1
About
Maple Media
Latest news and Bulletin updates
Monday March 10, 2025,
Issue #1
MAPLE MEDIA
by: Tan Kaur
Backstage Pass: Inside the Liberal Party’s Campaign Rollout
A behind-the-scenes look at the visuals, messaging, and momentum shaping the Liberal Party’s election bid.
On March 5, 2025, the Liberal Party invited Maple Media’s Editorial Team for an exclusive behind-thescenes look at their campaign photoshoot.
As election pressures mount, the party is ramping up its efforts. Current leadership candidate Rhyse Parker used this opportunity to showcase internal party unity while briefly addressing the power dynamics at play within the party. Parker emphasized, “Even if we do have different ideas as far as our campaign goes, and even if we disagree, we are able to see the value in every idea and then every policy, and then really narrow it down to what is gonna be best for Canada and what is gonna be best for people who do have faith in the Liberal Party.”
Picture by Tan Kaur. Liberal Party’s Campaign Behind the Scene. On the left, Rhyse Parker adressing her campaign team.
Opinion: The Disavowal of a Green Party Leadership Promise
Will Luca Rubino’s Leadership Bring Green Party on Track Amidst Internal Disagreements
Edited and Published by: Gadeer Alrahamawi
I arrived at the Toldo Nursing Center at 4:00 p.m., where I was greeted by campaign manager Alexander Kawalec. The photoshoot itself was a carefully curated affair, conducted by Rhyse Parker’s husband, Owen Parker. A proud and enthusiastic supporter of his wife’s candidacy, Owen expressed confidence in her ability to lead, stating, “She has a big role to fill, and I think she’s the perfect candidate for the job. All of Canada would really benefit from having her as prime minister.”
Though, I noticed four party members were absent from the campaign shoot. When requesting comments on the absence, campaign manager capitalized on the opportunity to highlight the social policy of the liberal than addressing the personal circumstances; underlining that her colleagues are absent due to the current “poor health care and lack of effective child care.”
Owen Parker also addressed the evolving power dynamics within the party, particularly regarding gender representation. “Yeah, I think it’s more female-dominated than in previous years, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing at all. We have a lot of very educated, very well-qualified women within the party. If anybody has a problem with that, they clearly have their own issues.”
As the campaign moves forward, the Liberal Party is preparing for the real test of leadership on March 17, 2025—when rhetoric will have to meet reality.
As the debate is nearing and polls are underway, the Green Party faces a leadership shift as members debate direction and unity. Alessia Marcon was voted the initial leader by the Green Party Members for her excellent professional portfolios. The party based their decision on Marcon’s potential of leadership and unity promise. A big mistake on the party’s part. As the campaign period gained ground, internal party opinion skewed and some members “felt that a change was necessary due to lack effort in attendance.” In a statement from the current party candidate, Luca Rubino stated that conflicts over strategic direction and leadership style sparked discussions on whether a change in leadership would better align with the party’s objectives. Following internal party discussion’s, internal leadership change vote took place. The vote again reflected the dichotomousness within the party, as Rubino won with a close 57.14% margin, excluding the running candidates which abstained. Some members hesitated, questioning if the change would improve strategy. After a discussion, the transition was finalized. While the party remains divided, Luca’s challenge will be uniting the team and staying focused on election goals as Canadian trade and climate changes remain under scrutiny and conservatives talks of military expansion in the artic region gains attraction. Luca has a big job ahead of him.
environmental issues. While his corporate accountability policies appeal to many, Luca’s ability to unite the electorate will be tested, especially with low voter turnout and struggle to gain traction among voters who feel the party’s priorities don’t align with their immediate concerns, like economic stability and security.
Contrary to Luca’s statement, party shows lack of concrete plan to appeal to a broader demograph and candidate has revealed no incentives to bridge the divides within his own party, as this internal discord could undermine his ability to effectively unify and lead the Green Party. The Green Party’s struggles with internal leadership, seen in past controversies with Elizabeth May’s and Annamie Paul’s leaderships, create a backdrop of skepticism. May’s leadership, while effective at times, saw moments of tension over direction, while Paul’s tenure was marked by significant internal conflict and divisions that ultimately led to her resignation. These leadership struggles raise the question of whether a male leader like Rubino can be the party’s new hope. Given the historical challenges of female leadership within the Green Party, with concerns over gender dynamics and party unity, Rubino’s leadership may be seen as a shift toward resolving these internal issues.
Rubino, as the leader of the Green Party of Canada, will face external challenges, particularly as opposite campaign policies undermine climate change efforts and promote military expansion. With voter turnout becoming increasingly important, Rubino’s leadership will need to address these issues head-on. His Party’s commitment to policies like the National Strategy Respecting Environmental Racism and the Environmental Justice Act, which mandates a national strategy to combat environmental racism, reflects a strong stance on social and
Green Party faces an uphill battle in securing broad-based support, especially given the growing disillusionment with political parties that prioritize short-term gains, such as military expansion, over climate action. Moreover, while Luca’s leadership is vital for the party’s direction, the internal divisions within the party may further complicate his ability to deliver a cohesive message to the public. He must not only confront the external opposition but also resolve his party’s internal tensions, or risk losing the momentum needed to challenge entrenched political structures.
by: Tan Kaur
Edited and Published by: Gadeer Alrahamawi
2
About
Maple Media
Latest news and Bulletin updates
Monday March 10, 2025,
Issue #2
MAPLE MEDIA
2025 Party Leadership Race Results
Candidates, Voter Turnout, Margins
Liberal Leadership Race
Tan Kaur
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Candidate Selected: Rhyse Lamont
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Vote Count: 7-0 (Unanimous decision)
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Turnout: 100% participation among eligible voters
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Party Confidence: Strong unity and full support behind Rhyse as the Liberal Party candidate
Conservative Leadership Race
Ashton Curtis
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Winner: Jacqueline Turner (Final Round: 6 votes)
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Runner-up: Eric Joshi (Final Round: 4 votes)
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Eliminated: Jameson Eaves (Round 1: 2 votes)
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Vote Margin: Turner won by 2 votes in the final round
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Turnout: 100% participation from party members
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Endorsements: No formal endorsements; candidates ran based on class skills market activity
NDP Leadership Race
Conservative Leadership Race
Ashton Curtis
Tan Kaur
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Candidates: Ali Hage Hassan vs. Misha Gagnidze
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Voter Turnout: 5/7 party members voted (excluding candidates)
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Result: Unanimous victory for Ali Hage Hassan
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Margin: 5-0 decision
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Initial Leader: Alessia Marcon , selected based on past leadership potential.
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Vote to Replace Leader: 4-3 in favor of change (excluding two members from voting).
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Turnout: 100% participation among eligible voters.
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Leadership Transition: Contested decision, with some hesitation over the timing of the change.
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Party Status: Divided but working toward unity under new leadership.
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Ashton Curtis
MAPLE MEDIA
Opinion: Jacqueline Turner is a Red Tory with a Joshi sized thorn in her side
Can she go against the winds of fate... or precedent?
Picture: edited by Tan Kaur. Source: Eric Joshi’s Instagram and Official Conservative Campaign Photos
In late February, Canada’s Conservatives held a closed leadership race. Shrouded in mystery, the race had two front-runners, Jacqueline Turner and Eric Joshi. Joshi, the first person of Indian descent to run as a leadership candidate for the party, campaigned on sentiments appealing to true blue conservatives, similar to Stephen Harper and Pierre Poilievre before him. While this approach worked for those mentioned, the party apparatus chose a different path, opting for the candidacy of Jacqueline Turner.
