Tag Archives: Freedom Convoy

North Island offers a case study for upcoming BC election

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

This article is part of a series by Canada’s National Observer that will take a look at Vancouver Island’s “ridings to watch” in the upcoming election. 

The North Island may well be a long held NDP stronghold but the recent spike in support for the BC Conservatives suggests a tight two-way race is in the making in the upcoming provincial election. 

Continue reading North Island offers a case study for upcoming BC election

Pierre Poilievre aims to turn B.C. coast blue at NDP’s expense

Editor’s opinion: Prior to NDP candidate Rachel Blaney’s election in 2015, our area (North Island-Powell River) was a Conservative stronghold for 7 years. Blaney won 40.2% of the popular vote, as opposed to the Conservatives 26.2%. Since then, the Conservatives have slowly been increasing their numbers in North Island-Powell River. They lost by 5.3% in 2019 and only 3.5% in 2021. Now that Blaney has decided not to run in the next election, the Conservatives have a chance to retake the riding. As of this morning, 338Canada’s projections show the Conservative Party of Canada taking as many as 5 of Vancouver Island’s 7 seats and the most likely riding to switch is North Island-Powell River.

(This is by no means certain and any swing to the right would most likely have less momentum in the Cortes, Quadra and the other Discovery Islands – which tend to lean more to the left than Campbell River.)  

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Long before the next election, Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre is setting his sights on winning seats on Vancouver Island, despite the NDP’s domination over the past decade. 

The NDP holds six of the region’s seven ridings, with the exception of Green Party Leader Elizabeth May’s Saanich-Gulf Island riding. 

Continue reading Pierre Poilievre aims to turn B.C. coast blue at NDP’s expense

Communities across Canada organize to challenge far-right rhetoric of ‘freedom convoy’

By Natasha Bulowski, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The streets of downtown Ottawa are no longer blocked with trucks and peppered with hate symbols, but residents are not ready to rest while the extreme rhetoric of the so-called “freedom convoy” permeates Canadian politics and society.

“This will emerge again,” said Andrea Harden, an Ottawa resident who participated in many counter-protests against the month-long occupation. “The question for me is when and where?”

Continue reading Communities across Canada organize to challenge far-right rhetoric of ‘freedom convoy’

AFN National Chief Explains Her Concerns About Canada’s Emergency Act

By Jacob Cardinal, Alberta Native News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

(ANNews) – On Wednesday February 23, 2022 Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief RoseAnne Archibald held a press conference as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ended the government’s use of the Emergencies Act.

The National chief expressed her concern over the Act during the press conference, believing the federal and provincial governments would use the act against First Nation activists should a protest arise.

Continue reading AFN National Chief Explains Her Concerns About Canada’s Emergency Act