Hugh Mackenzie
Huntsville Doppler
A lot of things happened this past week.
Like Elvis, Donald Trump has left the building — at least I think he has. He will go down in history as a very poor president, not because he was a Republican, but rather because he was of despicable character, for whom his own brand was more important than anyone or anything else, including the truth.
In fact, Donald Trump was not really a conservative. He simply saw an opportunity to hijack the Republican Party as a base to start his own movement. Indeed, if it had suited his purposes, Trump could just as easily have embraced the Democrats. After all, he was a card-holding member for many years and at one time even made noises about running for president on that ticket.
If ever there was any doubt that Donald Trump put himself first—over nation, over policy, over a significant and widely authenticated electoral loss, and over mob violence and public safety—one need only look at the last three months to be very confident about that. The proof was definitely there, right in the pudding.
Now the Republican Party has a decision to make. Do they tie their wagon to the radical Trump movement, which has not gone away and is still festering out there, or do they return to a respected political party, on the right of centre, who can propose and negotiate policies that are good for all Americans? Clearly, some conservative leaders, like now Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, believe that they must separate themselves from the almost-lethal hold that the Trump movement has been able to impose on the Republican Party. Only time will tell if they are able or willing to do that.
Meanwhile, the United States has a new president. History has been made there in a number of ways. But many will continue to worry that President Biden, himself a centrist, will cater to the far-left wing of the Democratic Party. While he has promised to govern for all Americans, certainly some of his initial executive orders do not indicate an aggressive beginning to that.
Nevertheless, a breath of fresh air and even some sunshine blew across Washington and, to an extent, globally when Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States. Some of it, of course, was because Donald Trump is no longer president. But there was also a refreshingly statesmanlike inaugural address from President Biden that promised dignity, opportunity, and safety to all Americans, a return to global co-operation, civility in government, and a promise to reach across the aisle of partisan politics. Is this possible? Can he do it? In my view, the next 100 days will tell the tale.
This has been quite a week for Canada as well.
First, Pfizer has announced a delay in getting critically needed COVID-19 vaccines to Canada. The buck here, stops with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. No back-up plan, 16 million vaccines from Moderna were declined by his government. Not even direct contact with Pfizer’s CEO until a few days ago, after Ontario Premier Ford beat him to it.
The result? On a per capita basis, the United States has vaccinated three times as many individuals than has Canada. Lockdowns and restrictions will continue because they are now the direct consequence of the effectiveness and availability of vaccines.
The prime minister has said he has procured more vaccines than are needed in Canada. That may be, but procuring them and actually having them here are two very different things. Where are they and why are we behind the United States and many parts of Europe? Just as we hold Premier Ford accountable for COVID-19 pandemic mistakes in Ontario, we should hold Prime Minister Trudeau accountable for his.
There was also the cancellation of the Keystone XL Pipeline by President Biden. We knew this was coming with a Biden Administration and environmental activists in Canada will applaud it. But no effective consultation, no negotiation, and no stated back-up plan is bad for Canada, resulting in tremendous loss of jobs, serious economic grief for our Western provinces and, yes, a threat to Confederation. Some may call this collateral damage. I call it a critical problem.
As well, we lost a governor general this past week. That is regrettable on a number of fronts, not the least of which is that it will bring the anti-monarchists into the limelight once again.
It is hard to tell if Julie Payette ever really appreciated or enjoyed her vice-regal role. It was pretty apparent she didn’t have the disposition for it, starting with her refusal to move into Rideau Hall.
Her resignation is an embarrassment to Canada and a recognition that the vetting process for a governor general, which was dismantled by the Trudeau Government, needs to be reinstated. After all, that is the process that selected former Governor General David Johnston. He served Canada through both Harper and Trudeau administrations and did so with distinction second to none of his predecessors.