Turner’s candidacy appears to be a more moderate Conservative campaign, similar to that of Erin O’Toole and Joe Clark, though it is still in the early stages. Turner is running on economic policy and a
sovereigntist Canada First agenda to combat the threats of Donald Trump. A young and energetic leader, she has gained support within the party, but will her moderate beliefs and platform prevent her from winning over the more conservative base? O’Toole was unable to win new voters, and his pivot to the center alienated many in the Conservative base. It will also be interesting to see if the Tories can sell a female leader to their base.
The last time the Conservatives ran a moderate woman as leader, they saw their worst election showing. The phantom of Kim Campbell was the cause for the Conservatives’ eventual pivot to the right, after the 2003 unification. Have the times really changed in the heartland of Canadian Conservatism? The election of Danielle Smith to the premiership of Alberta shows that it may be the case. But Smith herself is a controversial figure and not a Red Tory. It is still too early to tell what her exact policies will be, but she may appear more moderate, especially to compete with the charismatic and ambitious Liberal leader, Rhyse Parker.
That still leaves a fundamental question: what does the campaign mean for the supporters of Eric Josh,
and more importantly, Joshi himself? Officially, Joshi remains a general consultant, which is a significant downgrade from the second most popular leadership candidate in the race. In a written statement to Maple Media, Joshi expressed that “If a mere loss is enough to weaken [his] resolve, then [his] resolve wasn’t strong enough to begin with.” Joshi’s true blue and reformist attitude could manifest itself into a third- party appeal in the general election, much like the “butthurt” leadership contender Maxime Bernier did in the 2019 election.
As of current, Joshi has not expressed interest in running third-party publicly, however, he may be politically advantageous to do so, especially since some true-blue conservatives may feel unrepresented in the more centrist coalition that Turner is attempting to build. The main test for Turner will be if she has the capabilities to steal support away from the Liberals while also not alienating the base—a balancing act that has only been done successfully by two men in the recent Conservative party history, Brian Mulroney and Stephen Harper. Turner is a young and energetic politician on the political scene, but I don’t think she has anywhere near the political rizz that the little guy from Baye-Comeau or Big Daddy Harper had.
Edited and Published by: Gadeer Alrahamawi
4
About
Maple Media
Latest news and Bulletin updates
Sunday
March 16, 2025
Issue #3
MAPLE MEDIA
by: Tan Kaur
Picture Edited By: Tan Kaur (Copyright Bruce MacKinnon and The Chronicle Herald), Source: Canva and Befunky.
Opinion: The Orange Crush May Have Arrived
How Ali Hage Hassan has both taken the NDP back to its roots while allowing the party to be effective in the 21st Century
by: Ashton Curtis
On March 11th, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the new leader of the NDP, Ali Hage Hassan, to discuss his party’s strategy in this consequential election. The London-Fanshawe hopeful outlined key policy decisions that would aid in making life more affordable for Canadians, both short-term and long-term. Hassan, who has never held formal elected office, entered the studio with confidence.
of today but also calls back to the NDP message of years past. Hassan had a certain aura about him that made him a leader like Jack Layton and even their party founder, Tommy Douglas—the Father of Canadian Medicare. He is a guy that lacks the folksy talent to deliver a speech like the infamous Mouseland or Cream Separator, but Hassan shows that he can harness what made the NDP great without moving center or using cringy TikTok ads. Indeed, Layton and Douglas succeeded not because they moved to the center like Singh and Mulcair, but because they were unapologetically true to their principles at times when the winds of change moved in their direction.
I must be honest; I have not seen this level of confidence in an NDP leader since Jack Layton, and his aura feels like a callback to a previous NDP—a more innocent and bolder NDP—but repackaged to meet the needs of Canadians in the year of our Lord, 2025.
I had the liberty to ask Hassan questions ranging from his past, core issues, and internal party politics. He criticized the former NDP leader, Jagmeet Singh, for “playing too nice with the Liberals” while also acknowledging Singh’s accomplishments with regard to bringing more energy to the party. In contrast to Singh, Hassan offers to end “half-measures” in reference to the small gains made in the 2022 Supply and Confidence Agreement while also committing to “bold” policy that is “unapologetically” for working families, students, and seniors struggling to pay for medications. Hassan described transformative change that would bring long-term help for people, as opposed to incremental short-term gains, as the previous leaders, like Singh and Mulcair, advocated for.
During his undergraduate studies and lived experience, Hassan developed an acute understanding of how the economy has been rigged against working people, and his policies advocate for change. In the interview, as well as in the NDP platform (I anticipate), he highlighted concrete steps to universal pharmacare, a plan to address the out-of-control housing prices, and higher corporate taxes to help bring revenue to pay for their social programs and invest in infrastructure. Hassan acknowledged that the most important issue facing Canadians today was wealth inequality—which describes not only the material realities
Jagmeet Singh “playing too nice with the Liberals
- Ali Hage Hassan
The NDP succeeds when they don’t try to out the Liberal Party but when they embrace their heritage, create policies that fit their working-class vision, and find ways to ensure they are realistic, bold, and costed. Hassan has this capability and has shown he can harness it. There is so much energy within Hassan’s team, more energy than Singh had in his past team. He can make headway with young people, seniors who feel disassociated with the policies of the Conservatives and Liberals, as well as their strong worker base, which is typically unionized. The tides are changing. Canadians have begun recognizing something has shifted in the economy and are looking for something different. Now, more than ever, is the New Democrats’ chance at governance. Rising cost of living, affordability crises, mass wealth inequality, and a range of anti-worker legislation coming from some provinces—these are the NDP’s bread and butter. Hassan and his team can harness this energy and transform it into votes. He just needs to make sure he does not fall into the same old traps of leaders past—by compromising the NDP vision for half-measures. He must stay firm if he is to form government and deliver for Canadians.
Edited and Published by: Gadeer Alrahamawi
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Photo editing credit: Gina Touma, sources: official campaign submission. editing sources: Canva
As Debate Looms, How Are Campaigns Making Their Policies Known?
