While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Bruce Anderson.
Americans are impatient with their chaotic President. For a shockingly long time, they seemed willing to shrug off his juvenile framing of complex issues. Some winced, many looked away. Millions marched, and the rest of the world wondered why it wasn’t millions more. Trump will never stop being Trump. But he’s got fewer cards. He’s spending billions on a war...
Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says the federalist side is dragging its feet in organizing for a likely referendum on separation in Alberta. Are they, and if so, why? There's a lot happening on the Alberta story, and it seems to get messier by the week. Bruce and Chantal have their Good Talk thoughts on this and more.
The absence of a visible leader of the Democrats will help, not hurt Democratic Party chances in the midterms.
The message from Mark Carney to Conservative MP Jamil Jivani was very clear -- there's only one player on the Canadian team negotiating with the US and that's his government. But is there? Jivani is in Washington again saying he's working for Canada. The plot thickens. Plus, Avi Lewis passes up another opportunity to run for the party he leads...
71% of Albertans don't want to leave Canada. 17% do. Who can influence the other 12% and what will matter to them? 120 years ago Alberta became a Canadian province. This year, residents may or may not have a vote on whether they want to remain. The proposed questions of the Smith government aren’t directly on this question - they...
71% of Albertans don't want to leave Canada. 17% do. Who can influence the other 12% and what will matter to them? 120 years ago Alberta became a Canadian province. This year, residents may or may not have a vote on whether they want to remain. The proposed questions of the Smith government aren’t directly on this question - they...
The Prime Minister keeps his cool in public, but he's said to sometimes lose that cool in private. Doesn't suffer fools well and demands action not foot dragging. This week we saw him come close to bluntly telling the Americans to back off with the demands and get with the program on trade talks. That's just one of the things...
While campaigning for the presidency in Portland, in 1932, Franklin Roosevelt told a crowd “my friends, judge me by the enemies I’ve made.”. In a 2015 Presidential debate, Anderson Cooper asked the candidates which enemy they were most proud of making. There’s a deep history of politics about picking your enemies as deliberately as you choose your friends.
But young people are more tempted by the idea, and federalists should concentrate on narrowing that generation gap. In 1980, 40% of Quebecers voted to separate. Fifteen years later, 49% took that position in a second referendum. Fast forward 30 years, and the Parti Quebecois is promising a third referendum if they win the next election, a promise that is...
But young people are more tempted by the idea, and federalists should concentrate on narrowing that generation gap. In 1980, 40% of Quebecers voted to separate. Fifteen years later, 49% took that position in a second referendum. Fast forward 30 years, and the Parti Quebecois is promising a third referendum if they win the next election, a promise that is...
Almost two months ago, Pierre Poilievre seemed to have rounded a corner. The "attack dog" politician became, or so it seemed, the friendly one, talking about respect and a time for unity. Well those days are gone, long gone, after a week where the old Poilievre seemed back in full force. Bruce and Chantal are back with their assessments of...
Our latest Spark Insights polling (Sample 4026, nationwide, online, April 4-8) finds the Liberals (46%) well ahead of the Conservatives (32%) buttressed by a 19 point lead in BC, a 17 point lead in Ontario, and 20 points ahead of the BQ in Quebec. Underpinning this support is wide approval (65%) of the government’s performance. Liberal governments have historically faced...
Our latest Spark Insights polling (Sample 4026, nationwide, online, April 4-8) finds the Liberals (46%) well ahead of the Conservatives (32%) buttressed by a 19 point lead in BC, a 17 point lead in Ontario, and 20 points ahead of the BQ in Quebec. Underpinning this support is wide approval (65%) of the government’s performance. Liberal governments have historically faced...
This has to be the worst of times for Donald Trump -- nothing is going right, and the US President looks increasingly unhinged on a daily basis. Even some of his base are abandoning him. With Chantal away, former Washington correspondent Keith Boag joins Bruce for some serious Trump talk. Plus, another Conservative crosses the floor, making a Liberal majority...
