A smiling family of four, including two adults and two children, sit together at a table in a library, reading books and writing—perhaps even exploring topics like why politicians fixate on the ethnic vote—with shelves of books in the background.

New Canadians, old values?

Who would have thought? The community responsible for Toronto's gay pride parade, reliably the opposite of dull, finds itself at the centre of a legislative debate that has become boring.

Sex and fire: Religion, homosexuality, and authority in Canada and the United States

Canada’s Supreme Court recently declared that, should the federal govern-ment wish to proceed with same-sex marriage legislation, it should be encumbered only by its own fear of controversy–not by any constitutional constraints.

A person with hands clasped in prayer faces a shelf filled with numerous lit candles, creating a warm, soft glow in a dimly lit setting—a quiet scene that prompts reflection on how My Canada doesn't include religiosity.

My Canada doesn’t include religiosity

In the same-sex marriage debate that engulfed Canadians just before Christmas, The Globe and Mail ran comments from two of its more prominent Christian columnists, broadcaster Lorna Dueck and former Reform Party leader Preston Manning.

A man sits at a desk indoors, holding and examining a sheet of paper with a focused expression—perhaps pondering whether having an election that changes nothing is not such a bad outcome after all. Large windows and office furniture are visible in the background.

Shooting the pollsters

It was bound to happen sooner or later. As Americans and their leaders prepare for the most important and divisive presidential election in decades, pollsters, who like to think of themselves as scientists outside the arena of political contention, have become targets of partisan venom from both the Kerry and Bush camps.

A close-up of the United States flag, showing white stars on a blue field and red and white stripes. The fabric appears slightly wrinkled, suggesting movement—much like Canadian public opinion on free trade.

Why Bush will win

As Canadians lick their wounds over our national election result – a minority that carries with it the likelihood of another round soon – we should be thankful for our limited campaigns compared to the endless electioneering in the United States.

A person with long red hair wearing headphones stands in a music store, looking at a wall display of CDs. The background is red with a blue decorative element visible—it's the perfect place to discover music for less than a song.

Music for less than a song

In April the Federal Court of Canada dealt a blow to the Canadian Recording Industry Association when it ruled that online file sharing does not constitute copyright infringement.

Two flags, the United States on the left and Canada on the right, wave on tall flagpoles against a cloudy sky with trees and utility poles in the background, symbolizing the continuing cultural divergence of Canada and the United States.

Continental divide

Last January, U.S. President George W. Bush and Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin apparently hit it off over a breakfast of sausages and eggs at the Summit of the Americas meeting in Monterrey, Mexico.

Two flags, the Canadian flag above and the American flag below, flutter on a flagpole against a bright blue sky—a striking symbol of Canada and the United States' political and cultural connections.

A liberal Solomon needed

What a difference a few months have made in the life of our Prime Minister. When Paul Martin was "crowned," he inherited the most popular three-term government in Canada's history; he and his party seemed invincible.

Two people, slightly blurred from motion, walk inside a modern building with large glass windows and a yellow grid ceiling. The floor is shiny, reflecting their figures—showing how coronavirus will not dent the trust Canadians have in each other.

A morning-after shocker

Alliance Party leader Stephen Harper and Progressive Conservative Party leader Peter MacKay have finally reached an agreement to merge their parties in an effort to unite the right.

Overhead view of an elderly person with a cane walking on a sidewalk alongside a younger person carrying a backpack, both casting long shadows—reflecting the generational perspectives in five public-opinion trends to watch in 2025.

Liberals: one size fits all

This is turning out to be quite a year for Canadian liberalism. The Liberal Chrétien government has gained international attention for Canada by indicating its support for legalized gay and lesbian marriages and a promise to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Environics Institute for Survey Research

701-33 Bloor Street East
Toronto, ON M4W 3H1

info@environicsinstitute.org

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