Party Leaders Gear Up for Debate: Early Policy Announcements Set the Stage for Election Battle
by: Ben Troian
The election season is heating up as the debate between the party leaders is approaching fast, and as it draws near, each of the parties have released their opening salvo of policies they intend to run on. This is an important time for each party as what material they have made publicly available, either in the form of social media posts or interviews, will undoubtedly set the tone for both the debate and the campaigns moving forwards. The Liberals have, so far, published the most comprehensive policy outline to their media platforms out of all the parties. In these releases, they have zeroed in on cutting taxes, including reducing the capital gains tax, strengthening the Investment Canada Act, and expanding Canada’s trade horizons with new global partners. In a Q&A with Maple Media, Liberal leader Rhyse Parker stated that, “We’re eager to discuss how smart, forward-thinking economic policies can make life more affordable while keeping Canada prosperous, competitive, and socially inclusive in a rapidly changing world.” On the other hand, Conservative leader Jacqueline Turner spoke recently in an interview with Maple Media, stating, “Our primary policy focus is the economy … Many Canadians agree that the current economic situation has not been working in their favor, and addressing these concerns must remain a priority.” To this end they have promised a renewed housing policy, though the party has yet to release any specific strategy on what that will look like, perhaps saving any definitive statements for the debate. Meanwhile, the NDP have been very proactive in releasing
policy promises, targeting inequality as their central goal by focusing on raising the minimum wage and levying higher taxes on wealthy citizens and corporations. In an interview with Maple Media, NDP
leader Ali Hage Hassan said that housing and affordability was also chief concern for his party’s platform, stating, “The biggest issue Canadians are facing right now is the cost of living—everything from groceries to rent is getting too expensive, while big corporations rake in record profits, and we need real action to bring prices down, hold them accountable, and put Canadians first.” The Greens have published sparse material relating to their policy agenda, but have made broad statements regarding affordability, fair wages, and fixing inequality. Only two parties have mentioned Indigenous issues so far. The Greens have offered basic assurances for Indigenous rights while the NDP have promised to protect Indigenous land in the West. Interestingly, the Liberals lack of Indigenous acknowledgement on any of their media platforms is especially relevant for them as the party has campaigned on pipeline expansions as a primary policy goal, an issue that has historically been directly tied to Indigenous land rights. Overall, the Liberals and NDP have been the most outgoing with their future plans, with the Conservatives releasing many statements and interviews but publishing little in actual policy commitments. However, we are still in the early days of this election cycle, and with the debate looming, the party leaders are poised to assert both themselves and their policies on a larger stage.
Page 2
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Maple Media
Sunday
March 25, 2025
Issue #4
Latest news and Bulletin updates
MAPLE MEDIA
Opinion: The NDP has become the true Official Opposition
How the Conservative campaign got swallowed by the Liberals and the New Democrats and how their alleged “alliance” with the Liberals will hurt them in the general election
by: Ashton Curtis
Last Monday, I had the esteemed pleasure of moderating the 2025 Federal Leadership debate at the Armouries in Windsor, Ontario. The debate was lively and constructive. Since leadership debates began in Canada—and began being televised—it has always been the Liberal leader and the Conservative leader at war, in a manner rhetorically similar to Napoleon Bonaparte and the Duke of Wellington. The NDP has often been sidelined in these debates as not the real threat, much like the Prussian von Blücher, to continue this Waterloo analogy. If you do not know who von Blücher is, that further proves the NDP’s traditional role of irrelevancy. However, the debate I moderated last Monday was significantly different and unlike any debate seen in recent years. Rather than the Liberals and Conservatives at each other, the NDP leader Ali Hage Hassan stepped into the Duke of Wellington role, with the Conservative leader Jacqueline Turner taking a back seat in the debate.
To Ms. Turner’s credit, she had her moments of strength, particularly highlighting her impressive credentials in environmental science and education and highlighted a few issues with the policy initiatives of the other parties; however, these moments were vastly overshadowed by war of words between Liberal leader Rhyse Parker and Mr. Hassan. This speaks to the larger issue of the Conservative campaign itself. In a previous Op-Ed, I made the assertion that Turner was a Red Tory; an assertion she confirmed in the debate by stating, “I have been accused of being a Red Tory... and I don’t see a problem with that [sic].” I rightly predicted that her pivot to the centre would cost her with relation to the more socially conservative members of the Conservative base. The possibility of this alienation has increased due to her admission of being pro-choice and showing her “unwavering support for female bodily autonomy” during the open debate last Monday. As I said previously, Ms. Turner cannot ‘out-Liberal’ the Liberal Party, especially given their recent pivot to the right, under Rhyse Parker. Thus, I propose a question to Turner: why would Conservative voters (specifically fiscal conservatives) vote Conservative when the Parker Liberals are advocating for fiscally conservative policies?
Don’t believe me? Both parties support ending the provincial trade barriers, capping the number of temporary foreign workers in Canada, diplomacy with President Donald Trump over the “shoot back” strategy of Mr. Hassan, and lowering the capital gains tax. And the Liberals have even adopted traditional Conservative Party positions, such as scrapping the consumer carbon tax, developing pipelines in Canada, and proposing new free trade agreements (FTAs)—like the proposed ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) FTA, strengthening of the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership), and deeper trade with Mexico and China. Those were the positions of the prior Conservative government, ten years ago. Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, for instance, holds the record of signing the most trade agreements of any Prime Minister in Canadian history. Thus, the Liberals are actually running a more Conservative campaign akin to the Martin years, which further sucks the air out of the Conservative Party’s sails. This campaign strategy leaves the Conservatives effectively useless to the electorate.
Not only that, but Hassan positioned himself to be the true anti-Liberal candidate in debate last Monday. While Parker and Turner found themselves in more agreement than disagreement, Hassan was on the attack—an attack that could be translated into the progressive response to the Liberals and redundant Conservatives. The lack of attack from Turner showcases the Conservatives losing ground and losing control of the narrative. Hassan, on the other hand, proved himself able to take on “Liberal corporate greed” and “Conservative cuts.” By showing strength and assertiveness, Hassan took advantage of the Conservative’s weak debate performance and attacked the strong Liberal leader.
To be honest, it is no wonder then that there are rumours circulating that the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party are in talks of forming a ‘strategic alliance.’ This has been unprecedented in Canadian politics and further emphasizes the Conservative fall from grace. The sources of these rumours both wish to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, but stress that coalition talks have taken place. I took the initiative of reaching out to both the Liberal Party and Conservative Party for official statements. Both the Liberals and Conservatives deny the unholy alliance, but both agree that “they recognize the value of engaging with their established policy platform where common ground can be found” and that “progress comes through dialogue.” This “dialogue,” whether just rumours or actual fact, cannot be good for the Conservative Party’s fortunes. These discussions only serve the interests of the Liberal Party, who only want to take votes away from the Conservatives, and help the electoral fortunes of the NDP, who has stepped up in the wake of Conservative weakness.
To leave the reader with my final thoughts, I do not think the Conservatives know what they are doing. The Liberals and New Democrats clearly know what they are doing. I do believe that if the Conservatives don’t change strategy immediately, Turner will have her own Waterloo—kissing Official Opposition goodbye, and maybe even official party status.
Edited and Published by: Gadeer Alrahamawi
7
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Maple Media
Thursday
March 27, 2025
Issue #5
Latest news and Bulletin updates
MAPLE MEDIA
The Party Leaders Debate: Who Came Out Stronger?
How did the parties present themselves and what are they taking away from Monday’s electrifying leadership debate?
by: Ben Troian
On Monday, the leaders of Canada’s major parties took the stage for the sole leadership debate of the 2025 election cycle. The event provided each leader a clear platform for their messaging and allowed them a single chance to define themselves to a broader audience. But how did each party perform, and who distinguished themselves the best? While no candidate definitively rose above another, each had their own successes and shortcomings that deserve to be highlighted.