Formed in 1949, in the wake of a world war which cost tens of millions of lives, 12 countries signed the NATO charter in Washington, D.C. The aims were to deter Soviet expansionism, to prevent the rise of nationalistic militarism in Europe, and to promote European integration. A lot has changed, in Trump’s America.
Formed in 1949, in the wake of a world war which cost tens of millions of lives, 12 countries signed the NATO charter in Washington, D.C. The aims were to deter Soviet expansionism, to prevent the rise of nationalistic militarism in Europe, and to promote European integration. A lot has changed, in Trump’s America.
Two thirds think the UK made a mistake getting out of the EU. The disruption that President Trump has caused in international relationships and markets has prompted a lot of people to open their minds to new possibilities, and new directions. Prime Minister Carney’s speech in Davos gave flight to the idea that middle powers should look for ways to...
Two thirds think the UK made a mistake getting out of the EU. The disruption that President Trump has caused in international relationships and markets has prompted a lot of people to open their minds to new possibilities, and new directions. Prime Minister Carney’s speech in Davos gave flight to the idea that middle powers should look for ways to...
There’s a scene in Prime Minister, the acclaimed documentary about Jacinda Ardern, where the former New Zealand prime minister is captured in a private moment: raw, unguarded, visibly carrying the weight of leading a country through catastrophe.
The American and Israeli war against Iran is 29 days old, and is costing America somewhere between a billion and 2 billion dollars a day. Far from getting a “rally around the flag” public opinion boost, Americans were skeptical from the start, and opinion has been hardening, especially against the idea of putting American troops on the ground. Even most...
The American and Israeli war against Iran is 29 days old, and is costing America somewhere between a billion and 2 billion dollars a day. Far from getting a “rally around the flag” public opinion boost, Americans were skeptical from the start, and opinion has been hardening, especially against the idea of putting American troops on the ground. Even most...
Liberals lead everywhere except Saskatchewan and Alberta and the gap has closed there. A few weeks shy of the first anniversary of the election of a Mark Carney led government finds the country broadly endorsing his leadership. Our latest Spark Insights national survey (4000, online, field work between March 22-26, 2025) finds Liberal support at 46% compared to 30% for the Conservatives.
A terrible crash of an Air Canada jet in New York becomes a language crisis at the top of the country's national airline. The airline employs more than 35 thousand people, about a third of them in Montreal. But their Montreal based CEO speaks only English and this week that became painfully clear. Bruce and Chantal have their thoughts on...
Liberals lead everywhere except Saskatchewan and Alberta and the gap has closed there. A few weeks shy of the first anniversary of the election of a Mark Carney led government finds the country broadly endorsing his leadership. Our latest Spark Insights national survey (4000, online, field work between March 22-26, 2025) finds Liberal support at 46% compared to 30% for the Conservatives.
Marjorie Harris and Michael Hughes are deadlocked, with net favourability scores of +1. The thing is, they are made up names for an experiment. Ever since I started working in public opinion research (back in the early 1980’s) I was keen to know about the sources of bias that can creep into research unless care is taken in survey design.
One of those was the “acquiescence bias”, sometimes referred to in shorthand terms as yea-saying. It reflects that fact that some people - especially if they don’t have a strong opinion themselves are more likely to agree with a statement or idea than disagree with it. It’s something one always has to take into account when doing polling, especially on...
The Conservative leader went on the most popular podcast in the United States yesterday and kept the conversation going for more than two hours and twenty minutes. And if you believe Bruce and Chantal he did very well. Will it make a difference? Also on Good Talk, the Iran war and America's allies, just where do they, including Canada, stand...
Donald Trump famously said “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose any voters, OK? It’s like incredible.” All the evidence so far has suggested that he was right. But few things shift the winds of US politics like wars.
It rarely rates a mention when polling asks “what’s the most important issue”, but only because people thought nothing could be done about it. I’m talking about polarization in politics and by extension, in society more broadly. Have a conversation with friends and acquaintances about the state of the world, and it often doesn’t take long before someone will mention...