Finally, and happily, in this week of historic activities, Canadians saw Erin O’Toole step up and be counted. He answered accusations of so-called Trumpism by boldly stating, “There is no place for the far-right in the Conservative Party (of Canada).” Then he and his caucus followed up by kicking out Derek Sloan, who accepted a donation, however small, from a known white supremacist. He has expressed alt-right views that border on racism. He does not belong in the Conservative Party I believe in. Showing him the door sends a clear message and is a good step forward.
Quite a week that was. Lots there to talk about!
Hugh Mackenzie
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox three times per week!
Click here to support local news
The most damning statistic (coming on the heels of Trump’s attempt at insurrection by inciting the storming of the Capitol building) is that 45% of Republicans approved of his actions. Four years is a short period to reform a political party, when the rot goes so deep.
Thank you, Mr. Beacock for your insights, you have many good discussion points. I disagree in one area of your observations.
The provincial government is responsible for health care, responsible to allocate the funding. There does not need to be another study/reflection on how to improve this health care sector – there have and are plenty of recommendations already on the books.
Political will, priorizing the efforts into immediate, short-term, long-term interventions is what is called for. The obvious contrasting example is Quebec ramping up training, hiring for LTC in the summer months. What was the DF government focused on? – clawing back environmental safeguards, and interfering with the process for credentialing a Christian college (a donor source). This was yet another indication that our provincial ruling party was absent at the wheel of governance, in preparation for a second wave.
I second your comments about the PSW vocation, but would add that the number of registered staff must increase in nursing homes as well – they provide an important level of clinical leadership to staff.
Once again, I implore voters to have a keen eye on the next provincial election to find out which political party platforms identify LTC improvements (e.g. a managed transition to non-profit ownership and management of LTC, in particular – nursing homes). Thank you for listening.
Yes Hugh, it’s been an interesting month. But we should judge all such things by how well they fit with taking the HIGH ROAD and taking the LONG VIEW. In that regard, there were two more important events in this morning’s news.
Blackrock Capital, the world’s biggest investment firm announced today they are joining a growing group of large investment firms to adopt a policy of ESG investing only in businesses that will help to mitigate climate change. They have seen the light. On the same day, Donald Trump announced the opening of his new office in Florida that will attempt to further the Trump agenda and create a new “Patriot” party. Both of those events will ensure the Republican party remains in the wilderness for the foreseeable future.
Those events should also be a wake-up call for Jason Kenny and Canada’s energy sector. Rather than investing our limited efforts and funds in the KXL pipeline, they should be invested in cleaning up our oil sands to make our vast oil reserves more saleable for as long as they are needed and also investing to get in on the ground floor for the rapidly growing demand for clean hydrogen fuel. The expansions of the Trans-Mountain and Enbridge Line3 pipelines will enable production of 5 million barrels per day for the LONG VIEW. Should we blow through all our money now, or save some for retirement (the future)?
It is interesting to watch the public and two levels of government snipe at each other about everything that someone else should have done, as if they would have anticipated everything and done a perfect job. Let’s take the HIGH ROAD and get back to the refreshing and successful teamwork we had last spring. We will be able to judge the results at this time next year.
The situation with the GG does look like a misstep. Apparently, the PM was too quick to follow a recommendation from Jean Chretien which is normally good, but not this time.
Overall, no government is perfect on everything and they will be judged on what percentage of their work fits with the HIGH ROAD and the LONG VIEW. So far, the Trudeau government is not perfect but who would have done better?