For the Liberals, it was a tough debate as the party bore the brunt of attacks from the other leaders. One of the main challenges for the Liberals has been their goal of separating their current party leader, Rhyse Parker, from the record of her polarizing predecessor, Justin Trudeau. At many points in the debate, Parker fought off attempts by her opponents to link her with Trudeau, especially by NDP leader Ali Hage Hassan, who said that Parker was, “… a new face to old promises that will always be broken.” However, Parker assured that she had the “faith and full support” of her party and emphasised that she was her own person with her own policies. She faced the other candidates head on when required and managed to get some digs in of her own. A notable clash came in only the second question of the debate. Green party leader Luca Rubino attacked the Liberal policy of reduced immigration, stating that the country needs more temporary foreign workers, to which Parker responded arguing that the housing did not exist for them, firing back, “Are they going to live with you?” The Liberals have come out of the debate continuing to be the party with the most comprehensive policy plan, and indeed, Parker took the debate as an opportunity to clarify many of her party's positions, emphasising economic growth, expanding trade, reducing red-tape, and protecting social services implemented by the previous government, such as dental care and daycare plans. She also clarified her party’s commitment to Indigenous consultation along with the construction of new pipelines, something lacking in Liberal messaging up to this point. An interesting announcement from the debate was Parker’s promise to a “pause” on admitting new temporary foreign workers to Canada, a policy alluded to above, and also stark contrast to the rhetoric of the Trudeau government. Liberal party campaign manager, Alexandra Kawalec, said that the main takeaway should be the strength of the Liberal party and Rhyse Parker as party leader, stating, “… we were the strongest in outlining what we're going to do to help Canadians and Canada in the very [geopolitically] uncertain future.” She also took a shot at the other parties, expressing that they should have outlined their own policies better instead of focusing on attacking the Liberals. Overall, the Liberals came out of the debate bruised but certainly not beaten.
The Conservatives, comparatively, had an easier time but still with their own share of issues. Conservative leader, Jacqueline Turner, affirmed her position as leader by addressing potential concerns over the party’s leadership race, stating that “… differences are important to address … [it is] important for leaders to be held accountable.” To that point, Turner was criticized by the other candidates for apparent similarities her campaign shared with the Liberals, to which she responded, “I may have been called a Red Tory in the past, and you know what, I don’t think that’s a bad thing.” Turner also made several policy announcements on stage. One significant announcement from the Conservatives was their Direct Housing Action Plan, an initiative to fast-track the construction of new housing. Cost of living and fiscal responsibility has been the two main policy focuses for the Conservatives and was a main feature during the debate. Other announcements included reducing the deficit, small cuts to pharmacare, cutting the number of temporary foreign workers in Canada, and reducing interprovincial trade barriers. Taylor Lafontaine, campaign manager for the Conservatives, affirmed his party’s core tenants in a post-debate Maple Media interview, stating, “I think that the biggest thing we can see out of this debate is the NDP and the Greens have not adequately addressed where the money is coming from for their policy proposals … At some point the cost is going to come due for Canadian’s and I question whether Canadians would be willing to incur the costs of [the NDP and Green proposals]. For the Conservatives, their “Red Tory” approach might link them too heavily with the Liberals to sway some, but with their strong messaging on fiscal and housing policy, it might be enough to sway others.
For the NDP, their debate performance could be summed up with one word: attack! The party’s leader, Ali Hage Hassan, took a combative approach when up against his fellow candidates, treating the debate stage less like an open forum and more like a boxing ring. He mainly targeting the Liberals and their party leader, Rhyse Parker, following his party’s campaign strategy of focusing on the two larger parties, as can be seen in their social media post on March 21st lambasting the decline of homeownership under the previous governments of Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau. In the debate itself, Ali Hage took swing after swing at the other parties as often as he could, with the Liberals bearing the brunt of them. He attacked the lack of pipelines built under the previous Liberal government, criticized their deepening of the country’s deficit as wasteful, and accused them of subsidising carbon producing industries. However, in the flurry of attacks on other candidates, Ali Hage perhaps struggled to announce many thorough policies of his own, such as dodging the question on immigration. On the other hand, he set himself apart by taking a strong stance against pipelines, advocating Indigenous rights, and putting a price on pollution. In an interview after the debate with Maple Media, he stated that, “These big corporations need to pay for their pollution. End of story.” In the same interview, Ali Hage said, “We have seen what these governments have been able to do for you. The answer is ⎯ not much … We are the better option. We need to stop looking for bad or worse and start looking for best.” Campaign manager for the NDP, Benjamin McJannet, added that he was confident in his leader’s performance, describing him as, “competent and very confident,” adding that the key takeaway for his party was holding the other parties accountable for their past actions and wrongdoings.
Finally, the Greens had a solid performance with consistent messaging throughout the debate. Their leader, Luca Rubino, managed an admirable presentation of his party’s platform, filled with the hallmarks of traditional Green policy such as moving to green energy, increasing corporate tax, rejection of pipelines, and advocacy for climate change. However, there were two standout policies. Rubino’s commitment to bringing in more temporary foreign workers set him apart from his opponents, all of whom held unlike positions. He also announced that his party would be advocating for a universal basic income plan scheme, or Guaranteed Livable Income, paid for by a tax on Canada’s wealthiest 1%. Post-debate, Rubino expressed his desire for Canadians to come together, “Let's fight for a greener economy, more jobs, renewable energy, and to make sure Canada itself is safe.” Green party social media director, Alessia Marcon, said of the debate that, “ [Rubino] took a strong stance on what really matters on what really matters … we have to stand together as Canadians on what truly matters, which is the housing crisis and climate change,” and said that Rubino “ … stood firm on what we truly believe as the Green Party.” For such a crowded debate, the Greens did well in distinguishing themselves from their opponents, though election day will determine if it was enough.
While the debate did not have any winner, it certainly did not have any clear losers. After hours of back and forth, it can be definitely said that the debate ended with all sides coming out stronger than before, and with the election only a week away, it is still anyone’s game. The real winner will be decided on Election Day, March 31st.
Edited and Published by: Gadeer Alrahamawi
8
About
Maple Media
Thursday
March 27, 2025
Issue #6
Latest news and Bulletin updates
MAPLE MEDIA
Opinion: The NDP’s Obsession with the Military Industrial Complex
How the Conservative Defense Policy is Exactly What Canada Needs
by: Ashton Curtis
I think it's safe to say that the Conservative Party of Canada does not like me very much. Even though my critiques have been mostly about the way they have conducted their campaign, I have been accused by them of lacking “journalistic integrity.” However, I have yet to comment on their actual policy in any substantial manner—and that is my own fault. The Conservative Party is not a bad party. They have good people running and good policy. One area where the Conservatives have an impressive policy initiative is the defense policy—of which the NDP’s response has been overblown.
NDP leader, Ali Hage Hassan alleged that the Conservatives wanted to join the same military industrial complex that has plagued the United States. He argued that the Conservative military plan would force Canada to enter foreign “forever wars.” However, these assertions have no basis in fact, given what is written in the Conservative platform, especially given the country’s finances after ten years of Liberal governance. I reached out to the Conservatives for a statement on the NDP’s attack on their defense policy, and they asserted that if such a military industrial complex existed in Canada, “The military would not have spent the last three decades struggling to modernize its equipment,” which has caused the Armed Forces to “suffered in its ability to defend Canada’s shores from hostile interests.” The Conservatives stressed deterrence and defense, rather than foreign invasions of other countries.
So what exactly does the Conservative platform say on military and defense? They advocate for meeting the NATO 3% of GDP military spending target. They also want to completely modernize the equipment for the Canadian Armed Forces—which has been out of date for decades. For example, they promise to construct River-class destroyer ships and warships by 2050, as well as fighter jets and submarines. The Conservatives also advocate for increased Arctic presence to strengthen Canadian sovereignty, as well as the modernization the Canadian cyber defense programs. All of these strengthen the military in a way that deters countries from showing aggression to Canada.
