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Articles by Robin V. Sears
Opinion | You’d have to go back more than 100 years to find a prime minister who did what Mark Carney’s done
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Opinion | You’d have to go back more than 100 years to find a prime minister who did what Mark Carney’s done
No two countries have a more asymmetrical relationship than Canada and the United States. Canada used to love most things American: movies, music, pop culture. America used to mostly ignore us. We used to sneer at their social and political frailties: racism, deep pockets of poverty, a corrupt and decaying electoral system, a mounting crisis of gun violence. A jewel of Canadian film, “My American Cousin,” by Peter O’Brian, captures the contradictions beautifully.
Opinion | This is a rare moment for hope in the Middle East
State AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyomingPuerto RicoUS Virgin IslandsArmed Forces AmericasArmed...
Opinion | A warning to Alberta: referendums leave wreckage in their wake
Important referendums are usually defeated. But successful or not, they always divide families, communities and nations. The wreckage stems from the high emotion, the purely polemical arguments and, most often, the nasty personal attacks that are part of a referendum circus. Canada, like most advanced democracies, has held very few referendums.
Opinion | Whatever his flaws, this is the reason we should be grateful for Mark Carney
The world is wracked by rising military and economic conflict. Yet we have few leaders competent to lead their nations through this maelstrom. Emmanuel Macron may be one but he is months away from retirement. New Japanese Prime Minster Sanae Takaichi may be another but has yet to be tested. Americans may soon be left in the hands of J.D. Vance, a political weather vane with a total of three years political experience.
Opinion | Whatever his flaws, this is the reason we should be grateful for Mark Carney
The world is wracked by rising military and economic conflict. Yet we have few leaders competent to lead their nations through this maelstrom. Emmanuel Macron may be one but he is months away from retirement. New Japanese Prime Minster Sanae Takaichi may be another but has yet to be tested. Americans may soon be left in the hands of J.D. Vance, a political weather vane with a total of three years political experience.
Opinion | Whatever his flaws, this is the reason we should be grateful for Mark Carney
The world is wracked by rising military and economic conflict. Yet we have few leaders competent to lead their nations through this maelstrom. Emmanuel Macron may be one but he is months away from retirement. New Japanese Prime Minster Sanae Takaichi may be another but has yet to be tested. Americans may soon be left in the hands of J.D. Vance, a political weather vane with a total of three years political experience.
Opinion | Canadians’ trust has been shattered. Here is how it can be rebuilt
One voter expectation trumps all others today: trust. You can be charismatic, intelligent, a good orator and attractive, but if voters don’t feel confident that you are worthy of their trust, go home. Trust has always been an important attribute on the list of political virtue. It has risen in importance as voters’ feel increasingly like their politicians have simply conned them over and over.
Donald Trump may soon start to look weak. Will that prompt Mark Carney to make an early election call?
The opposition parties were all trumped, as it were, in last year’s election. They may well face the same fate again this year as talk of an election call in Canada grows. If an election does occur, Donald Trump’s continued raft of threats, insults and incoherent rants is a gift to the Liberals. His behaviour underlines the threat he represents — and the need for a strong and effective Canadian prime minister to challenge him. Barring unforeseeable events, Mark Carney owns that card.
Donald Trump may soon start to look weak. Will that prompt Mark Carney to make an early election call?
The opposition parties were all trumped, as it were, in last year’s election. They may well face the same fate again this year as talk of an election call in Canada grows. If an election does occur, Donald Trump’s continued raft of threats, insults and incoherent rants is a gift to the Liberals. His behaviour underlines the threat he represents — and the need for a strong and effective Canadian prime minister to challenge him. Barring unforeseeable events, Mark Carney owns that card.
Donald Trump may soon start to look weak. Will that prompt Mark Carney to make an early election call?
