Well, not literally of course, but it must be remembered that I have many readers in Canada – there is the Vancouver constellation, and also the Edmonton gathering. Not only the city of Edmonton but also some outlying adjacent like towns St. Albert where I have six faithful readers.
It seems I should be paying some attention to Canada particularly since I probably will be applying for a more permanent Malaysian visa with my Canadian, not my US passport and then traveling as a Canadian not an American.
In recognition of this the Star featured an interesting article about the Canadian politics – as unbelievable as that may seem. Here is what it says:
“There is a long-standing saying in Canadian politics that warns one should always expect the most boring possible outcome, no matter how exciting things appear to be.
Enter the 2025 election.
Just months ago, Conservative Leader Pierre Pollievre seemed nearly guaranteed to win a majority. And then came the return of U,S. President Donald Trump’s who threatened to annex Canada and put devastating tariffs on most of the world. Trump’s gravitational pull helps shape the course of the election campaign and for a former central banker and a flailing Liberal Party his presence was a gift.
Canadians voted for Mark Carney—the calm, steady handed economic whiz —to guide them through this storm. What could go wrong? He’s only dealing with one of the most unpredictable and powerful world leaders of out time.
But Canada’s new brainy boss, who no one would describe as a barrel of laughs, was the only thing close to boring during this election.
The fallout for the Conservatives has been rife with backstabbing, public finger pointing, and even accusations of sabotage. (Pollievre receiving a reprover early today when an Alberta MP, whose riding overwhelmingly voted Conservative said he would step down to allow the leader to run in a by-election).”
I am utterly and thoroughly embarrassed to say that I am, I guess, an Albertan. What with Premier Danielle Smith in charge and some guy sacrificing himself for Pierre the Poop (as I call him).
“Oshawa MP Jamil Jivani went off on Ontario Premier Doug Ford on election night, lambasting his leadership and accusing him of ‘sabotaging’ the federal Tories. A furious Ford fired back charging that Pollievre’s team refused to help the Ontario Tories in their recent election.
And to escalate things further, Nova Scotia’s Progressive Conservative Werner called on the federal Conservatives to “do some soul-searching” after their defeat. ..
And not all if swell for the New Democrats either when rifts are emerging after the party’s worst-ever result, which forced leader Jagmeet to call it quits on election night.
Former MP Charles Angus, one of the most influential New Democratic voices, told me Thursday the party ran an absolutely disastrous campaign that ‘missed the moment’ and focused to much on Singh.
It was a scathing assessment that upon publication, received a striking retort from the NDP’s national campaign director, a top party official who—get this—supported Angus in his 2017 leadership bid where he came second to Singh.
In her rebuttal, Jennifer Howard told me she took complete responsibility for the mistake of the campaign and she accused Angus of “blame and division.”
It has been a week since the election, by the way. This is just the start.
In the days, weeks and months ahead, Carney’s liberal government will be trust into the realities of dealing with Trump. Pollievre will find allies and foes and the NDP plunged into a leadership while soul searching and trying to prevent a fall into obscurity.
And you have heard Western alienation sentiment is bubbling up again. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith might like to have a word. Frustration with Ottawa, not eased by the re-election of the Liberals, is regaining talk of Alberta separatism.
This week, Smith introduced legislation that would make it easier for citizens to initiate a referendum on the province’s future in Canada. But you can breathe, folks, because while the Conservative premier said she wouldn’t get in the way of the people, she personally supports Alberta staying in Canada.
All in all, Canadians who wished for the peace and calm may not get the deal they hoped for with this 45th Canadian Parliament. Was this even a realistic expectation?
Political junkies, buckle up!
P.S. This reporter is not responsible if, as the saying goes, we get the least exciting possible outcome.
More Canadian political news followed. This reporter, by the way, is Mark Ramzy. You can reach him at Ramzy@thestar.ca
I am thinking of reaching out to congratulate Mark Ramzy on a well written story of a fortunately complex political scene made possible for many reasons, One of which is that there is at least three political parties – not the US two parties offering little, if any, choice. Indeed it is a bit of a mess but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Not so in the USA, unfortunately. There is only abysmal darkness and a void.
My income is derived from my pension, earned in the USA. But increasingly my heart shall belong to Canada and soon, my newly adopted second home of Malaysia.
Have decided that this will be a brief blog. The photos I shall include will be ones of the sunrises I enjoy. This morning was another unique one.
A photo sent to my WhatsAppers had this caption: “This is the only hope of color.” Then the next photo which said: This the usual vantage point with only grey.” Then I said: It provided a deeply personal message for me at the time. Alina responded sympathetically
She: I sense a bit of low point. I hope Allah will ease and lighten up things for you Alaa.
She included photos of a park in KL asking me which one of the pics ‘that I b sharing u like best.” I chose one.
Me: I absolutely love getting your message and photos of beautiful places in KL.
In answer to her sympathetic response I wrote.
Me: Actually the opposite. Allah eased by burden. Said to go slow. That I have already met His expectations of me.I weep as I write. Tears of joy.
She: Alhamdulillah
Me: Alhamdulillah
Also a photo of my yummy Malaysian breakfast.
Me: My breakfast
Devi: Wow Looks nice dear
Me: It was fab. The breakfast buffet here.