I believe these are strong concrete plans that will have positive effects on Canadian defense and Canada’s soft power capabilities. Firstly, the military is in desperate need of modernization, as it has not been updated in many years. It has been said that if a NATO country was attacked, only 48% of Canada’s military would be qualified to be deployed. Secondly, the Conservative plan would better protect Canadian sovereignty. In a time when Canada is facing annexation threats from the USA and threats in the Arctic from Russia and China. Since Trump has cozied up to China and threatened our sovereignty with the “51st State” talks, Canada cannot rely on the USA for security and military protection anymore. The Conservative plan would build up our military to deter these threats and give Canada much needed self-respect from these countries.
And finally, the Conservative plan would allow for Canada to regain some national pride. Since 2000, the number of Canadian-led peacekeeping missions have decreased dramatically. When former Prime Minister, then a diplomat, Lester B. Pearson won the Noble Peace Prize for creating the first UN Peacekeeping Mission for the Suez Crisis in 1956, the Canadian peacekeeping has been a form of national pride ever since, and a reinvigorated Canadian military could once again play a crucial role in peacekeeping. Given the wars in Syria, Yemen, Palestine, and Ukraine, a modernized Canadian military could lead peacekeeping operations in these areas and find meaningful resolutions while also promoting Canadian soft power. The Conservatives asserted that peacekeeping missions were not a top priority for them, but I believe that their opinion on that can be altered, especially given the volatile state of global affairs currently.
These are measures that must be taken if Canada is to survive the 21st century. While the NDP has some valid criticism of the Conservatives on affordability and climate change, their criticisms of their defense policies are unwarranted. No, the Conservatives do not support the military industrial complex and the endless wars—at least not publicly anyways. Their leader, Jacqueline Turner, openly declared herself a “Red Tory,” which further distances herself and the party from the establishment in America and the former pro-war Harper Government. Turner’s campaign, which I have criticized to some degree, is more of a call back to the progressive conservatism of Joe Clark and Erin O’Toole, rather than Republican-style conservatism of Stephen Harper and Pierre Poilievre—and that is not necessarily a bad thing. I think it is good that the Conservatives are adapting to the times and no longer embracing the far-right elements of their party, many of whom support the military industrial complex. In any case, the Conservative plan on defense is exactly what Canada needs in these unprecedented times and is worth considering by the government, regardless of who forms the government.
Edited and Published by: Gadeer Alrahamawi
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March 27, 2025
Issue #7
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In a Heated Race, How Are Party’s Making Their Final Push?
Coming into the final week of the election cycle, with the campaigns choosing either a combative or affirmative approach to messaging, which will resonate with voters more?
by: Ben Troian
As the 2025 election cycle is coming to a close in mere days, there remains no clear frontrunner among the parties. Since we are coming up to the election date, it is worth taking a look at how the parties are presenting themselves. Each party seems to have their own approaches. In order to get a better grasp on the electoral battleground on the road to March 31st, let's have a look at what the party's closing messages have been. While releasing attack ads is certainly not unusual, especially towards the end of an election period, what is notable is that only two campaigns have released them.
A surprising rivalry coming out of the debate has been the Liberals and the NDP. Both parties have, so far, been the only ones to release negative ads attacking each other; not be a surprise that the Liberals and NDP have released negative ads on each other to anyone who watched the debate considering the two clashed the most often. The Liberals chose to attack the leader of the NDP, Ali Hage Hassan, directly, calling out his perceived sexist rhetoric in a Maple Media interview where he described how Liberal leader Rhyse Parker, “… seems to be an amazing spouse,” when asked to give an opinion on her. The ad goes on to say, “It’s time to stop defining women by their marital status.” The NDP ad, on the other hand, harkens back to Ali Hage’s performance during the debate and his efforts to link Rhyse Parker with Justin Trudeau and his unpopular government. What these ads represent is arguably more interesting than the ads themselves. Both attack the image of each party leader, and rather than choosing specific policies to criticize, they instead chose to define the candidate in question. However, keeping with the aggressive push the party has undertaken during this election, the NDP have not only taken shots at the Liberals, but the Conservatives as well.
They have called into question Turner’s commitment to offering an alternative to Parker. The ad ends with the text, “A Liberal wearing a blue coat doesn’t sound any better” (an analogy that might have made more sense if Turner was actually wearing a blue coat during the debate, but I digress). Interestingly, the Conservatives have put out no negative ads attacking the other parties, instead releasing more positive ads espousing their own policies. It matches with the more toned-down campaign Turner and her team have decided to undertake; non-combative during the debate and non-confrontational on the advertising front. In fact, it is very similar to the strategy the Greens have adopted. Rubino has said that he wanted to focus on policy, so it makes sense their media presence follows this line of thinking. However, there is also the risk for both Greens and Conservatives alike that this toned-down method backfires during the election. On the other hand, the aggression from the Liberals and NDP could be a turn off for some voters who instead want a party more focused on the issues rather than taking political pot shots. At the end of the day, all the parties can do now is pray they have gotten their message out there and hope for the best on election day. Each party will certainly need all the luck they can get.
Edited and Published by: Gadeer Alrahamawi
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March 27, 2025
Issue #8
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Photo by The Canadian Press/Cole Burston
The Missing Right
Are Canadian Campaigns Favoring the Left and Center, Leaving Right-Wing?
Tan Kaur
Canada's political landscape has traditionally seen a balance between left, center, and right-wing ideologies, each offering distinct visions for governance. However, in the current election campaign, a striking trend has emerged: political platforms appear to be clustering around centrist and progressive policies, leaving conservative voices struggling to gain traction. Unlike previous elections where the right could rally around issues such as fiscal responsibility, deregulation, and conservative social policies, this campaign sees the Canadian Tories more isolated, defending principles that are increasingly framed as out of step with the dominant political climate. It is becoming more apparent that true opposition is readjusting toward NDP with Hassan taking a strong anti-establishment stance against Parker and Turner. Green Party under Rubino is opting for a policy-focused campaign rather than an ideological realignment. Considering that, are we looking at an ideological shift of our political spectrum? What happens to traditional conservative voters of Canada? As conservative voices struggle to gain traction, Is this an organic shift in public opinion, or has the political system itself been structured in a way that sidelines right-wing perspectives? A review of the policy platforms from the Liberal, Green, and New Democratic (NDP) parties in this election suggests that there is a significant intersectionality on key issues, particularly in housing, environmental policy, and economic regulation. While all current parties differ in their approaches, the foundation of their policy remains the same: supporting increased government intervention, regulatory expansions, and progressive taxation structure. For instance, the Liberal Party's housing platform emphasizes stricter regulations on real estate investments, long-term rental protections, and extended bans on foreign ownership. Similarly, the NDP has prioritized aggressive rent control measures, development incentives for affordable housing, and government intervention to curb speculation. Even the Green Party, which traditionally focuses on environmental policy above all, has placed significant emphasis on an issue-driven campaign that aligns closely with center-left economic and housing policies rather than a distinct ideological alternative.
