Watch The Curse of Politics panel on the inevitability of a Pierre Poilievre government come 2025.
Canadians are 18½ months away from the next federal election, in October 2025.
If the polls are to be believed, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre — easily the most far-right leader everof Canada’s Conservative Party — will sweep to power, to dominate federal governance from November 2025 thru October 2029.
If the 338 projection above is to be believed, Pierre Poilievre will secure somewhere in the neighbourhood of 210 seats in Parliament — for a gain of 91 seats, and a massive majority — while Justin Trudeau’s Liberals will be reduced to a rump caucus of approximately 62 Members of Parliament, with 93 MPs losing their seats.
Although the Curse of Politics panel — consisting of 45-year federal and provincial Liberal political veteran, the always avuncular and engagingly profane, David Herle, with Kory Teneycke representing the forces of evil (oh, we mean, the federal Conservative Party, where he played a central role in the Conservative Party government of Stephen Harper), and longtime New Democratic Party stalwart, Jordan Leichnitz, who as you’ll see and hear when you take in this must-watch / listen to podcast — will leave you convinced Justin Trudeau’s Liberals don’t have a hope in hell of retaining government past 2025.
Frank Gravesis the founder of one of Canada’s most respected polling companies, EKOS Research, covering every federal campaign since 1980. When Mr. Graves suggests Pierre Poilievre doesn’t have a win in the bag, he’s a man to be listened to.
Of course, only Pierre Poilievre can fix a broken Canada. Or can he?
This is Pierre Poillievre's and @CPC_HQ election platform. It’s as simple as this.
1. Everything in the world is broken – Everyone is stupid. 2. I’m the smartest guy in the world. There will never be another! 3. Everything is the other guys fault. @JustinTrudeau 4. I have…
In contemporary discourse, acknowledgment of reconciliation at the commencement of gatherings of people — when such gatherings take place in Parliament, the Legislature, or at meetings of municipal Councils, or more informally at other types of political meetings, in churches, at housing co-operative meetings, or even when people gather to take in a screening at the Vancouver International Film Festival’s VIFF Centre — has gained considerable attention and importance.
The land acknowledgment serves as a recognition of past injustices and a commitment to moving forward with mutual respect and understanding.
Today on VanRamblings, we’ll explore the significance of the reconciliation acknowledgment in fostering inclusivity, building relationships, and promoting healing within organizations and communities.
One significant catalyst for the reconciliation acknowledgmentwas the global recognition of the need to address the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization on Indigenous peoples. This recognition was spurred by advocacy efforts from Indigenous communities, grassroots organizations, and allies pushing for truth, justice, and reconciliation.
In Canada, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), established in 2008, played a pivotal role in raising awareness about the legacy of residential schools and advocating for reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. As part of its Calls to Action, the TRC called on governments, organizations, and individuals to recognize and respect Indigenous rights, cultures, and traditions, through the acknowledgment of traditional territories and treaties.
By acknowledging the traditional owners of the land and recognizing the histories of colonization and marginalization, a space is created where all participants feel valued and respected. This acknowledgment extends beyond geographical boundaries, encompassing the acknowledgment of past wrongs against Indigenous peoples, marginalized communities, and minority groups.
The voicing of the land acknowledgment signals a commitment to equity and diversity, creating an environment where everyone’s voiceis heard and valued.
Acknowledging reconciliation at the outset of meetings builds trust and strengthens relationships among participants. It demonstrates a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths and engage in meaningful dialogue about the legacy of colonialism, oppression, and discrimination.
The land acknowledgment also opens the door for honest conversations about privilege, power dynamics, and systemic injustices, fostering empathy and understanding among individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Through the reconciliation process, relationships based on mutual respect and solidarity are cultivated, laying the foundation for collaborative action and social change.
Reconciliation acknowledgment is an essential step towards healing historical wounds and addressing intergenerational trauma. By acknowledging past injustices and their ongoing impacts, it validates the experiences of those who have been marginalized and oppressed.
