Canadian Crossing

Elizabeth May is back as the Green Party of Canada leader along with Jonathan Pedneault

The race to become the next leader — or leaders — of the Green Party of Canada will come to a close Saturday evening. https://t.co/xARNRrmcyL

— CBC News (@CBCNews) November 20, 2022

Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss a couple of bosses back. This time, she has a co-leader.

Elizabeth May, along with co-leader Jonathan Pedneault, won the voting to be the new Green Party of Canada leaders. May won the race on the 6th ballot with 4,666 votes.

Just over 8,000 people (36%) of the 22,000 eligible cast a ballot. Almost 24,000 people voted in the 2020 leadership election, with Annamie Paul being the victor.

Having co-leaders requires an amendment to the party's constitution. Pedneault will serve as deputy leader for now. Pednault finished 3rd in the leadership race.

Anna Keenan and Chad Walcott ran as a team; Keenan finished second in the leadership race. Sarah Gabrielle Baron and Simon Gnocchini-Messier ran as individual candidates.

May (Saanich-Gulf Islands) was the only candidate who is a current MP. Mike Morrice (Kitchener-Centre) is the other Green Party MP in the House of Commons.

Amita Kuttner served as the interim leader of the Green Party of Canada from November 24, 2021 to November 19, 2022. They are the first transgender person to lead a federal party in Canada.

Pierre Poilievre wins Conservative Party of Canada leadership race

2022 Canadian politics preview

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage

The new Green Party leadership will have plenty of time to get organised and gain momentum before the next federal election, scheduled to be October 20, 2025.

Twitter capture: @CBCNews
photos and video credit: YouTube/Kelly Green

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

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage

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

Danielle Smith completes her political comeback to be Alberta's premier-designate

Those who have followed Alberta politics or read our past coverage would have difficulty imagining that Danielle Smith would ever be the premier of Alberta. Smith was in a great position to win in 2012 as leader of the Wildrose Party but lost to Alison Redford of the Progressive Conservatives.

As leader of the opposition in 2014, after she stated "there'll be no more floor crossings," Smith was one of 9 MLAs who crossed over to join the Progressive Conservatives.

So how did Danielle Smith win the leadership of the United Conservative Party in 2022, succeeding Jason Kenney as the new premier of Alberta?

In a relatively weak group of candidates, Smith finally got a majority — 53.3% — on the 6th ballot. The difference maker was the proposal for the Alberta Sovereignty Act, which essentially calls on Alberta, well, the government anyway to determine which federal laws will be recognised by the province.

Former Wildrose leader and current MLA Brian Jean was the other major contender. The other leadership candidates were independent MLA and former UCP caucus chair Todd Loewen along with 3 Kenney cabinet members and current MLAs Rajan Sawhney, Rebecca Schulz, and Travis Toews.

Smith will be the 3rd female premier in Alberta history behind Redford and former premier and current opposition leader Rachel Notley (NDP). The 2023 election will be the second time in Alberta history where women run the 2 primary parties.

Smith is not a MLA. You can still be premier and not be a MLA. Christy Clark did so for awhile in British Columbia in 2013.

Smith has a relatively short period of time to make an impact since the next provincial election will be on or before May 29, 2023. Smith said recently that if she won the UCP leadership race, she would not call an early election.

Alberta Wildrose Party comes up smaller than expected

Danielle Smith, Alberta Wildrose Party gain attention for big 'wheels,' not big ideas

Danielle Smith might consider mentioning this part of her history to be not so kind. This is part of why there was a political comeback. This was the introduction to Smith for many people inside Canada and outside the country.

She is a very different politician than Jason Kenney. Smith doesn't mind being the centre of attention. Her efforts since this incident have not gone back to this theme.

Jason Kenney to step down as UCP leader and Alberta premier

Alberta notebook: The legacy of outgoing Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi

Alberta dials back COVID-19 tracking to dangerous levels

The rhetoric of division in Canada reveals a lack of understanding

Jason Kenney, Alberta United Conservative Party launch Canadian Energy Centre propaganda site

Jason Kenney came out aggressively against a potential Alberta Sovereignty Act during the campaign. The concept of the UCP was to unite the right-wing Progressive Conservatives and the very right-wing Wildrose Party. As we've seen, this is easier said than accomplished.