The opposition parties were all trumped, as it were, in last year’s election. They may well face the same fate again this year as talk of an election call in Canada grows. If an election does occur, Donald Trump’s continued raft of threats, insults and incoherent rants is a gift to the Liberals. His behaviour underlines the threat he represents — and the need for a strong and effective Canadian prime minister to challenge him. Barring unforeseeable events, Mark Carney owns that card.
Robin V. Sears: Donald Trump may soon start to look weak. Will that prompt Mark Carney to make an early election call?
The opposition parties were all trumped, as it were, in last year’s election. They may well face the same fate again this year as talk of an election call in Canada grows. If an election does occur, Donald Trump’s continued raft of threats, insults and incoherent rants is a gift to the Liberals. His behaviour underlines the threat he represents — and the need for a strong and effective Canadian prime minister to challenge him. Barring unforeseeable events, Mark Carney owns that card.
Robin V. Sears: Canada’s progressives need to rethink the green reality Original
Challenged by many Liberals, New Democrats, and a wide swathe of Canadians, to defend his softening on fossil fuels, especially liquid natural gas (LNG), one might forgive Prime Minister Mark Carney for saying to himself, or even out loud, “Because its 2025, not 2015!” The year of Justin Trudeau’s first election victory, followed by the Paris agreement on climate, was an ebullient moment for Canadian green progressives. The United States had finally moved to sanity on climate.
Robin V. Sears: It is time for Canada to make an auto deal with China? Original
In 1973, not many Canadians fell in love with a newly launched car that resembled a large toaster and had about the same horsepower. But it was extraordinarily cheap and matched many larger U.S. luxury cars in skilful engineering and reliability. In its first year it found only 747 customers, though. Three years later, the Honda Civic was the bestselling import in Canada. Price was a factor — $2,150 — but only one.
Mark Carney restores the mastery of networking and relationship-building with First Ministers’ meeting
Premier Doug Ford’s transformation from angry scowling populist to smiling, collaborative statesman now seems complete. He made an astonishing declaration this week. Coming out of the First Ministers’ meetings, he launched into an earnest lecture to Canadians on the essential task, in politics, of building strong trusting relationships, even with opponents.
Trudeau is out. Time for an economic wartime leader
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Justin Trudeau is out. Time for an economic wartime leader
Wars turn the tables in democratic elections. No one would have chosen Winston Churchill to lead in peace time, yet he became the 20th century’s iconic war leader. We are witnessing a new form of war: relentless attacks on our economy and threats to our sovereignty. And U.S. President Donald Trump’s rhetoric increasingly threatens the use of force. You may not forgive Ontario Premier Doug Ford for his divisive and ethically dubious politics.
Trudeau is out. Time for an economic wartime leader
Wars turn the tables in democratic elections. No one would have chosen Winston Churchill to lead in peace time, yet he became the 20th century’s iconic war leader. We are witnessing a new form of war: relentless attacks on our economy and threats to our sovereignty. And U.S. President Donald Trump’s rhetoric increasingly threatens the use of force. You may not forgive Ontario Premier Doug Ford for his divisive and ethically dubious politics.
India will pay heavily for deliberately crossing a red line
One of the most challenging decisions any government leader must take urgently, often in a moment of crisis, with insufficient information, is to reveal a serious national security threat. When it involves activity by the government of a allied nation, it can be excruciating. As we are discovering, India has for many years ordered killing, or at least indulged its intelligence agency in spying on, harassing, and threatening citizens of many nations whose heritage is in India.
India will pay heavily for deliberately crossing a red line
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Robin V. Sears: India will pay heavily for deliberately crossing a red line in nations across the globe
One of the most challenging decisions any government leader must take urgently, often in a moment of crisis, with insufficient information, is to reveal a serious national security threat. When it involves activity by the government of a allied nation, it can be excruciating. As we are discovering, India has for many years ordered killing, or at least indulged its intelligence agency in spying on, harassing, and threatening citizens of many nations whose heritage is in India.
