Rick Salutin

3 weeks ago | thespec.com | Rick Salutin

There’s something sad and flailing about NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh in this election. His party is running on fumes and he may be the last whiff of vapour in the tank; 43 per cent of NDP voters say Liberal Leader Mark Carney would make a better PM than their own guy, Singh. Most polls have the NDP under 10 per cent. They’re heading for Green country — or People’s Party of Canada.

1 month ago | thespec.com | Rick Salutin

The Liberals have made it official. They went with the banker, who also did, in the sense that he didn’t change his look, tone or message. He wore the dark blue suit and tie and delivered his most challenging thoughts in his most neutral voice. He saved the (relative) vocal histrionics for the slightly jarring, “Canada Strong,” frequently intoned. That way you look at ease and relaxed at your potentially most exposed. It’s highly grownup. The edgy banker.

1 month ago | thespec.com | Rick Salutin

In your heart, you know he’s a salesmanThat would’ve been my nominee for an anti-Doug Ford slogan in this election. Who wants a salesman in charge of fixing health care, saving public schools, or protecting the climate? Mort Sahl sank Richard Nixon’s hopes against JFK in 1959 by asking, “Would you buy a used car from this guy?”Whatever he’s asked, Ford’s eyes start to glitter, and he’s selling you.

2 months ago | stcatharinesstandard.ca | Rick Salutin

Why do the designated explainers in our country — journalists, leaders, the very rich — always seem puzzled when Canadian nationalism raises its head again? It never went away. It’s always lurking. Where? Out there, where people are. It’s taken many forms, some perplexing. An early, post-Confederation version was called Canadian Imperialism. It wanted Canada to move beyond its colonial status while remaining part of the British Empire. Come again?

2 months ago | wellandtribune.ca | Rick Salutin

Why do the designated explainers in our country — journalists, leaders, the very rich — always seem puzzled when Canadian nationalism raises its head again? It never went away. It’s always lurking. Where? Out there, where people are. It’s taken many forms, some perplexing. An early, post-Confederation version was called Canadian Imperialism. It wanted Canada to move beyond its colonial status while remaining part of the British Empire. Come again?