Alberta goes back to its conservative ways by electing the UCP

CanadianCrossing.com Alberta coverage

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage

Following tonight's vote (and swearing-in ceremony), Alberta will be on its 8th premier since 2006.

Only one of them has served a full term: Rachel Notley.#YEG #YYC #ableg #abpoli

— David Boles (@DavidJBoles) October 6, 2022

Smith will be the second female premier of a Canadian province along with Heather Stefanson of Manitoba, who has been in office for almost a year. Neither Stefanson or Smith were elected.

photos credits: Calgary Herald; CanadianCrossing.com
video credit: CBC News
Twitter capture: @DavidJBoles

Quebec selects CAQ for its second term as majority government

Continuons. The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) slogan roughly translates to "Let's go on." The CAQ actually increased its numbers, based on unofficial results from last night's election in Quebec.

François Legault won 89 seats last night, compared to 76 seats at the dissolution of the assembly and 74 seats in 2018. The party took seats from the Parti Québécois in the east and Liberal seats surrounding the island of Montréal. The CAQ took 7 PQ seats and 5 Liberal seats.

Liberal leader Dominique Anglade, in her first election as leader, watched her party fall from 31 seats in 2018, 27 seats as the race began, to 23 seats last night. The Liberal Party dominated the island of Montréal as the preferred party of anglophones but there was very little red outside the island.

Québec solidaire, the left-wing party with Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois with Manon Massé are co-spokespeople, must love the number 10 (Guy Lafleur's number) with 10 seats last night, same as the 2018 election.

The Parti Québécois sank to a new low with only 3 seats, lowest in party history. Party leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon did win his seat; the party had 7 seats at the start of the election cycle, down from the 10 seats won in 2018.

The irony was that the Parti Québécois had a higher vote share (unofficially) than any party outside of the CAQ. The Liberals and Conservative Party, no relation to the federal party, with Éric Duhaime as the leader had similar vote totals yet the latter party didn't win a single seat. The Conservative Party had 1 seat on a floor crossing before the dissolution of the assembly.

Back-to-back majorities solidify CAQ as a powerhouse. https://t.co/2LGj9AHyCo

— CBC News (@CBCNews) October 4, 2022

The Coalition Avenir Québec has a stronger majority despite troubles during the campaign. Jean Boulet, CAQ immigration minister, spoke at a debate in Trois-Rivières and reportedly said,"80 per cent of immigrants go to Montreal, do not work, do not speak French or do not adhere to the values of Quebec society." Hours later, Legault told the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal that immigration above 50,000 per year would be "suicidal" to the province. "If we increase the number of immigrants while French is in decline, it would be a bit suicidal for French."

The Liberals got off to a slow start in the campaign. The fight on Bill 96 wasn't as strong as it could or should have been.

The Québec solidaire lost momentum defending what had been labelled as "le tax orange."

2022 Quebec election preview

Quebec turns to Coalition Avenir Québec to run province

CanadianCrossing.com Quebec coverage

Kateri Champagne Jourdain (CAQ) from the Duplessis riding is the first female Indigenous MNA in the history of Quebec.

Legault said the CAQ elected more women than any other party in history. The party had 40 women win, up 12 from the 2018 election. The Liberals elected 15 women of its 23 seats, down 1 from 2018. Québec solidaire went from 5 women in 2018 to 3 women in 2022. The Parti Québécois had 4 women in 2018 and fell to 0 in 2022.

Exploring the consequences of Bill 96 in Quebec

Looking at Bill 21 in Quebec during a pandemic

Manitoba offers respite for those suffering under Bill 21 in Quebec

We noted when victory speeches feature French in other Canadian provinces. Legault did speak briefly in English, vowing to be the "premier of all Quebeckers." "When I say that Quebeckers form a great nation I mean all Quebeckers, from all regions, of all ages, of all origins."

Difficult to know how sincere that was on the heels of Bill 96 and Bill 21 along with the use of the notwithstanding clause.

Bill 21 should reach the Supreme Court of Canada during this Legault term. We will be curious if there is a more conciliatory path toward anglophones and allophones in the next 4 years.

2022 Canadian politics preview

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage

The Ontario-Quebec comparisons have a few layers. Both were 2022 elections. Right-wing parties that had failing track records on COVID-19 where the population didn't seen retribution. The Nova Scotia election in 2021 turned on handling of COVID-19 among other issues.