Robin V. Sears: Would Trudeau stepping down trigger another Liberal civil war?
Justin Trudeau’s determination to stay the leader of the federal Liberal Party — and, of course, prime minister — is more than ego. He is probably worried about the eruption of a second Liberal civil war. Until the sudden explosion of Pierre Trudeau into leadership in the 1960s, the party was a model of unity. For more than 50 years, Liberals presented a smiling portrait of a party united. That ended with the first Trudeau’s election. Liberals were always far from homogenous ideologically.
Robin V. Sears: Would Justin Trudeau stepping down trigger another Liberal civil war?
Justin Trudeau’s determination to stay the leader of the federal Liberal Party — and, of course, prime minister — is more than ego. He is probably worried about the eruption of a second Liberal civil war. Until the sudden explosion of Pierre Trudeau into leadership in the 1960s, the party was a model of unity. For more than 50 years, Liberals presented a smiling portrait of a party united. That ended with the first Trudeau’s election. Liberals were always far from homogenous ideologically.
Would Trudeau stepping down trigger another Liberal civil war?
Justin Trudeau’s determination to stay the leader of the federal Liberal Party — and, of course, prime minister — is more than ego. He is probably worried about the eruption of a second Liberal civil war. Until the sudden explosion of Pierre Trudeau into leadership in the 1960s, the party was a model of unity. For more than 50 years, Liberals presented a smiling portrait of a party united. That ended with the first Trudeau’s election. Liberals were always far from homogenous ideologically.
In 48 hours, Kamala Harris became an unprecedented political lightning bolt. Is there a lesson for Justin Trudeau’s Liberals?
It is rare that one event can upend an entire political landscape overnight. But it happened at 1:45 on a Sunday afternoon in Delaware. Mindful that every campaign exaggerates its wins and discounts its failures, consider these statistics about U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, who become the Democratic frontrunner on Sunday to replace President Joe Biden on this year’s Democratic ticket. Already a Subscriber? Sign in • She has raised more than $100 million in 48 hours. A sum never before seen.
Is democracy dying? Voters around the world are giving us reason to hope
Democracy isn’t dead. It isn’t even dying. It was common late last year among the “chicken little” pundits to predict, in their year-end pieces, that 2024 was the year that liberal democracy would be forced to its knees. India, Indonesia, an array of European countries would all see a triumphant ride to victory by autocratic leaders, given the growth of right-wing populism and/or racism or good old corruption. It didn’t happen. Already a Subscriber?
Don't fall for Pierre Poilievre's rants that Canada is broken
These are bitter days for those who believe in the essential role of a healthy American democracy on the global stage. Bitter, too, for a large majority of Americans. For the rest of the world, terrifying.
Don’t fall for Pierre Poilievre’s rants that Canada is broken — it’s an insult to Canadians
These are bitter days for those who believe in the essential role of a healthy American democracy on the global stage. Bitter, too, for a large majority of Americans. For the rest of the world, terrifying. Already a Subscriber? Sign in For those who cannot digest America’s often irritating arrogance, excesses and even humiliating mistakes, there is one unavoidable reality they must face.
Don’t fall for Pierre Poilievre’s rants that Canada is broken — it’s an insult to Canadians
These are bitter days for those who believe in the essential role of a healthy American democracy on the global stage. Bitter, too, for a large majority of Americans. For the rest of the world, terrifying. Already a Subscriber? Sign in For those who cannot digest America’s often irritating arrogance, excesses and even humiliating mistakes, there is one unavoidable reality they must face.
Robin V. Sears: Brian Mulroney quick to share his top advice, although it wasn't always taken
To incoming prime ministers Brian Mulroney would always say you have two priorities, above all else: the nation’s security and your relationship with the president of the United States. He devoted dozens of hours schooling Prime Minister Justin Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland on coping with a deeply psychologically unstable Donald Trump. They listened and saved NAFTA. Already a Subscriber?