This comes in light after Rubino criticized the popular narrative of leader-based campaign. Interestingly, even the Conservative Party itself has shifted away from a hardline right-wing stance, positioning itself closer to the center-right rather than traditional Tory values. While advocating for traditional right-wing principles like tax cuts and market-driven solutions, their policies also acknowledge the necessity of government intervention. The Direct Housing Action Plan (DHAP) proposes policing rental price gouging, regulating speculative purchasing, and allowing municipalities to restrict investor ownership, aligning more with centrist interventionist approaches than laissez-faire conservatism. The plan still incorporates free-market elements, but conservatives are accepting a larger government role than past CPC housing policies. Their policies call for harmonizing labor licenses and trade barriers across provinces, making it easier for workers to relocate, marking a shift from traditional conservative “provinces-first” approach, which defends provincial autonomy from federal standardization to more centrist trans-provincial approach. Conservatives under Turner has shifted from cultural protectionism to economic progression. It is looking like for Turner; it’s about economic pragmatism rather than ideological restrictionism. This fits to broader trend of social issues taking backseat to economic progress. While military expansion is a classic CPC stance, committing to potential 3.5% of GDP by 2032 is an unusually aggressive proposal that is bigger-government than traditional CPC policy, even exceeding NATO’s 2% target. Rather than strictly adhering to right-wing economic and social conservatism, Turner blended traditional conservative priorities (lower taxes, free trade, stronger military) with pragmatic centrist policies (housing regulation, selective immigration, clean energy). It leaves behind hard-right populism in favor of a moderate conservative vision, which appeal to both fiscal conservatives and centrist voters. This adaptation signals a conservative platform that is more in line with pragmatism than ideological purity, reflecting a strategic attempt to remain electorally viable in a shifting political landscape. This raises key questions: Are traditional Tory voters finding themselves
politically homeless? Has there been a fundamental shift in the electorate's values, or is the structure of the campaign itself favoring progressive and centrist narratives? While progressive policies have gained momentum, it is also worth considering whether structural factors within the campaign have contributed to the marginalization of conservative ideas. The Liberals, NDP, and Greens have collectively emphasized indirect coalition-building, aligning their platforms in ways that reinforce shared policy objectives. This, in turn, isolates the Conservative Party, forcing them to defend an ideological space that is increasingly contested or dismissed outright. Moreover, the campaign rhetoric has leaned heavily on themes of government responsibility, wealth redistribution, and climate action, framing deregulation and free-market approaches as inadequate or outdated solutions. This makes it harder for conservative policies to gain mainstream appeal, even when they offer alternative solutions to pressing issues such as housing affordability and economic growth. According to Angus Reid 2024, overall, one-in-three (36%) Canadians believe “all the political parties are too extreme in their views”. Approaching half (47%) of those who place themselves in the middle of the political spectrum say they “feel like a political orphan”, making them the most likely to hold this view. Perhaps Turner’s policy team, especially Jacob Laflamme is in touch these statistics and is making conservatism the ideology that resonates with Canadians. If this campaign is a reflection of broader political trends, it suggests a narrowing space for right-wing voices in Canadian politics. Traditional conservative arguments for smaller government and deregulation now face a political environment where progressive interventionism is the default stance and Canadian seek centrist approach. For conservatives, this means re-evaluating their messaging and coalition strategies to remain relevant in a shifting electorate.
Ultimately, the question remains: Is Canada witnessing a long-term ideological shift toward the left and center, or is this election simply a temporary alignment of political interests? Either way, the absence of a strong right-wing presence in this campaign raises important concerns about the diversity of political discourse and the future of conservatism in the country.
Edited and Published by: Gadeer Alrahamawi
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March 27, 2025
Issue #9
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Opinion: It’s a White Femininomenon
Parker’s DEI Strategy Under Scrutiny Amid Liberal Party Commitments to Inclusion
Tan Kaur
The Liberal Party has long positioned itself as a champion of Canada’s multicultural identity, with policies emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Under the Canada Multiculturalism Act, the party has committed resources to combating discrimination, including racism, Islamophobia, and antisemitism. However, as the party shifts under new leadership, questions are being raised about whether its commitment to DEI remains as robust as in previous years.
Rhyse Parker, campaigning under the slogan "I am not Justin Trudeau," has made it clear that she is not, unlike Trudeau who rigidly clung to DEI policies, Parker seem more interested in the word than the policy. While Trudeau’s tenure saw an explicit push for diversity in both policy and representation, Parker’s campaign strategy is drawing scrutiny for its perceived inconsistencies between rhetoric and action.
During a recent campaign strategy presentation, the Liberal Party emphasized its continued commitment to inclusivity, showcasing a diverse team behind Parker’s bid for leadership. However, reports indicate that while 28% of Parker’s team consists of BIPOC women, these individuals have been notably excluded from the campaign’s visual materials. Among them are Aulterlee Porte and Zizi Hassoun, the only women of color on Parker’s team, whose omission from public-facing media has prompted questions about the depth of Parker’s commitment to DEI. In politics, optics play an important role in shaping public perception. While Parker’s campaign touts an all-female team as a sign of gender inclusivity, the lack of racial and gender diversity in its public-facing representation has led to criticism. The absence of BIPOC team members in campaign materials stands in
stark contrast to previous Liberal campaigns, which featured high-profile racialized candidates such as Randeep Sarai and Mélanie Joly in prominent roles. This begs the question: Despite BIPOC women being part of her campaign team, why are all faces for messaging white? Where is Porte and Hassoun when it comes to campaigning?
According to Statistics Canada’s 2021 data, Ottawa Centre—the riding in which Parker is running—is predominantly white, with 85% of residents identifying as ethnically or culturally European or White, while 12.5% fall under categories classified as BIPOC. Analysts suggest that Parker’s campaign strategy may be influenced by these demographic realities. However, the exclusion of visible minorities from her campaign’s public imagery has raised concerns about whether diversity is being genuinely embraced or merely acknowledged behind the scenes. Historically, the Liberal Party has responded to concerns about inclusivity by making visible course corrections. Trudeau’s 2015 commitment to gender parity in his cabinet was a direct response to criticism about representation, leading to the establishment of a 50/50 gender-balanced federal cabinet. The party has also been quick to adjust its messaging and policies when concerns about tokenism or underrepresentation have arisen.
Mrs. Parker is not new in the realm of tokenism; similar issues have surfaced in other parties as well. In 2021, the Conservative Party faced backlash after unveiling a campaign ad that lacked visible minority representation, despite the party’s claims of championing inclusivity. Conservatives have since improved under Turner’s leadership, with campaign strategy visibly including BIPOC in her campaign, a smart move. Similarly,
the New Democratic Party (NDP) faced criticism in 2019 when internal reports revealed that racialized candidates were underfunded compared to their white counterparts, raising questions about systemic barriers within the party. These controversies underline how all major Canadian parties have struggled with balancing representation with substantive policy commitments. The current scrutiny of Parker’s campaign raises the question of whether similar adjustments will be made. While political campaigns should not resort to tokenism, ensuring authentic representation remains a key factor in maintaining credibility. If Parker’s team includes a diverse group of women shaping policy and strategy, why are they not being featured more prominently in the campaign’s outward messaging?
Public perception will likely play a vital role in shaping Parker’s electoral prospects. Her campaign’s approach to DEI will be closely watched, especially as critics continue to highlight inconsistencies between stated values and visual representation.