Quebec was not as bad as Ontario was but had issues that other provinces avoided. Like Ontario, the Quebec populace wasn't eager to punish the right-wing party in charge for how the pandemic was handled.

The economic insecurity didn't affect either incumbent government.

The big difference: Ontario set a new low with a 43% turnout. Quebec's turnout was down a couple of points yet rested at 64% in 2022.

photo credit and Twitter capture: CBC News

Canada drops all COVID-19 measures at borders as of October 1

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announces the lifting of #COVID19 border measures, including vaccination & testing requirements for all travellers & mandatory use of ArriveCan app. Mask requirements on trains & planes will also be lifted. The changes take effect Oct 1.#cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/pT8Garg9Ed

— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) September 26, 2022

The news has been leaked for a few days but is now official: Getting into Canada will be a lot easier as a travel destination when the month changes to October.

The ArriveCAN app will be optional when the change is made.

This had been a great concern especially for border cities whose officials were concerned because American travelers were much less likely to cross into Canada, especially for cross border shopping. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made things easier for Canadians to shop within the U.S. on quick cross border trips but not the other way around.

Travelers won't have to submit public health information through the ArriveCAN app or website or provide proof of vaccination. There are other provisions that will be dropped.

Canada to finally lift pre-arrival COVID-19 tests for air and land border crossings

U.S. to open border to fully vaccinated travelers starting today

The restrictions led to actions such as the service of the Windsor Tunnel Bus to be suspended. You have an international border, the busiest crossing between the countries. Greyhound went to Windsor before the pandemic but now Greyhound doesn't go to Canada (outside of Toronto and Vancouver from the United States). You couldn't cross on foot on the Ambassador Bridge or the tunnel.

We hope the Tunnel Bus and other suspended service will return shortly after the government's announcement this morning.

For those who criticise us for not being critical enough of the prime minister, well, you should read our border crossings coverage. We appreciate the overall diligence of the Trudeau Government on COVID-19 during the height of the pandemic. We do feel the government has carried on good policies far too long.

Where to visit Canada in 2022

This change affects the sports world in that unvaccinated athletes can travel to Canada as of October 1. The Toronto Blue Jays had to deal with that in terms of visiting MLB players and in the acquisition of the previously unvaccinated Whit Merrifield from Kansas City. The Blue Jays host Boston on October 1-2. The team might not play any home playoff games in the opening round, depending on the playoff seeding.

This is more relevant to the NHL teams that won't have to worry about unvaccinated players playing in Canada.

Ideally, people would be vaccinated in coming to Canada. The issue was that the good intentions produced a policy that made traveling to Canada not worth the hassle.

CanadianCrossing.com border crossings coverage

CanadianCrossing.com travel coverage

The obvious time to make the change would be heading into a travel summer. Hopefully, people can make travel plans to Canada in the beautiful fall and for those who enjoy winter. Our look at where to visit Canada in 2023 is going to be a lot brighter.

Twitter capture: @CPAC_TV
photo credit: me

Pierre Poilievre wins Conservative Party of Canada leadership race

The Conservative Party of Canada had a reasonably orderly process in the latest attempt to pick a leader. No huge delays. No surprise winners.

Saturday night, party members overwhelmingly chose Ontario MP Pierre Poilievre to be their new leader. Poilievre won 68.15% on the first ballot.

With Patrick Brown being removed from the race, former Quebec premier Jean Charest finished second with 16.07%.

Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis, who ran in the last leadership race won by Erin O'Toole, took 3rd with 9.69%. Lewis was the only Black candidate, only female candidate, and the lone social conservative candidate.

Former Ontario MPP Roman Baber, not a fan of the COVID restrictions, finished with 5.03%. MP Scott Aitchison, a former mayor in Ontario's cottage country, had about 1%.

Poilievre has made some unusual enemies in running to be the opposition leader: He promised to fire the Bank of Canada governor and attacked the World Economic Forum. Poilievre said he would forbid cabinet ministers from attending the summit in Davos, Switzerland.

The Conservative Party leadership list has been extensive since Stephen Harper lost the 2015 election: Rona Ambrose (interim), Andrew Scheer, Erin O'Toole, Candice Bergen (interim), and now Pierre Poilievre.

