the new canadian forum

Indefinite Hiatus

2007-07-29T21:19:00.000-04:00

The New Canadian Forum is on indefinite hiatus as I focus on other blogs. Also, I am keen to avoid any identity confusion between this and the original Canadian Forum.

the liberal party of canada

2006-01-31T23:55:00.000-05:00

With Messrs Manley, McKenna & Tobin bowing out, this could turn out to be the most competitive, exciting and transformational leadership race since 1968, with a strong selection of left of centre Liberals.

quote of the day

2006-01-20T00:25:00.000-05:00

Charity is no substitute for justice withheld.
- Saint Augustine, 354 - 430

progressive bloggers unite

2006-01-14T23:03:00.000-05:00

federal election 2006

2006-01-14T22:39:00.000-05:00

This election seems destined to result in an outcome that will set back the cause of social justice in Canada. However, it is up to progressive minded Canadians to ensure that this setback is temporary.

Just as the regrettable election and reelection of the Bush Republicans has sown the seeds for a rebirth of rational thinking and an ever-growing resistance movement stateside, so would the election of the Harper Conservatives in Canada.

The sun will still come out on January 24th, and Canada will still be a beautiful place. The Conservatives may win this skirmish, but we will ultimately prevail in the much broader struggle for social justice.

the just society

2006-01-14T22:35:00.000-05:00

In the 1960s and beyond, Pierre Elliott Trudeau captured the hearts and minds of Canadians in articulating a compelling vision of a modern but just society.

In the decades that have followed, we have made great progress toward this goal. However, we are so close and yet so far, as there is much work ahead of us. The mainstream political discourse has failed to highlight this.

We can and must do better.

welcome to the new canadian forum

2006-01-14T22:01:00.000-05:00

I have created this journal in tribute to the original incarnation of The Canadian Forum.

The Canadian Forum was published more or less continuously between 1916 and 2000. It is now in hiatus, but in its day it was the leading forum for public policy discussion and Canadian arts and culture.

On the public policy side, it included regular contributions from Abraham Rotstein, Mel Hurtig and Robert Fulford, to name a few.

On the arts and culture side, it included contributions from Irving Layton, Margaret Atwood and Marshall McLuhan.

In many ways it was ahead of its time, in that many of the themes that it explored are just as relevant today as they were at the time.

One such theme is the need for Canada to confidently assert its cultural and economic independence, even in an increasingly interconnected world.

It also called on Canadians to defend their core values and project these values internationally. First and foremost among these values is the fundamental commitment to social justice.

I am hopeful that this journal can pick up where The Canadian Forum left off, building on its philosophical foundation and honouring its values.