Robin V. Sears: Our political parties have let their foundations rot
Political parties are normally conservative about their internal rules and processes. There is one exception: when a competitor makes an apparently successful big change in how it is led. Then all the others jump to copy it. The "tyranny of delegated conventions," was condemned as anti-democratic, smoky backrooms by the Reform Party in the '80s. Far more democratic to allow "one member, one vote." They ignored that we live in a representative democracy.
Our political parties have let their foundations rot
Political parties are normally conservative about their internal rules and processes. There is one exception: when a competitor makes an apparently successful big change in how it is led. Then all the others jump to copy it. The "tyranny of delegated conventions," was condemned as anti-democratic, smoky backrooms by the Reform Party in the '80s. Far more democratic to allow "one member, one vote." They ignored that we live in a representative democracy.
Letter from Hong Kong: The Limits of Democracy (China’s Version)
Canvassing in Tin Hau for Hong Kong’s first, China-controlled ‘patriots-only’ District Council election, on December 10, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Robin V. Sears December 14, 2023 HONG KONG — As the Beijing-imposed “patriots-only”, opposition-free District Council elections here in Hong Kong proved this week, voters won’t vote if you make a mockery of their franchise.
When war fever seizes the world, restrain your rhetoric
Progressives have a hard time when the Middle East explodes. There is a scripted progression to how each war unfolds. Palestinian terrorists attack, Israel launches a massive counter-attack, killing many civilians, third parties then negotiate a ceasefire. The world then relaxes until the next disaster. Progressives around the world always fall into the same trap, denouncing Israel, often using angry over-heated rhetoric, until they are silenced by a furious reaction to their foolishness.
Robin V. Sears: When war fever seizes the world, restrain your rhetoric
Progressives have a hard time when the Middle East explodes. There is a scripted progression to how each war unfolds. Palestinian terrorists attack, Israel launches a massive counter-attack, killing many civilians, third parties then negotiate a ceasefire. The world then relaxes until the next disaster. Progressives around the world always fall into the same trap, denouncing Israel, often using angry over-heated rhetoric, until they are silenced by a furious reaction to their foolishness.
Robin V. Sears: The slippery slide from democracy to fascism
The risks of right-wing populism drifting further right into white supremacy and worse, are often pooh-poohed. “Not in Canada, surely?” The antisemitic online threats to Jewish organizations in the wake of the latest eruptions of savagery in Israel and the occupied territories is surely a warning bell.
Robin V. Sears: Quebecers and climate change are Conservatives biggest barriers from power
Canadian Conservatives sempiternal flaw has always been support in Quebec, the province in which they held their Barnum and Bailey convention last weekend. For much of the 19th and 20th centuries the party was seen as pro-prairie, anglophone, protestant, and occasionally — in the conscriptions crises, for example — as anti-Catholic, anti-Francophone and anti-Quebec.
The best way to connect with Albertans is through personal bridge-building
Sadly, Alberta was borne out of grievance and in perpetual victimhood more than a century ago. No matter what the objective circumstances in recent years — that it is the richest Canadian province in Canada by a country mile — its politicians have campaigned on and governed according perpetual victimization by Ottawa, unions, environmentalists and treacherous rich American foundations. Already a Subscriber?
The Foolishness of Political Ageism
|In Uncategorized, September-October 2023 President Biden announces the revival of the Beau Biden Cancer Moonshot, February 2, 2022/White House image After eight years as vice president, Joe Biden was not a man who came to the presidency with a preponderance of low-hanging incrimination fruit for his opponents to pluck, which gives the question of his age greater traction in the propaganda sphere. Policy Contributing Writer and strategic elder Robin Sears settles it once and for all. Robin V.
Voters must take a stand and defend their cities against Queen’s Park and Ottawa
We have returned to the days when cities drove nations’ growth — and often its politics. Rome, Paris, London set their own laws, taxes and borrowing. Today, cities are the centres of commerce and innovation, yet they are not permitted to borrow, or fight for that right. Canada governs cities as villages who must pay tribute to the two “senior” levels of government.
