Wednesday Night #2250

2025 Canada Federal Election
The Walrus called it The Election That Asks Canada What Country It Wants to Be, given Two leaders, one crisis, and a nation at a crossroads
So Mark Carney is now our duly elected PM and we, once again, have a minority government. However, this time, even the Bloc has pledged to support Mr. Carney in his dealings with Trump‘s trade and tariffs follies, and delusional 51st state claims.
Pierre Poilievre’s gracious concession speech included this important pledge:
“Conservatives will work with the prime minister and all parties with the common goal of defending Canada’s interests and getting a new trade deal that puts these tariffs behind us while protecting our sovereignty and the Canadian people.”
Peter Frise cites the reflections of Arlene Dickinson, Founder and General Partner of District Ventures Capital, from which we retained in particular “We can’t lose Canada’s soul after the votes are counted or hand over who we are to anger, apathy, or fear. How we continue to protect our democracy after the ballots are cast will ultimately define us.”
It was a cliff-hanger and as we examine the electoral map, it is very clear that while the Trump threat predominated in many ridings, in an equal number, the preoccupation was inflation, cost of housing and services, maintenance of public services and, generally, the affordability of life. Mr. Carney, his Cabinet and advisors must take these voter concerns into consideration and work with the provincial and municipal levels of government to respond in timely and efficient ways.

Mon, Jan 20 – Wed, Apr 30, 2025 Donald Trump’s First 100 Days
Despite his extravagant claims at Tuesday’s rally in Michigan, there’s not much praise for Donald Trump 2.0‘s first 100 days and not much anticipation of improvement.
An Unsustainable Presidency – Nothing about Donald Trump’s first 100 days has been ordinary.

The Papacy/Vatican
Let the games begin: the Vatican Conclave opens on May 7th, amidst lots of conjecture about who is favoured as a successor to Pope Francis. Most frequently cited saying: “He who enters the conclave as pope, leaves it as a cardinal” highlights the unpredictability of papal elections and cautions against assuming any particular cardinal is a sure bet for the papacy. (NB AI generated info)

The funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday attracted world-wide coverage, including some outstanding work by the Globe & Mail’s Eric Reguly (Pope Francis: A lifetime serving the poor and challenging Catholic Church orthodoxy), however the ceremonial details took second place to Trump’s prior meeting with Zelensky and apparent change of heart vis à vis Putin; and the now-notorious blue suit scandal.
Trump says he thinks Zelenskyy is ready to give up Crimea despite previous comments
US president says face-to-face meeting at Vatican improved relations with Ukrainian president and demurs on trust in Vladimir Putin

It appears that although he has brought peace to neither Ukraine or Gaza, Trump (or his people) has nonetheless managed to sign a US-Ukraine minerals deal after months of strained negotiations. No details yet.
Ukraine and U.S. Sign Economic and Reconstruction Deal
The deal is intended to give the U.S. access to proceeds from Ukraine’s reserves of rare earth minerals.
It all sounds peachy keen, but with Trump, one never knows …
“This agreement signals clearly to Russia that the Trump administration is committed to a peace process centered on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. “President Trump envisioned this partnership between the American people and the Ukrainian people to show both sides’ commitment to lasting peace and prosperity in Ukraine.”
He added: “And to be clear, no state or person who financed or supplied the Russian war machine will be allowed to benefit from the reconstruction of Ukraine.”
Hard to know what Trump is up to as the relationship with Putin is murky: After Putin calls for three-day ceasefire, Trump reiterates demand for permanent Ukraine truce

Margaret Lefebvre’s funeral and reception last Friday
It was memorable, as would be expected of a Margaret-directed event.
So many friends, people I had not seen for years, some I did not recognize.
The Mass at Ascension was enhanced by the presence of a number of members of the Order of St Lazarus, who entered and left in procession, and there was beautiful music, of course. As the procession moved out at the end, we were treated to very different musical selections chosen by Margaret and played by her great nephew Aidan, including Johnny Cash and Kermit!
The reception at the Faculty Club was well attended, with lots of Wednesday Nighters, though some people had to head out to other engagements. There was a generous ‘light lunch’ buffet, lots of easy access seating for the mobility challenged. Wonderful mix-and-mingle ambiance and what was especially fun for me was the encounters between Wednesday Nighters who had previously met only on Zoom.
Wonderful to have Peter Frise, Judy Roberts and Brian Mitchell here for the occasion.
Fiona’s tribute ‘album’, featured on a screen suspended from the balcony at the west end of the room, was much appreciated and praised.
I was asked to speak at the reception, Vincent Prager spoke first, and among those who followed me were Alireza, Julius and Carol Cumming Speirs (who now lives at the Liz).
All in all, the reception was filled with the ambiance of Margaret’s legendary Christmas ‘Teas’ and she would have been pleased and proud of how beautifully Andrea carried it off.