The three federal by-elections that will happen in April are going to be consequential. They’ll determine whether the federal Liberal caucus will have enough members to carry votes in the House of Commons without relying on support from other parties.
The three federal by-elections that will happen in April are going to be consequential. They’ll determine whether the federal Liberal caucus will have enough members to carry votes in the House of Commons without relying on support from other parties.
After a few days of plaudits for sounding more mainstream, Poilievre reminds everyone he is a climate denier, and lacks an understanding of the global marketplace. The Trump administration has dented, but not ended, the drive towards emissions reduction. Capital investments in energy were expected to hit $3.3 trillion in 2025. Of every 3 dollars invested, 2 were going to...
Wide leads in Quebec, Ontario, Atlantic and BC. But the numbers have tightened, a lot, in Alberta and Saskatchewan. PM Carney's travels to market Canada is one reason why. In an election held now, 46% would cast a ballot for the Carney Liberals, and 31% say they would vote for Poilievre’s Conservatives. The Liberals have opened up a large lead...
Wide leads in Quebec, Ontario, Atlantic and BC. But the numbers have tightened, a lot, in Alberta and Saskatchewan. PM Carney's travels to market Canada is one reason why. In an election held now, 46% would cast a ballot for the Carney Liberals, and 31% say they would vote for Poilievre’s Conservatives. The Liberals have opened up a large lead...
Within hours of the US and Israeli attack on Iran and the assassination of that country's leader, Mark Carney was out with his initial thoughts on the conflict. Since then there's been some clarification on what he meant but there's also been some concern in Liberal circles. Chantal and Bruce have their thoughts on this and a lot more on...
Pierre Poilievre is getting generally pretty good reviews for his major speech yesterday outlining his vision for Canada-U.S. relations. Before a pretty Conservative business audience in Toronto, he also went after Donald Trump -- something he hasn't done in the past with so much vigour. It wasn't just what he said but the way he said it. Chantal Hebert and...
A new poll in the United States has Americans being told that there's a real chill from Canadians about their southern neighbours, and the word "hate" is used. Feelings are strong, but that strong? Bruce and Chantal on that, plus Alberta calls for a referendum on October 19th, but no question yet on separation. Plus more on leadership challenges for...
Remember that old saying "Stick a fork in him, he's done"? Some people are beginning to say that about Donald Trump, which may well work in Canada's favour. A little early or no? Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson on that, and also more on the possible Alberta referendum and Washington's supposed involvement.
Not even a week after Pierre Poilievre's resounding victory at the leadership review vote in Calgary, the Conservative leader found himself struggling. Why? Because he seemed offside on strategy with the often referred to "Godfather" of his party, Stephen Harper. It was a big week for Harper as he was in Ottawa to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his first...
What’s Canada’s secret weapon to supercharge our economy? Something most of us rarely think about until it’s missing: electricity. Affordable, reliable energy sits at the centre of how we live and work, and how our industries compete. That’s why it was encouraging to see the Prime Minister meeting with provincial and territorial premiers to talk about doubling the power grid...
Red Tories and blue Liberals have found someone they like better, and trust more. Poilievre’s speech reflected a recognition that he had to change to be competitive. Whether you liked it or didn’t, the speech Pierre Poilievre gave at the Conservative convention was, in a way, the speech Mark Carney made him give. In Calgary, at the convention of Conservatives...
Red Tories and blue Liberals have found someone they like better, and trust more. Poilievre’s speech reflected a recognition that he had to change to be competitive. Whether you liked it or didn’t, the speech Pierre Poilievre gave at the Conservative convention was, in a way, the speech Mark Carney made him give. In Calgary, at the convention of Conservatives...
Alberta is at the centre of two major stories as the week ends -- Pierre Poilievre is in Calgary tonight waiting for his party's verdict on his leadership. Meanwhile Albertans who want out of Canada say they have the White House on their side and some of the things being said by Trump officials would seem to agree. Bruce and...
