Italian economy could use a dose of Canada

Feb. 3, 1:02 AM

Italy has record youth unemployment, Canada has a labour shortage. Italians should look to Canada to rectify their own economic situation.

Embassy Photo: Sam Garcia

Susan Huang attends a rally on Parliament Hill organized by Falun Gong practitioners to draw attention to what they allege to be human rights abuses in China, in advance of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s week-long trip there beginning on Feb. 7.

Measuring Harper in the Middle Kingdom

By Sneh Duggal

Big expectations on energy and investment, but little consensus on outcomes.

Thought refugee reforms were settled? Think again

By Kristen Shane

Advocates fear return of proposals that were 'extremely damaging to refugee rights.'

Little information so far on perimeter plan progress

By Carl Meyer

The first deadlines have passed, but neither Canadian nor US governments have announced yet what has been accomplished.

Canada's gay rights defence is all hot air

By Akim Adé Larcher

In recent years the Conservative government has positioned itself as one of the most vocal governments in Canadian history in defending gay rights abroad. Whether for ideological reasons or those of personal conviction, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird has come out as one of the fervent voices for Canada's new foreign policy to speak out against the persecution of people based on their sexual orientation.

Who will fund Afghan army?
Envoy car revs up chatter
RCMP suspends US program

Canadians split on Israel

Only half of Canadians surveyed say they feel the government's approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict "strikes the right balance," the Globe and Mail reported. The Environics Research Group conducted the Focus Canada survey that found almost one quarter of those surveyed said the government is "too pro-Israel." About three per cent said the government was "too pro-Palestine." The survey also found 35 per cent support the Palestinian bid for statehood while 11 per cent oppose it.

UPDATED NEWS

Scotland: Begging the question

By GWYNNE DYER

Jan. 30, 10:24 PM

Scotland’s separatist first minister wants independence for his country. There's a lot riding on how he forms the question to be asked of his fellow Scots in an upcoming referendum.

Diplomatic Agenda

By ALIA KELLOCK HEWARD

Jan. 29, 11:24 PM

The House of Commons and Senate resume this week. For those in town, catch a screening of The Van Doos in Afghanistan at the University of Ottawa. In Toronto, Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov gives a talk at the Economic Club of Canada.

NEWS

Canada, India want faster trade deal

By Carl Meyer

Trade minister reiterates push for long-promised CEO forum

Feds link economy, human rights in Ukraine

By Sneh Duggal

Government officials say talks are on track; diaspora calling for Canada to raise human rights in talks

Libyan chargé denies report of his potential recall

By Carl Meyer

Trade minister plays up economic links during Libyan visit.

OPINION

Speak with context, Harper

COLUMNS

The Syrian tragedy

By Gwynne Dyer

"The Security Council cannot go about imposing solutions in crisis situations in various countries of the world," said Vitaly Churkin, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, as the UN began discussing what to do about the Syrian crisis last Friday. He needn't worry. Even as Syria drifts inexorably towards a catastrophic civil war, nobody else is willing to put troops into the country, so how are they going to impose anything?

Diplomatic Circles

On a mission to rebuild the Côte d'Ivoire

By Kristen Shane

After the Canadian government 'de-recognized' his predecessor amid a months-long electoral crisis in 2011, the Côte d'Ivoire's new ambassador has his sleeves rolled up to help rebuild his country.

Chatter House

The curious case of South Sudan's office

By Avinash Gavai

Very little news has emerged about the current status of South Sudan's official representation in Canada since the then-South Sudan Liaison Office held a birthday bash for itself back on Jul. 15 to mark the country's birth the week before.