This acknowledgment is not merely symbolic but serves as a tangible commitment to truth-telling, justice, and reconciliation. It provides an opportunity for healing and restoration, allowing individuals and communities to confront the legacies of the past and work towards a more equitable and inclusive future.
Canadians grieve the finding of the mass graves at the Kamloops Indian residential school, the 215 children lost to their families when they were taken by the government, but also for their lost lives.
Joanne Mills, the Executive Director of the Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre, has expressed concern about overuse of the the word reconciliation.
“Reconciliation in Canada is more about the acknowledgement that there were wrongs, but there isn’t a lot of action attached to it. It’s difficult to be talking about reconciliation while one party is in power and another is still asking for rights from the former.
There definitely isn’t an equal power distribution. We’re not coming to the table as peers, we’re still coming to the table as have and have-nots,” she says.
Joanne Mills says for reconciliation to take shape, there needs to be an honest attempt to restore to Indigenous people what was taken at the time of colonization.
“I just don’t want to talk about the stereotypes anymore. People should go and educate themselves and learn the truth,” Mills says.
Mills says inequality remains in areas of provincial jurisdiction, such as the high rates of Indigenous kids in foster care in B.C., access to education and over representation of Indigenous people in prison.
B.C. has seen changes in elementary and secondary school curriculum to include more education about Indigenous people, but there have been bumps along the way. Some teachers say they are at a loss on how to teach Indigenous content. Others say they lack sufficient resources.
The adoption of reconciliation acknowledgments reflects a broader societal shift towards acknowledging and confronting the injustices of the past, promoting dialogue, understanding, and working towards an inclusive and equitable future. While the genesis of the reconciliation acknowledgment vary across contexts, its underlying principles of recognition, respect and reconciliationremain universal.
That handsome, despicablefellow you see pictured above is Kareem Allam.
We’re kidding. Honest. Just joshing. Sheesh, no one can take a joke these days.
Afford yourself the pleasure of listening to / watching B.C.’s most accomplished politico, Kareem Allam
Who is Kareem Mahmoud Abbas Allam?
Most political folks will recognize Mr. Allam as the architect of ABC Vancouver’s overwhelming victory at the polls on October 15, 2022, in that year’s decisive municipal election, where everyABC Vancouver candidate was elected to office.
Clearly, Kareem Allam is a master strategist, a superior motivator and a campaign manager par excellence, an individual who means to win, not necessarily at all costs, but still — and, if we might suggest, a man of principle and integrity who fights the good fight, in 2022 on behalf of the beleaguered citizenry of Vancouver.
In 2022, post pandemic, an irritated Vancouver public had become fed up with a do nothing, whiny, Kennedy Stewart-led (if in anyone’s wildest imagination, Mr. Stewart might have the appellation of ‘leader‘ applied to him) administration, where he worked within a disparate and wildly dysfunctional civic administration. Mr. Stewart is, fortunate for us, now back at the post from whence he came, as the defrocked and much mocked Simon Fraser University Political Science professor.
If you go to the Fairview Strategy website — where Mr. Allam is employed, Fairview Strategy an integrated public relations company which offers government relations liaison and expertise, communication, media relations, digital communication, Indigenous relations, and market research — you will read this …
With two decades of private and public sector experience in public affairs, Kareem has successfully leveraged his knowledge of people, policy and community into triumphant political campaigns at the municipal, provincial and federal levels.
Kareem managed the winning Kevin Falcon for BC Liberal Leader campaign and the ABC Vancouver municipal campaign, electing 19 out of 19 candidates, including Mayor Ken Sim. In 2023, Kareem achieved #9 status on Vancouver Magazine’s annual Power 50 list.
Kareem has served as a member of the Board of the Fraser Health Authority, and as a member of the Translink Screening Panel, among other appointments which serve the community interest.
Sarah Blyth, community advocate and organizer, founding member of the Overdose Prevention Society
Did we mention that Sarah Blyth holds Mr. Allam in the highest possible esteem?
One year ago, Mr. Allam left his post as Chief of Staff to Mayor Ken Sim. Suffice to say that Mr. Allam’s leave-taking — he was very unhappy — was none too pleasant.
