 3rd provincial election in 2020.

photo credit: CBC
Twitter capture: @SoniaFurstenau

British Columbia and Alberta getting the smoke from U.S. West Coast wildfires

Americans aren't allowed to cross into Canada on the ground. The restrictions don't apply to American smoke coming from wildfires in Washington, Oregon, and California. While the smoke stretches far into Canada, British Columbia and Alberta are getting the brunt of the smoke. The map (above) covered affected areas as of Monday in British Columbia.

We've seen the horrible damage caused by the wildfires.

Western Canada has had its share of wildfires in recent years. Some of that smoke did creep over the border into Washington state. The 2020 wildfires have produced a lot more cross-border smoke damage.

Sports have been affected by the smoke. The MLB Seattle Mariners had to forego home games in Seattle to play the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, which had eerie red skies recently due to the impact of the wildfires.

We saw proof of the smoke from the U.S. wildfires during the Montréal Impact MLS game at BC Place against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The game got hydration breaks at the 30th and 76th minutes because of the poor air quality. The teams play again tonight at BC Place.

The air quality is also a concern with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic for those with breathing issues, especially among the immuno-compromised. The air quality statements from Environment Canada urged people to remain indoors.

Kamala Harris, Jackie Robinson, and their association with Montreal

Looking back at when Joe Biden was in Canada

Obama Canadian Parliament speech needs to ignite significant growth in the bilateral relationship

Three Amigos summit comes to Ottawa

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage

holy smokes! we are covered in smoke today🔥 hope everyone effected by these vicious wildfires is safe or has found a safe place to go. #canmore #banff #wildfires2020 @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/zyaGtkawx8

— Mariam Bocari (@MariamBocari) September 13, 2020

Climate change and the impact of wildfires would be a great topic for a Three Amigos summit with Canada, United States, and Mexico. The discussion format was alive in 2016 but hasn't been followed up since January 2017. The countries built up acrimony in negotiating what turned out to be NAFTA 2.0.

The latest chapter of U.S. tariffs against aluminum came to a temporary end after Canada was about to impose retaliatory tariffs. The U.S. got those tariffs for weeks before any response. Those retaliatory tariffs need to be instantaneous.

We would love the Schengen model in the European Union to be used elsewhere on the planet. Cooperation between countries on a continent where every country sees a benefit would be helpful in ways that don't stop at the border, such as smoke from wildfires.

The water quality of the Great Lakes is another good example. 4 of the 5 Great Lakes are bordered by Canada and the United States.

For Canadians interested in the process and for Americans living in Canada, the first presidential debate is 13 days away on September 29 in Cleveland with Chris Wallace as the moderator.

The other presidential debates will be October 15 in Miami with Steve Scully as moderator and October 22 in Nashville with Kristen Welker as moderator.

The lone vice presidential debate will be October 7 in Salt Lake City with Susan Page as moderator.

Don't hold your breath on Canada being mentioned in the debates.

Canadians can watch the debates on any over-the-air U.S. network and likely on CBC News Network and CTV News Channel.

We had hopes for the Party Lines podcast with its variation Party in the U.S.A. However, the content so far seems annoyingly centrist/neutral. Hoping Elamin Abdelmahmoud broadens the coverage to reflect the current reality.

photo credit: Environment Canada
Twitter capture: @MariamBocari

Canadian politics notebook: Chrystia Freeland adds another first to her portfolios

It is both an honour and a privilege to be named Canada’s first female Minister of Finance. I am eager to continue our govts work of helping 🇨🇦s from coast to coast to coast get back on their feet. Together, we will ensure Canada’s economy bounces back from these difficult times.

— Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) August 18, 2020

Chrystia Freeland was already the deputy prime minister and intergovernmental affairs minister in Canada when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked Freeland to become the new finance minister.

Freeland will drop the intergovernmental affairs portfolio: Dominic LeBlanc will take over as intergovernmental affairs minister. LeBlanc had the intergovernmental affairs portfolio along with Northern Affairs and Internal Trade from July 2018 until November 2019.

Freeland has also had the foreign affairs and international trade portfolios.

Freeland is the first female finance minister in Canadian history. She succeeds Bill Morneau, who resigned as finance minister and MP for Toronto Centre over the WE charity scenario. A reminder that declaring conflicts of interest is always better. A scandal, perhaps, but still not as bad as finding out your chief of staff writing a $90,000 personal cheque to pay off a sitting Canadian senator to cover up an alleged crime. How Nigel Wright wasn't charged with a crime is still befuddling.

Kim Campbell briefly was prime minister as Brian Mulroney got in the lifeboat that was the sinking Mulroney Government. Freeland might be prime minister someday. She will be well qualified if that happens.

Senate finally passes gender-neutral O Canada bill

Julie Payette will be the new Governor General of Canada

Julie Payette was an ideal pick for governor general on the surface. A French-Canadian woman, an astronaut and scientist, Payette checked off a few boxes.

A governor general does have to understand that living in Rideau Hall that parts of the house are open to the public. The Trudeau family is living elsewhere on the campus since 24 Sussex Street has a number of serious issues. Privacy is a sacrifice a governor general needs to make.

The governor general has come under fire for bullying the employees under her, making demands for costly renovations for Rideau Hall, where she still has not moved into after 3 years in office, extra RCMP officers because she tries to evade them on trips, and costs due to last-minute trips.

Gov. Gen. Julie Payette engulfed in controversy (Front Burner CBC Radio)

Governor General's disregard for RCMP security detail driving up costs, sources say (CBC News)

A governor general term is usually 5 years, though we saw Stephen Harper extend David Johnston's time by an extra 2 years. Payette has been governor general since October 2, 2017.

The governor general is the one who decides whether Parliament can be prorogued. This was crucial this week when Payette gave permission to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to prorogue Parliament until September 23.

Proroguing Parliament means temporarily suspending Parliament. For a historical proroguing that was much more serious, recount The Daily Show with Jon Stewart take from 2008.

The governor general is the representative of Queen Elizabeth II, but this saga is a Canadian issue. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland went out of her way to praise the office but not Payette when questioned in a recent interview.

A Canadian governor general has never had to be replaced before. We have noted in the past that the governor generals have been Canadian only since 1952.

We need young people to understand that now is not the time to go to large parties. @VancityReynolds & @Sethrogen - please help spread the message to stop the spread of #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/u9SodpRnxu

— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) August 12, 2020

“I hope young people in B.C. don’t kill my mom frankly. Or David Suzuki. Or each other. Let’s not kill anyone. That’s reasonable.”

Ryan Reynolds gave that message in response to British Columbia Premier John Horgan seeking help with COVID-19 cases stemming from young people more concerned about partying.

Both Reynolds and Seth Rogen replied positively online to Horgan's request.

Famous Canadians known to people in the United States are usually without a place tied to that person. Reynolds and Rogen aren't the only famous British Columbians but have obvious ties to the region.

Deadpool was filmed in Vancouver. We recently noted that Rogen took David Chang around Vancouver for an episode of the Netflix series Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

The BC COVID-19 numbers have been stellar but that is also due to concern when even a few cases come up.

Horgan runs a minority government in BC. Unlike his New Brunswick counterparts, that government is about as smooth a minority government as we've seen. This doesn't mean a perfect government, just one where the parties get along fairly well.

2020 Canadian politics preview

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage

Today is the postal deadline for the 2020 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election. We will have the results when the party knows.

Late August is normally a slow time in politics. Since we can't go anywhere, we will be on top of Canadian politics, provincial and federal.

Twitter captures: @cafreeland; @jjhorgan
photo credit: CBC News