Alberta is at the centre of two major stories as the week ends -- Pierre Poilievre is in Calgary tonight waiting for his party's verdict on his leadership. Meanwhile Albertans who want out of Canada say they have the White House on their side and some of the things being said by Trump officials would seem to agree. Bruce and...
Two thirds think the Conservatives should replace Poilievre, including 27% of Conservative voters. Since a noticeable dip in November, approval levels for the Carney government have reversed course and sit at 64% nationally. Approval is over 66% in every region but Alberta, where it stands at 57%. Approval is over 60% with every age group. These are results from the...
Two thirds think the Conservatives should replace Poilievre, including 27% of Conservative voters. Since a noticeable dip in November, approval levels for the Carney government have reversed course and sit at 64% nationally. Approval is over 66% in every region but Alberta, where it stands at 57%. Approval is over 60% with every age group. These are results from the...
First, Mark Carney said the rupture is real and our days tied to the US are over. Twenty four hours later, Donald Trump implies "You better be careful Mark". More Trumpian insults directed at Canada followed So now, its game on, the fight is real and who knows just where it will all end up. So while Carney and his...
The world heading into 2026 looks very different from a decade ago. New geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions, and surging energy demand — driven in part by AI and other energy-intensive industries — have countries scrambling to secure supply chains and shore up energy security. And while fossil fuels remain in that mix, the larger story is the rapid acceleration of...
Mark Carney was in China for the past few days and leaves with a pocketful of deals. Sounds good but how good is it? Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson are here with their assessment of risks and rewards. It's a busy Good Talk with more on the agenda, from the resignation of Quebec's premier to what exactly is Canada's position...
The year is off to a fast start, and so is the Good Talk panel. How worried should Canada be after the US invasion of Venezuela and Donald Trump's constant threats towards some of his closest neighbours? Also, Chrystia Freeland pulls the plug on her Ottawa career and sets up shop in Ukraine. All that and more in our first...
The year is off to a fast start, and so is the Good Talk panel. How worried should Canada be after the US invasion of Venezuela and Donald Trump's constant threats towards some of his closest neighbours? Also, Chrystia Freeland pulls the plug on her Ottawa career and sets up shop in Ukraine. All that and more in our first...
If Putin or Xi removed Maduro and said they would be running Venezuela for a while and selling Venezuela’s oil to make profits from it, would you celebrate this as a great step for freedom? Of course not.
Canada's next election will turn on how much people want to escape the chaos and division Trump brings to their lives. Conservatives have a horse bred for a different race. Trump was sworn into office again a little more than 300 days ago. In 300 days, Americans can hit the reset button. Most Canadians are really hoping that they do...
For the third time in a month a Conservative jumps ship, with two of them joining the Liberals. Will there be more? The Liberals need at least one more to form a majority. All this is happening while the government struggles to pass new legislation. Ottawa starts to close down for the holidays and Good Talk assesses where things stand...
Normally if people are down about the economy they are angry at government. It’s more complicated right now, as people see economic pressures from outside our borders. Other than tagging every scandal something-gate, It’d be hard to find a more overused phrase in modern political analysis than “it’s the economy, stupid”. In 1992, James Carville wrote it on a sign...
Normally if people are down about the economy they are angry at government. It’s more complicated right now, as people see economic pressures from outside our borders. Other than tagging every scandal something-gate, It’d be hard to find a more overused phrase in modern political analysis than “it’s the economy, stupid”. In 1992, James Carville wrote it on a sign...
A week ago the talk was all about pipelines. Remember those days? Things have changed a lot in a mere seven days. It's been quite the week, especially in Quebec, where there are lessons for politicians across the country. Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson join the virtual discussion table again for some Good Talk.
When trying to image outcomes of US presidential elections, it’s normal to focus on a list of about 6-7swing states and more or less ignore the rest. What happens in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Michigan pretty much decide which candidate gets the required number of electoral college votes and moves into the White House. But a lot...