The next federal election should be in the fall of 2024, so Poilievre will have time to make himself known to Canadian voters. Justin Trudeau has been prime minister for 7 years.

The argument, of sorts, is that Scheer and O'Toole weren't conservative enough, while Poilievre doesn't have that concern. The question is whether the party members picked someone who can flip key ridings in Ontario and Quebec. Poilievre has been a strong supporter of the truck convoy protesters earlier this year in Ottawa.

A criticism of the new leader is that he has been a career politician since he was 24.

Erin O'Toole out as Conservative Party federal leader

Candice Bergen has been a long standing conservative MP since 2008. Bergen was a parliamentary secretary to the minister of public safety and minister of state for social development when Harper was prime minister.

Bergen announced last week that she will not run in the next federal election. She had been named Conservative House leader in 2016 and was the party's deputy leader in 2020 under O'Toole.

Pierre Poilievre also wants to defund the CBC

Erin O'Toole wants to do significant damage to CBC Television and CBC News Network

We would love to see a Conservative Party leader who didn't view CBC, especially CBC News, as an enemy. Conservative news outlets dominate the Canadian news landscape. CBC News is only seen as a "threat" because they don't conform to the usual standard in most of Canadian journalism.

Je serai le premier ministre canadien anti-woke.

Aidez-moi à y arriver : https://t.co/ozY29fXrsl pic.twitter.com/75JyEwidx4

— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) August 23, 2022

We aren't trying to pile on the new Conservative Party leader. Just trying to give an impression of the new opposition leader.

One criticism of recent Conservative federal leaders is their not-so-great handling of the French language. Poilievre doesn't have that issue.

2022 Canadian politics preview

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage

The Green Party should have a new leader on November 19 this year. The party has individuals — Sarah Gabrielle Baron and Simon Gnocchini-Messier — running for the leadership as well as dual-candidate slates — former Green leader Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault as well as Anna Keenan and Chad Walcott.

We will have new premiers in Alberta (October 6) and British Columbia (December 3).

photo credit: CBC News
Twitter capture: @PierrePoilievre

Queen Elizabeth II passes away at 96; King Charles III is the new Canada head of state

My statement on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. https://t.co/r24SWShHZE

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 8, 2022

For the first time in 70 years, Canada has a new head of state. King Charles III replaces his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, as the head of state in Canada and other Commonwealth nations as well as the United Kingdom.

"She was our queen for almost half of Canada's existence. And she had an obvious deep and abiding love and affection for Canadians," said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "She was one of my favourite people in the world and I will miss her so."

Trudeau knew the queen when he was a child through his father, then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. The younger Trudeau was the 12th prime minister under the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Inuk leader Mary Simon will be Canada's first Indigenous governor general

Canada seems like an independent country but does have this odd relationship with the United Kingdom. The head of the throne is technically the head of state for several Commonwealth countries. There is a dance of sorts where the governor general (federal) and lieutenant governors (provincial) are representatives of the British throne. They are selected with consult by the prime minister and provincial premiers.

The queen wasn't going to disallow a selection from prime minister and provincial premiers. Like we said, a dance of sorts.

Canada had British governor generals until 1952, just before Elizabeth became queen after the death of her father, King George VI, in 1952. Elizabeth reigned over 13 governor generals from Vincent Massey to Mary Simon.

Louis St. Laurent (Liberal), who was prime minister of Canada from 1948-1957, was the last Canadian prime minister to make such an announcement before Justin Trudeau.

The end of World War II brought a number of significant changes to have Canada be more autonomous from the United Kingdom. The Canadian Citizenship Act in 1947 created the designation of Canadian citizenship. Canadian passports were issued to Canadian citizens, as opposed to British subjects, the following year.

Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent advised Queen Elizabeth II days into her reign in 1952 to appoint Vincent Massey as the first Canadian-born Governor General. Every Governor General before was British; every governor general since has been Canadian.

Elizabeth made 22 visits to Canada as the queen and a single trip while as princess. CBC News anchor Adrienne Arsenault made a remark about an imaginary trip Elizabeth made. 7 of those 22 trips included Toronto.

Her first trip as queen was to open Canada's Parliament in Ottawa in 1957. She was the first sovereign to open Canada's Parliament in person. Her lone visit as Princess Elizabeth was with her new husband, Prince Philip, in 1951. Highlights included a visit to the Calgary Stampede.