Voters must take a stand and defend their cities against Queen’s Park and Ottawa
We have returned to the days when cities drove nations’ growth — and often its politics. Rome, Paris, London set their own laws, taxes and borrowing. Today, cities are the centres of commerce and innovation, yet they are not permitted to borrow, or fight for that right. Canada governs cities as villages who must pay tribute to the two “senior” levels of government.
Raising Canada’s Defence Spending Game to Meet the 2% Pledge
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the NATO Summit in Vilnius on July 11/Adam Scotti Robin V. Sears July 30, 2023 My late grandfather, the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) MP Colin Cameron, was barely seventeen when a German mortar blew his best friend’s head all over him. The experience was so traumatic it made him resolute to never discuss his painful war years. (I know the story only from a private diary he bequeathed.) It also made him a powerful critic of war, and of defence spending.
My late grandfather, the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) MP Colin Cameron, was barely seventeen when a German mortar blew his best friend’s head all over him. The experience was so traumatic it made him resolute to never discuss his painful war years. (I know the story only from a private diary he bequeathed.) It also made him a powerful critic of war, and of defence spending. As a politician, he denounced the Spanish Civil War, the Korean War and the war in Vietnam.
Opinion | Mayoral byelection: What has happened to Toronto’s Tories?
“Red Toronto” was once a common slur hurled at the city by disgruntled conservatives at their party’s failure to gain any traction with voters in Canada’s largest city. In the Mulroney and Harper years, they did establish footholds in the city, now those are crumbling. Understanding the scale of Toronto and its ever shifting demographics, should make the mayoralty results even more troubling to Tories and indeed even to some Blue Liberals.
Character trumps credentials when looking for Toronto’s next mayor
If you have interviewed many candidates in recruitment or in politics you probably came anyway with this insight: character should always outweigh credentials. Character is usually strengthened over time and has meant showing great courage against long odds. In politics character is often revealed by supple coalition-building skills and the ability to maintain a sharp focus, in the face of noise on all fronts.
Opinion | Character trumps credentials when looking for Toronto’s next mayor Original
If you have interviewed many candidates in recruitment or in politics you probably came anyway with this insight: character should always outweigh credentials. Character is usually strengthened over time and has meant showing great courage against long odds. In politics character is often revealed by supple coalition-building skills and the ability to maintain a sharp focus, in the face of noise on all fronts.
Justin Trudeau imperils his career with continued bad judgment
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has consistently shown poor judgment. From his blackface performances in his youth — remember that was in the 1990s not the 1950s — to believing that no one could object to his using the Aga Khan’s helicopter to take his family to a private island, to his decision to duck a public inquiry on unacceptable interference with the lives of Canadians and their democracy by the egregious Chinese Communist Party.
Opinion | Trudeau imperils his career with continued bad judgment Original
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has consistently shown poor judgment. From his blackface performances in his youth — remember that was in the 1990s not the 1950s — to believing that no one could object to his using the Aga Khan’s helicopter to take his family to a private island, to his decision to duck a public inquiry on unacceptable interference with the lives of Canadians and their democracy by the egregious Chinese Communist Party.
Conservatives hatred of journalism is damaging their brand
The first conservative to destroy his party through a hatred of journalists was, of course, Richard Nixon. The next was Donald Trump, who has delivered three defeats since his razor thin single victory, all the while ranting his denunciation of “fake news” media. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre appears to be genuine in his contempt for many Canadian journalists.
Opinion | Conservatives hatred of journalism is damaging their brand Original
The first conservative to destroy his party through a hatred of journalists was, of course, Richard Nixon. The next was Donald Trump, who has delivered three defeats since his razor thin single victory, all the while ranting his denunciation of “fake news” media. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre appears to be genuine in his contempt for many Canadian journalists.
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