The coming weeks will determine whether Parker’s campaign recalibrates its strategy or follow the example of her Liberal predecessors. Who, when criticized, are proactive in addressing shortcomings and making adjustments to avoid missteps that could undermine their credibility on issues of inclusion. With the election approaching, voters will be left to decide whether Parker’s commitment to inclusion is reflective of the Liberal Party’s historical stance—or if it represents a departure from it.
Edited and Published by: Gadeer Alrahamawi
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March 28, 2025
Issue #10
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Picture Credit: Taylor Lafontaine, March 17, 2025 at University of Windsor Armouries.
The Party Leaders Debate: Who Came Out Stronger?
How well did the parties present themselves and what are they taking away from Monday’s electrifying leadership debate?
Ben Troian
On Monday, the leaders of Canada’s major parties took the stage for the sole leadership debate of the 2025 election cycle. The event provided each leader a clear platform for their messaging and allowed them a single chance to define themselves to a broader audience. But how did each party perform, and who distinguished themselves the best? While no candidate definitively rose above another, each had their own successes and shortcomings that deserve to be highlighted.
For the Liberals, it was a tough debate as the party bore the brunt of attacks from the other leaders. One of the main challenges for the Liberals has been their goal of separating their current party leader, Rhyse Parker, from the record of her polarizing predecessor, Justin Trudeau. At many points in the debate, Parker fought off attempts by her opponents to link her with Trudeau, especially by NDP leader Ali Hage Hassan, who said that Parker was, “… a new face to old promises that will always be broken.” However, Parker assured that she had the “faith and full support” of her party and emphasized that she was her own person with her own policies. She faced the other candidates head on when required and managed to get some digs in of her own. A notable clash came in only the second question of the debate. Green party leader Luca Rubino attacked the Liberal policy of reduced immigration, stating that the country needs more temporary foreign workers, to which Parker responded arguing that the housing did not exist for them, firing back, “Are they going to live with you?” The Liberals have come out of the debate continuing to be the party with the most comprehensive policy plan, and indeed, Parker took the debate as an opportunity to clarify many of her party's positions, emphasizing economic growth, expanding trade, reducing red-tape, and protecting social services implemented by the previous government, such as dental care and daycare plans. She also clarified her party’s commitment to Indigenous consultation along with the construction of new pipelines, something lacking in Liberal messaging up to this point. An interesting announcement from the debate was Parker’s promise to a “pause” on admitting new temporary
foreign workers to Canada, a policy alluded to above, and also stark contrast to the rhetoric of the Trudeau government. Liberal party campaign manager, Alexandra Kawalec, said that the main takeaway should be the strength of the Liberal party and Rhyse Parker as party leader, stating, “… we were the strongest in outlining what we're going to do to help Canadians and Canada in the very [geopolitically] uncertain future.” She also took a shot at the other parties, expressing that they should have outlined their own policies better instead of focusing on attacking the Liberals. Overall, the Liberals came out of the debate bruised but certainly not beaten.
The Conservatives, comparatively, had an easier time but still with their own share of issues. Conservative leader, Jacqueline Turner, affirmed her position as leader by addressing potential concerns over the party’s leadership race, stating that “… differences are important to address … [it is] important for leaders to be held accountable.” To that point, Turner was criticized by the other candidates for apparent similarities her campaign shared with the Liberals, to which she responded, “I may have been called a Red Tory in the past, and you know what, I don’t think that’s a bad thing.” Turner also made several policy announcements on stage. One significant announcement from the Conservatives was their Direct Housing Action Plan, an initiative to fast-track the construction of new housing. Cost of living and fiscal responsibility has been the two main policy focuses for the Conservatives and was a main feature during the debate. Other announcements included reducing the deficit, small cuts to pharmacare, cutting the number of temporary foreign workers in Canada, and reducing interprovincial trade barriers. Taylor Lafontaine, campaign manager for the Conservatives, affirmed his party’s core tenants in a post-debate Maple Media interview, stating, “I think that the biggest thing we can see out of this debate is the NDP and the Greens have not adequately addressed where the money is coming from for their policy proposals … At some point the cost is going to come due for Canadian’s and I question whether Canadians would be willing to
incur the costs of [the NDP and Green proposals]. For the Conservatives, their “Red Tory” approach might link them too heavily with the Liberals to sway some, but with their strong messaging on fiscal and housing policy, it might be enough to sway others. For the NDP, their debate performance could be summed up with one word: attack! The party’s leader, Ali Hage Hassan, took a combative approach when up against his fellow candidates, treating the debate stage less like an open forum and more like a boxing ring. He mainly targeting the Liberals and their party leader, Rhyse Parker, following his party’s campaign strategy of focusing on the two larger parties, as can be seen in their social media post on March 21st lambasting the decline of homeownership under the previous governments of Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau. In the debate itself, Ali Hage took swing after swing at the other parties as often as he could, with the Liberals bearing the brunt of them. He attacked the lack of pipelines built under the previous Liberal government, criticized their deepening of the country’s deficit as wasteful, and accused them of subsidizing carbon producing industries. However, in the flurry of attacks on other candidates, Ali Hage perhaps struggled to announce many thorough policies of his own, such as dodging the question on immigration. On the other hand, he set himself apart by taking a strong stance against pipelines, advocating Indigenous rights, and putting a price on pollution. In an interview after the debate with Maple Media, he stated that, “These big corporations need to pay for their pollution. End of story.” In the same interview, Ali Hage said, “We have seen what these governments have been able to do for you. The answer is ⎯ not much … We are the better option. We need to stop looking for bad or worse and start looking for best.” Campaign manager for the NDP, Benjamin McJannet, added that he was confident in his leader’s performance, describing him as, “competent and very confident,” adding that the key takeaway for his party was holding the other parties accountable for their past actions and wrongdoings.
Edited and Published by: Gadeer Alrahamawi
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March 28, 2025
Issue #11
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Picture Credit: Taylor Lafontaine, March 17, 2025 at University of Windsor Armouries.
Ashton Curtis
Opinion: The NDP has become the true Official Opposition
How the Conservative campaign was swallowed by the Liberals and the New Democrats and how their alleged “alliance” with the Liberals will hurt them in the general election .
Last Monday, I had the esteemed pleasure of moderating the 2025 Federal Leadership debate at the Armouries in Windsor, Ontario. The debate was lively and constructive. Since leadership debates began—and began being televised—it has always been the Liberal leader and the Conservative leader at war, in a manner rhetorically similar to Napoleon Bonaparte and the Duke of Wellington. The NDP has often been sidelined in these debates as not the real threat, much like the Prussian von Blücher, to continue this Waterloo analogy. However, the debate I moderated last Monday was significantly different and unlike any debate seen in recent years. Rather than the Liberals and Conservatives at each other, the NDP leader Ali.