Queen Elizabeth II also came to Canada in 1982 to put her signature on the Canada Act, also called the Constitution Act of 1982, making Canada wholly independent.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle living in Canada will be easier by staying fewer than 6 months

Queen Elizabeth II visited Canada more than any other country during her 70-year reign. The hope is that King Charles III will reflect on his mother's heritage in future visits.

The new king could also talk to his younger son Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle about their experiences in Canada.

This feels very #Canadian right now. #20dollarbill https://t.co/VtbJBHjFPo

— Chad Rubel (@canadian_xing) September 8, 2022

Queen Elizabeth II has been on the Canadian $20 bill since the 1954 series, shortly after becoming queen. As Princess Elizabeth, she was on the 1935 series. Her father, King George VI, was on the 1937 series.

The news was quick to point out that the current $20 bills are still good. At some point, King Charles III will be on the Canadian $20 bill. This would also be true when Prince William becomes king.

Canada has changed some other bills to reflect the modern world. The $10 bill changed from John A. MacDonald, the first prime minister to civil rights icon Viola Desmond. There is a push to replace Wilfred Laurier on the $5 bill, possibly with Terry Fox, but we have waited months for that decision to be made.

Canadians can now transact with the new $10 bill featuring Viola Desmond

Viola Desmond to be first Canadian woman on the face of Canadian money

Canada unveils new $20, $50 bills

Watching @CBCNews instead of @CTVNews for death of #QueenElizabethII. Would have been better (for so many reasons) to have @LisaLaFlamme_ in the anchor chair at this moment. #cdnjournalism

— Chad Rubel (@canadian_xing) September 8, 2022

Across all platforms, CityNews will provide in-depth coverage of events commemorating the life of #QueenElizabethII, the Queen's funeral & the transition to #KingCharleslll 🇬🇧@LisaLaFlamme_ leads this coverage from London as a special correspondent💫

🔗 https://t.co/q8HMzxucog pic.twitter.com/cPWk6qWVUt

— Rogers Sports & Media PR (@RogersMediaPR) September 9, 2022

Citytv News consists of local newscasts at 11 pm among its owned-and-operated stations. The Rogers owned network doesn't have a national news operation. Well, they now have a national correspondent, a rather well-known person: former CTV News national anchor Lisa LaFlamme.

LaFlamme will be in London throughout the coverage from Queen Elizabeth II to King Charles III.

Citytv has only a few over-the-air TV stations in Toronto, Montréal, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver. The network has affiliates in smaller cities such as Kamloops and Prince George (British Columbia) as well as Medicine Hat and Lloydminster (Alberta). The network is on cable in Saskatchewan (outside Lloydminster) but only 3 pm-6 am.

Even without a national news presence, Citytv can draw few eyeballs away from CTV with a huge, ongoing news story important to English Canadians.

As for Americans watching Citytv, Blaine, WA might pick up the Vancouver signal. Those in Buffalo, NY might pick up the Toronto station.

Lisa LaFlamme out as CTV National News anchor

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian society coverage

Quebec has always had an uneasy relationship with the British element of Canadian society. Conscription for the draft during World War I and World War II. New citizens having to pledge allegiance to the queen (now king).

It can be shorthand to say Canadians in reacting to the story of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Some French Canadians might care somewhat. Some English Canadians may be displeased with the obsession over the British monarchy.

Twitter captures: @JustinTrudeau; @canadian_xing (x2); @RogersMediaPR
photo credits: CBC News (x2); me

2022 Quebec election preview

Bienvenue to our look at the Quebec provincial election set for October 3. There are 125 seats in the National Assembly of Quebec in Quebec City, the capital. A party needs 63 seats for a majority in the assembly.

Premier François Legault leads the Coalition Avenir Québec looking for a second straight majority government. The CAQ has 76 seats at the dissolution of the assembly, 74 seats from the 2018 election.

Dominique Anglade, former Quebec deputy premier, won a 1-person race to be the leader of the Liberal Party and the official opposition leader. The party had 27 seats, down from the 31 elected in 2018.

Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois with Manon Massé are co-spokespeople of the left-wing Québec solidaire with 10 seats, same as the total from the 2018 election.

Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is the new leader of the Parti Québécois. The party had 7 seats, down from the 10 seats won in 2018. The Conservative Party, no relation to the federal party, has Éric Duhaime as the leader. The party had 1 seat on a floor crossing.

There were 4 independents MNAs at dissolution.

Exploring the consequences of Bill 96 in Quebec

Looking at Bill 21 in Quebec during a pandemic

Manitoba offers respite for those suffering under Bill 21 in Quebec

Bill 96. Bill 21. A number of controversial (legit controversial) bills could certainly be on the ballot in 2022. Unfortunately, the momentum against the bills is more in Montréal and Quebec City than elsewhere in the province. The fact that Bill 21 still has not reached the Supreme Court of Canada and we are in the 2022 election speaks volumes to the molasses-like speed of Canadian justice.

The strategy of such bills may lead to an easy win on October 3. This is where political coverage ends. We believe in politics where people are lifted up, not beaten down because they don't fit a rigid definition of what they should be.

Legault's logic is that if you are against these bills, you are against the French language, francophones, and La Belle Province. We humbly disagree. If you have to use the notwithstanding clause to trample on the rights of citizens, you have poorly drawn legislation.

Quebec handled the height of the COVID-19 pandemic slightly better than their mes amis in Ontario. Like Doug Ford, the voters aren't likely to judge Legault for his actions against the pandemic.

Quebec turns to Coalition Avenir Québec to run province

2018 Quebec election preview

The “cette madame” gaffe, approximately 37 seconds into the Quebec election campaign. https://t.co/AB5P7I6epH

— Les Perreaux (@perreaux) August 28, 2022

A sign of how this campaign might go: In May, the English language leaders debate was called off after 2 party leaders refused to participate: Premier François Legault (CAQ) and Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.

The French language debates are definitely more important in a Quebec election but the English language debates proved useful to those in the larger cities and elsewhere in Canada.

Legault said his party's 5 priorities are the environment, health, education, the economy, and defending Quebec identity.

Anglade said her party will focus on the economy and cost of living, mentioning high inflation, high housing prices, and the ongoing labour shortage.

Anglade objected to Legault's refusal to address her by her name in the "cette madame" mention.

2022 Canadian politics preview

CanadianCrossing.com Quebec coverage

BREAKING: Quebec's 43rd general election officially kicks off today https://t.co/xPg6WSFMqU

— CBC News Alerts (@CBCAlerts) August 28, 2022

The 2022 election may be more a matter of which parties outside of the CAQ can gain strength and momentum in numbers in the National Assembly. Will the CAQ have a smaller majority or even a minority government?

The Liberals will attract non-francophone voters. Their strength is in Montréal and Laval yet needing to win more rural seats. Québec solidaire may be going after some of those same voters.

How relevant will the Parti Québécois be after the 2022 election? The Conservative Party of Quebec has had a lot of talk but hasn't elected a MNA from the party. How much of the party's voice is a reaction to pandemic restrictions and an outlet for racist rhetoric?

The last Quebec premier to win back-to-back elections was Jean Charest for the Liberal Party from 2003-2012. Charest is currently a candidate for the leadership of the federal Conservative Party.

photo credit: @qcgnjustice
Twitter captures: @perreaux; @CBCAlerts

Michelle O'Bonsawin to become the first Indigenous person on the Supreme Court of Canada

Michelle O'Bonsawin will become the first Indigenous person to serve on Canada's highest court, the Supreme Court of Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his nomination for the Supreme Court.

O'Bonsawin is Abenaki from Odanak. She is Franco-Ontarian and fluently bilingual, according to the nomination news release. O'Bonsawin has served as a judge on the Ontario Superior Court of Justice since 2017.

While the court has been more progressive on having women on the court, Prime Minister Trudeau appointed Mahmud Jamal — the first justice of colour — who started on Canada Day in 2021.

O'Bonsawin is the 11th female justice in the history of the Supreme Court of Canada compared to 6 in the United States Supreme Court.

Canada Day 2021: A time for reflection and some celebration

Mahmud Jamal would be Canada's first Supreme Court justice of colour

O'Bonsawin will replace Michael Moldaver, who will reach the retirement age of 75 on September 1. Moldaver, a Stephen Harper appointee, has been on the court since October 21, 2011.

This leaves 3 Harper appointees on the court, though Chief Justice Richard Wagner was a Harper appointee promoted to chief justice by Trudeau. The current prime minister will have 5 appointees on the 9-person court.

