Tom Parkin

LATEST STORIES BY TOM PARKIN

PARKIN: Trudeau's 2017 disappointment gives 2018 opportunity to Singh and Scheer

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau left 2017 on a downdraft. For the first time, more Canadians disapprove (49%) than approve (46%) of the job being done by him, according to a mid-December Angus Reid survey . Also worrying, only 32% said a change in government is not needed.

December 29, 2017 Columnists

(From left to right) NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer are seen in this combination shot. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young/Justin Tang/Sean Kilpatrick

PARKIN: With no signature success, Trudeau’s popularity faltered in 2017

Jean Chretien held a net positive approval rating for almost six years. Stephen Harper for just two. Now, two years and two months into his mandate, more Canadians disapprove of the job being done by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau than approve.

December 28, 2017 Columnists

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responds to a question in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

PARKIN: As child-care costs rise, some provinces push back on economic sexism

Once again — as if parents needed more proof — a major report shows unaffordable child care is hurting working class families. Fortunately, in some provincial capitals something is finally being done about it.

December 17, 2017 Columnists

Daycare workers demonstrate during their one-day province-wide strike on Oct. 30, 2017 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

PARKIN: Byelection results a fundraising warning for NDP

None of the four Monday byelections held any hope of a win for the NDP and new leader Jagmeet Singh.

December 14, 2017 Columnists

Jagmeet Singh celebrates with supporters after winning the first ballot in the NDP leadership race to be elected the leader of the federal New Democrats in Toronto on Sunday, October 1, 2017.

PARKIN: The blunt facts about Morneau's tax cut for the rich

There’s been massive anger at U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent “middle class tax cut”—and especially his deceptiveness, since his tax cut actually pays the biggest benefit to affluent Americans, not the middle class.

December 10, 2017 Columnists

Minister of Finance Bill Morneau responds to a question during Question Period in the House of Commons Thursday Nov.30, 2017 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

PARKIN: Morneau scandal shows middle class was never Liberals' top concern

It was always incredible that just over two years ago, 39% of Canadians fell to the hope that the Liberal Party’s top concern was the middle class.

December 4, 2017 Columnists

PARKIN: Morneau sides with shareholders, not Canadian workers

Perhaps it is not strange that executives running some of Canada’s biggest companies would choose to shortchange their employees’ pension plans, preferring instead to pay dividends to themselves and other shareholders.

November 26, 2017 Columnists

A store closing sign is shown on a Sears store at the Oakville Place mall on Nov. 23, 2017

PARKIN: Trudeau's peacekeeping plan turns its back on violence

A speech by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to a United Nations peacekeeping audience last week was condescending, largely untrue, an absolute embarrassment and dangerous.

November 17, 2017 Columnists

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses delegates during the 2017 United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial conference in Vancouver, B.C., on Wednesday November 15, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

PARKIN: Bill to start unrigging tax haven laws needs Canadians' support

We’ve had cash-for-access. Billionaire island. French villas. Ethical loopholes. Conflict of interest. Now it’s tax havens and tax dodging.

November 12, 2017 Columnists

NDP MP Murray Rankin speaks to the media in Ottawa in this April 9, 2013 file photo. (Andre Forget/Postmedia Network)

PARKIN: The not-shocking truth about Morneau's pension and infrastructure plans

Anyone who thinks Bill Morneau might get dropped as finance minister is forgetting a key fact: He does what investors and CEOs want from a finance minister.

November 5, 2017 Columnists

Minister of Finance Bill Morneau speaks with the media before Question Period on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa on Thursday, October 19, 2017. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)