After yesterday’s incredible announcement helping to fulfill our 100 police and 100 nurses, and on the heels of 24 months of full time campaigning, its time for me to go back to private life. Thank you everyone for such an unbelievable journey. #vanpoli#bcpolipic.twitter.com/NljTK4LzAj
Well worth watching and listening to the Hotel Pacifico podcast interview with Kareem Allam that you’ll find above — given that Mr. Allam will continue to be long into the future, a British Columbian of wit, intelligence, perspicacity and accomplishment, who will endure as an individual who will make a difference for the better in each of our lives, in the many, many years to come. Best to get to know Mr. Allam a little better now, to help provide a bit of context for your confounding life, and perhaps even inject a smidgen of hope for a better collective future for all of us.
In most provinces across Canada, the third Monday in February is observed as a regional statutory holiday, known generally as Family Day.
Family Day is celebrated on the third Monday of February in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and New Brunswick.
Manitobans celebrate the third Monday of February as Louis Riel Day.
A portrait of Louis Riel hanging in the provincial legislature now recognizes the Métis leader as Manitoba’s first Premier. Premier Wab Kinew and Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand unveiled the updated plaque below the portrait on Monday.
Louis Riel is acknowledged as a founder of the province of Manitoba, and a political leader of the Métis people. Riel led his people in revolt against Canadian sovereignty in two resistance movements leveled against the Government of Canada and our country’s first Prime Minister John A. Macdonald, as he sought to defend Métis rights and identity.
In Nova Scotia the day is celebrated as Heritage Day; while in Prince Edward Island, the third Monday of February is celebrated as Islander Day.
Family Day isn’t a statutory holiday in Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Workers in those provinces and territories won’t have Monday, February 19 off work like employees in other parts of the country.
Québec has the lowest number of statutory holidays, tied with Manitoba. Yukon has the most holidays in Canada, celebrating 12 each year. Alberta, Newfoundland, and PEI celebrate 11 holidays, and B.C., New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, the Northwest Territories, Ontario, and Saskatchewan have 10.
Québec doesn’t observe Family Day as a statutory holiday because it celebrates Journée nationale des Patriotes on the Monday preceding May 23, as well as Fête nationale du Québecevery June 24.
A very Happy #FamilyDay to all of the diverse one-parent families across Canada!
Today, the third Monday of February, is a day to celebrate and cherish your beautiful families. 💕
In modern society, where the pace of life can be relentless and demands on individuals are often overwhelming, the significance of family cohesion and bonding is more pronounced than ever. Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, the concept of a dedicated Family Dayholiday supported by the government emerges as a beacon of acknowledgment for the pivotal role families play in shaping societies.
Vancouver City Councillor Rebecca Bligh, her partner Laura and their children celebrate Family Day
One of the hallmark benefits of the Family Day holiday is its capacity to foster inter-generational connections. In an era characterized by rapid societal changes and evolving family structures, the importance of preserving traditions and passing down values from one generation to the next cannot be overstated.
Family Day provides a platform for grandparents, parents, and children to come together, exchange stories, and impart wisdom garnered from their respective life experiences. This interplay between different generations not only enriches familial bonds but also instills a sense of continuity and heritage, reinforcing individuals’ identities and cultural roots.
While the intrinsic value of Family Day lies in its promotion of family cohesion and emotional well-being, its ripple effects extend to the economic realm as well.
Studies have demonstrated a strong correlation between employee satisfaction and productivity, with individuals who feel supported in their familial roles exhibiting higher levels of engagement and commitment in the workplace. By affording employees the opportunity to prioritize their families on Family Day, governments contribute to a more motivated and productive workforce, with holiday-related activities and gatherings injecting vitality into local economies, benefiting businesses across various sectors.
By promoting family unity, enhancing emotional well-being, fostering inter-generational connections, and boosting economic productivity, Family Day serves as a cornerstone for building stronger, more resilient communities.
As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, let us cherish and celebrate the bonds that unite us, reaffirming the timeless value of family in our lives.
Joanne Mills says for reconciliation to take shape, there needs to be an honest attempt to restore to Indigenous people what was taken at the time of colonization.