Morning! In regards to Anna’s and others comments towards our premiere. A little info, LTC homes have the lowest payed workers across the board. PSW’s are the unsung heroes of this pandemic and before that as well. Hospital workers are at the top for pay!!! Always have been. The hospital cry and they get money, our LTC just not getting the financial aid they need. They have been under funded for decades by all levels of government and parties!!! 2 people, 4 people to a room! Yes it is! Prisoners have a better go of it! Never underfunded their in my opinion! Doug Ford cant fix it all on a whim. It takes time and finance to do that. So here is an example. In Muskoka, paramedics are or were working in the homes. I think thats great they are helping out in these trying times. His wages, i am going to say maybe twice that PSW’s wages. Take in over time and what do we have! A very discouraged PSW? Thats fact! I am not complaining but what i am saying is these PSW’s need better pay and maybe we can retain some of them!!!! It takes a special and very caring person to do the heavy lifting in these homes, cleaning a senior after a bowel accident is just one thing i can think of. What kind of a person does it take to do that, not me for sure! PSW’s do. So my hats off to these PSW’s on the front lines!!!!! I support you people a 125%. Do you think some politician in the district office could give them a raise, federal government, provincial! Lets see! Our PSW’s are not trained over night it takes time and finance to that! It takes a person that wants to do that job, it is not for everyone. Bottom line as i have said and others here say, LTC have been underfunded for decades. Yes people that is correct but it is not going to change in 12 months. Takes time, and finances! To all the front line workers out there, truck drivers, grocery clerks, and essential workers, thanks from the bottom of my heart!!!!
It seems both mainstream parties in Canada have conveniently ignored all the problems in LTC.
BTW I found these three articles I would like to share with everyone.
https://canadians.org/analysis/mike-harris-raking-profits-long-term-care-system-he-helped-create https://www.cbc.ca/
news/canada/seniors-homes-inspections-1.5532585
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/ontarios-move-to-scale-back-full-annual-inspections-at-nursing-homes-means-less-eyes-on-elderly-advocate
Dear Ms Kear
Thank you on behalf of everyone currently residing in LTC and their families. Thank you on behalf of all those who have lost a loved one needlessly due to neglect,malnutrition and dehydration. Keep shining the light on this dark moment in our countries history.
Mr. Reuvekamp; I too would like an apology; this time, from DF and his lack-lustre response to LTC homes prior to the second wave. Like you, I find it not surprising that our premiere will not take responsibility for his inaction. As to DF’s arrogance, not sure, it may be that he is just dumb-founded.
I know many of you may be yawning at yet another comment from me concerning LTC and COVID – I have certainly made my position repeatedly. My intention is to keep a bright light on this issue.
very disappointing and yet not very surprising to see that Trudeau will not apologize or take any responsibility for the Payette appointment. I believe that refusal shows once again what an arrogant person Trudeau is, and why there have been so many similar lapses in judgement made by him during his time in office. I imagine that we will see that same arrogance from him again, as the USA and other countries will continue to outpace us on vaccine rollout. The delay will simply be somebody else’s fault (I believe they’ve already tried to blame Mulroney?!), and Canadians will be expected to simply wait their turn.
Yes, a very busy, historic week for US and Canada. In addition to your overview and fine points made, it may be worthwhile asking for the transparency in the Conservative party for vetting donors and donations.
Vetting people for positions seemed to be a theme this week, vetting of candidates, appointees, and donors with their donations.
How are donors vetted? What legislated rules/guidelines apply? And, what, who, provides oversight to campaign contributions, as an ongoing process?
Hugh, do you think it would help unification of the world if political parties advertised that there is plenty of room in their tent for everybody, with the following exceptions, list to follow? Should they amend the American Constitutions to read “we the people with the following exceptions?
Everyone must have a hyphenated nationality such as African-American or old- white guy so we all know what political party you must belong to. They can’t be just Canadians or Americans, how would the media possibly know which pigeon hole they should be put in? Everyone is entitled to freedom of speech with the following exceptions… Should we be banning books at the library that are too right wing or left wing leaning in nature, so as not to be politically incorrect? Who should decide these books without becoming infected by them?
Should the media have to quit editorializing all stories, giving us only traceable facts, then we can fact check them without sifting through the media’s biases?
Should we do away with the courts, our laws don’t need interpretation, the rules are the rules, everyone must follow them with the following exceptions, insert list here?
I still believe in freedom of speech, freedom of choice and that all people are entitled to their own opinion, whether I agree with it or not.
To judge another person’s character and ethics it would be helpful to have quality in one’s self ! Do You think our PM has learned and will leave the decision on the next GG to those who have knowledge ?
Great summery of a very active couple of weeks. As always, I enjoy you perspective.
Victoria