Culture Wars

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Trade with Mercosur: Opportunities for Canada

In November 2018, Canada and Mercosur opened negotiations for a free trade agreement. The Mercosur, composed of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay (Venezuela is a suspended member from 2016), represents a bloc representing a GDP of over $3 trillion and a...

Are White Men Personae Non-Gratae?

Are White Men Personae Non-Gratae?

In contemporary British and Canadian television programs, women dominate the police forces. Any men officers are often men of colour. In older police dramas, the police were predominantly men.[1] Even in a few current programs, there are more male police, although the...

Some Good News about Race

Some Good News about Race

We are often told that Canada and the U.S.A. are racist societies. Minority activists denounce white society and demand compensatory measures. Black Lives Matter in Canada declares that “Black Power Matters.” In the United States, Black Lives Matter campaign against...

The Indigenous Grandmother

The Indigenous Grandmother

On May 15, 2018 CBC Radio aired a story about an Indigenous woman who complained that a security officer, and then a City of Winnipeg police officer, had treated her improperly while she was attending a Winnipeg Jets related “Whiteout” event. The woman, who described...

How long is the career of a public figure when facing anonymous accusations of sexual misconduct? In the case of Ontario Conservative leader Patrick Brown it was measured in hours from the moment CTV released the news to his resignation.

Regrets, I’ve Had a Few

Regrets, I’ve Had a Few

The Prime Minister mounted the National Apology Pulpit in Ottawa again this week by promising that at some point Parliament would express its regret for the McKenzie King government’s refusal in 1939 to grant asylum to German Jews aboard the MS St. Louis. The ship,...

But what is neither forgivable nor understandable is the reaction of federal politicians to the trial. Both the Prime Minister and the Justice Minister have joined in the chorus criticizing the decision of the twelve jurors. (~1 minute)

Entertainment as Propaganda

Entertainment as Propaganda

Television programs not only entertain, but they also are an important influence our ideas about our society and culture. These messages are not meant solely to reflect social reality accurately, but also to shape that reality. People and their actions and opinions...