Harper's strategy was to pick younger justices who would be able to be on the court for a long time. The next opening of a Harper appointee won't be until October 3, 2030 when Andromache Karakatsanis would have to retire.

Russell Brown, easily the most conservative and controversial of the Harper appointees, could last on the court until September 15, 2040.

Justices can choose to retire before they reach 75. A judge could also be taken in by illness or death. The last justice to die while on the court was John Sopinka, who was a puisne (associate) justice from 1988-1997.

As we've noted, unlike the United States Supreme Court, justices aren't as aligned to the prime minister who picked them.

CanadianCrossing.com Indigenous coverage

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage

Our U.S. readers are used to pages of analysis, where the justices might fall within the current makeup of the U.S. Senate. Such infighting is not part of the Canadian landscape. Pick a responsibly good justice candidate and get them onto the court. Done.

Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau definitely have different thought processes for what should go into the process. 

Also, chief justices get promoted from within and not necessarily selected based on the party of the prime minister. Brian Mulroney picked Beverley McLachlin to be on the court in 1989 yet Jean Chrétien selected McLachlin as the first female chief justice on Canada's highest court in 2000. 

Trudeau appointed Richard Wagner, a Harper appointee in 2012, to be the chief justice in late 2017.

You might also recall that Wagner served in the role of the governor general before Mary Simon was picked as a permanent replacement.

photo credit: CBC News

Iqaluit takes a bold step to require churches to apply for property tax relief

You've likely asked the obvious question: "why are churches exempt from taxes." This could apply to mainstream churches as well as TV preachers and megachurches.

The city of Iqaluit, the capital of the Canadian territory of Nunavut, passed a bylaw that could require churches to begin paying property taxes. The idea is that churches would pay property taxes but then apply for relief from those taxes.

Those applicants must meet a series of strict conditions; the total annual funding for all groups is capped at $300,000.

The "intent of this bylaw is to provide a fair opportunity, to all community-based organizations, to apply for full or partial property tax relief." — in a statement from a spokesperson for the city of Iqaluit.

Pope Francis I arrives in Canada on Sunday for an expected apology on residential schools

The timing would seem to be targeted at the Catholic Church's role in the residential schools. Pope Francis will be in Iqaluit on Friday as part of his tour.

The program will kick in beginning in 2023. Local churches could get partial tax relief or no relief.

Nunavut MP Lori Idlout (NDP) pointed out to Global News that Iqaluit is already struggling to pay for basic services. "It's not fair to the rest of the municipality to have to carry the burden of a faith-based group — that itself is part of the history of colonialism."

While this solution might not go far enough to appease those concerned with the tax break that religious institutions automatically get, the solution works in that those religious institutions have to say how they are helping the community.

As we noted in our preview of the Pope Francis trip, "48 Catholic church entities signed on to fundraise $25 million for survivors as part of a settlement agreement with the term 'best efforts.' Somehow, those 'best efforts' resulted in just under $4 million." Maybe Vatican City can cut a check to the local churches.

Religious institutions in Canada are generally exempt from paying taxes. Iqaluit’s new bylaw, first proposed by the mayor last year, requires churches and other community groups to apply for tax relief.https://t.co/C4ZcYclyRT

— Globalnews.ca (@globalnews) July 26, 2022

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In lieu of the TBS announcement that Full Frontal with Samantha Bee was ending its 7-year run on that cable channel, we fondly think back to a Daily Show moment in 2013. This was around the time of the then-alleged use of crack by Toronto Mayor Rob Ford.

Jason Jones and Bee, real-life married couple, had the setup that all Canadians smoke crack. When Jones asked Bee if she wanted to smoke crack, her reply was "Is Iqaluit the capital of Nunavut?"

The regular writers could not have come up with that joke. Now, some people may think of Iqaluit in a different light.

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Pope Francis is supposed to spend 3 hours in Iqaluit. 3 hours?? That feels like an insult all its own. 

On top of the purpose of this trip, the pontiff could also weigh in on the food insecurity in this part of the world. That would seemingly be at the heart of a leader of a major church in the world. He and his entourage might learn about those concerns if they were going to be there for more than 3 hours. 

photo credit: @CityofIqaluit
Twitter capture: @globalnews