U.S. – Israel/Gaza
Temporarily, the ICJ hearing on Israel’s ban on cooperation with Unwra, and US intervention in the case, has pushed Russia, Ukraine and even China off the front pages
Gaza siege reaches 60th day as US defends Israel at ICJ
No food, water or medical supplies have been allowed to enter the Gaza Strip since March 2.
Has Trump gone too far?
Amal Clooney, Fellow U.K. Lawyers Could Be Denied Entry to U.S. Under Potential New Trump Sanctions
Possible sanctions could affect Clooney’s ability to be in the United States, where the human rights advocate owns a home with her husband, George, and twin children

As the World Recoils, Canada Votes in the Shadow of a Rogue President
Jeremy Kinsman
Trump has provided Canada and democracies in Europe with a wake-up call about their own future. They envisage like-minded consortia to concert and strengthen ties among themselves, to deepen cooperation — in world security, trade, and financial affairs – with the US, or without.
As though in response to Jeremy Kinsman, Kyle Matthews shares the good news about the Montreal Institute for Global Security (MIGS)
As the U.S. government rolls back its support for institutions that have long championed democracy, human rights, and global cooperation, the international community faces a growing gap — but also a profound opportunity. The newly established Montreal Institute for Global Security is stepping forward to help fill that gap. Rooted in Canada, with strong international networks and a mandate focused on emerging security challenges, we are positioning ourselves to be a hub for research, dialogue, and strategic action.
We have secured new office space in Montreal and are ready to move quickly and decisively.
There is more good news, but I think we should wait until Kyle shares it publicly.

Celine Cooper has accepted the post of Interim Director of the Bishop’s Forum, an immersive civic leadership institute for young leaders from across Quebec that takes place 8-13 August. “We are looking for young English-speaking Quebecers between the ages of 18 – 26, committed to civic engagement and building a strong, resilient Quebec.”

Nik Nanos Named 13th Chancellor of Carleton University effective July 1st. Congratulations to Nik and to Carleton for an excellent choice.

Chris Neal, do you know whether the CIC National event Greenland, NATO and the Future of the Arctic Program was recorded? The topic is of great interest to many.

A follow-up from The Atlantic to last Wednesday’s discussion of AI Something Alarming Is Happening to the Job Market – A new sign that AI is competing with college grads
According to the New York Federal Reserve, labor conditions for recent college graduates have “deteriorated noticeably” in the past few months, and the unemployment rate now stands at an unusually high 5.8 percent. Even newly minted M.B.A.s from elite programs are struggling to find work.

Varia
51st State? No Way! EH! EH! A Canadian Musical
A tongue-in-cheek declaration of Canadian pride and independence during strained cross-border relations!
A musical response to the current US-Canada trade war tensions.
You can read with a cat on your lap at this bookstore, then adopt the cat
Since Literary Cat Co. opened in Kansas about a year and a half ago, 32 of the store’s foster cats have been adopted by bookstore customers.

Long reads
Trump’s Astonishing 100 Days, in 8 Charts
The first 100 days of Donald J. Trump’s second presidency have been a study of extremes, especially when compared with the start of presidential terms over the last century.
Compared with other modern presidents, he has signed the most executive orders in this period, collected the most tariffs and had the most lawsuits filed against him. Markets have slumped, as have his approval ratings. …
Who are the cardinals tipped to be the next pope one week before the conclave?
Something to look up to: how Michelangelo’s love and humility could influence the Sistine Chapel conclave
The artist’s frescoes hold many lessons for the cardinals who have to decide upon the next pope