Hage Hassan stepped into the role of the Duke of Wellington, with the Conservative leader Jacqueline Turner taking a back seat in the debate o Ms. Turner’s credit, she had her moments of strength, particularly highlighting her impressive credentials in environmental science and education; however, these moments were vastly overshadowed by war of words between Liberal leader Rhyse Parker and Mr. Hassan. This speaks to the larger issue of the Conservative campaign itself. In a previous Op-Ed, I made the assertion that Turner was a Red Tory; an assertion she confirmed in the debate by stating, “I have been accused of being a Red Tory... and I don’t see a problem with that [sic].” I rightly also asserted that her pivot to the centre would cost her with relation to the more socially conservative members of the Conservative base. The possibility of this alienation has increased due to her admission of being pro-choice and showing her “unwavering support for female bodily autonomy” during the open debate last Monday. As I said previously, Ms. Turner cannot ‘out-Liberal’ the Liberal Party, especially given their recent pivot to the right, under Rhyse Parker. Thus, I propose a question to Turner: why would Conservative voters (specifically fiscal conservatives) vote Conservative when the Parker Liberals are advocating for fiscally conservative policies? Don’t believe me? Both parties support ending the provincial trade barriers, capping the number of temporary foreign workers in Canada, diplomacy with President Donald Trump over the “shoot back” strategy of Mr. Hassan, and lowering the capital gains tax. And the Liberals have even adopted Conservative positions, such as scrapping the consumer carbon tax, developing pipelines in Canada, and proposing new free trade agreements (FTAs)—like the proposed ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) FTA, strengthening of the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership), and deeper trade with Mexico and China. Those were the Conservative positions. Stephen Harper, for instance, holds the
record of signing the most trade agreements of any Prime Minister. Thus, the Liberals are actually running a more Conservative campaign akin to the Martin years. This campaign strategy leaves the Conservatives effectively useless. Not only that, but Hassan positioned himself to be the true anti-Liberal candidate in debate last Monday. While Parker and Turner found themselves in more agreement than disagreement, Hassan was on the attack—an attack that could be translated to the progressive response to the Liberals and redundant Conservatives. He proved himself to be able to take on “Liberal
“MS. DELAY AND MS. DENY.”
- Ali Hage Hassan
corporate greed” and “Conservative cuts.” Hassan easily won the debate, by showing strength and assertiveness, taking advantage of the Conservative’s weak debate performance, and attacking the Liberal leader. To be honest, it is no wonder then that there are rumours circulating that the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party are in talks of forming a ‘strategic alliance.’ This has been unprecedented in Canadian politics and further emphasizes the Conservative fall from grace. The sources of these rumours, an insider from the Conservative Party and an insider from the Liberal Party, both wish to remain anonymous, but stress that coalition talks have taken place. I took the initiative of reaching out to both the Liberal Party and Conservative party for official statements. Both the Liberals and Conservatives deny the unholy alliance, but both agree that “they recognize the value of engaging with their established policy platform where common ground can be found” and that “progress comes through dialogue.” This “dialogue,” whether just rumours or actual fact, cannot be good for the Conservative Party’s fortunes and only serve the interests of the Liberal Party and the electoral fortunes of the NDP.
To leave the reader with my final thoughts, I wonder if the Conservatives know what they are doing. The Liberals and New Democrats clearly know what they are doing. I do believe that if the Conservatives don’t change strategy soon, they can kiss being the Official Opposition goodbye—and maybe even official party status.
Edited and Published by: Gadeer Alrahamawi
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March 28, 2025
Issue #12
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Picture Caption: Edited By Tan Kaur, Picture Credit: Baltimore Sun
Tan Kaur
Undecided Voters Hold the Key
Maple Media Election Poll Reveals Voter Preferences and Key Issues Ahead of 2025 Election
The latest Maple Media Election Poll, conducted from March 17 to [March 26, 2025, surveyed Tecumseh Vista respondents to gauge voter preferences in the upcoming 2025 Election Name.
Among party leaders, Hage Hassan emerges as the most favorable candidate, with 66% of voters finding him the most favorable leader and his leadership in alignment with his party’s ideology. Following closely behind, Parker maintains a strong position, though the gap between the two suggests that leadership perception may be a key factor influencing voter preferences.
According to the survey, if elections were held today, the polls show that Liberal Party is leading with 11.1 points ahead of the Conservatives Party, a recent Maple Media Poll reveals that the Liberal Party holds a commanding lead, securing 33% of polls lead. The Conservatives trail behind at 22%, while the New Democratic Party (NDP) and Green Party currently tied at 11%. However, the most striking takeaway from the survey is that
22% voters remain undecided, leaving the final outcome of the election wide open. Respondents were asked to evaluate various policies. While there was a mix of approvals and disapprovals, a significant portion of voters expressed dissatisfaction with certain policies, particularly in areas of taxation and foreign aid.
Voter trust levels revealed some interesting trends. The Liberal Party was perceived as the most trustworthy, although trust levels varied across different demographics. The Conservatives maintained strong support from their base but struggled to gain broader public confidence, while the NDP remained popular among progressive voters but lacked the trust needed to expand its reach. Approval ratings of key policies showed a divided electorate, with many respondents expressing dissatisfaction with taxation policies and foreign aid commitments, highlighting areas where parties may need to refine their messaging. When asked about the most important issues shaping their vote, economic concerns ranked
high on the polls, with the cost-of-living ranking as the top priority for voters. Education, healthcare, and foreign affairs also factored heavily into voter decision-making. These results suggest that affordability and financial stabilities are driving forces in this election, signaling that candidates who can effectively address economic hardship may have the upper hand.
Despite the Liberal Party’s lead, the election remains far from decided. With 22% of voters still uncertain about their choice, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the final outcome. Debates, campaign messaging, and last-minute policy announcements will likely shape the decisions of undecided voters, making their support a valuable prize for all parties. The Conservatives and NDP face a significant opportunity to close the gap if they can successfully appeal to those who have yet to make up their minds. As election day approaches, all eyes will be on how each party adapts its strategy to win over the undecided electorate, ensuring that this remains one of the most unpredictable political contests in recent history.
Edited and Published by: Gadeer Alrahamawi
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March 28, 2025
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Ashton Curtis
Opinion: The NDP’s Obsession with the Military Industrial Complex
How the Conservative Defense Policy is Exactly What Canada Needs
I think it's safe to say that the Conservative Party of Canada does not like me very much. Even though my critiques have been mostly about the way they have conducted their campaign, I have been accused by them of lacking “journalistic integrity.” However, I have yet to comment on their actual policy in any substantial manner—and that is my own fault. The Conservative Party is not a bad party. They have good people running and good policy. One area where the Conservatives have an impressive policy initiative is the defense policy—of which the NDP’s response has been overblown.
NDP leader, Ali Hage Hassan alleged that the Conservatives wanted to join the same military industrial complex that has plagued the United States. He argued that the Conservative military plan would force Canada to enter foreign “forever wars.” However, these assertions have no basis in fact, given what is written in the Conservative platform, especially given the country’s finances after ten years of Liberal governance. I reached out to the Conservatives for a statement on the NDP’s attack on their defense policy, and they asserted that if such a military industrial complex existed in Canada, “The military would not have spent the last three decades struggling to modernize its equipment,” which has caused the Armed Forces to “suffered in its ability to defend Canada’s shores from hostile interests.” The Conservatives stressed deterrence and defense, rather than foreign invasions of other countries. So what exactly does the Conservative platform say on military and defense? They advocate for meeting the NATO 3% of GDP military spending target. They also want to completely modernize the equipment for the Canadian Armed Forces—which has been out of date for decades. For example, they promise to construct River-class destroyer ships and warships by 2050, as well
as fighter jets and submarines. The Conservatives also advocate for increased Arctic presence to strengthen Canadian sovereignty, as well as the modernization the Canadian cyber defense programs. All of these strengthen the military in a way that deters countries from showing aggression to Canada.
I believe these are strong concrete plans that will have positive effects on Canadian defense and Canada’s soft power capabilities. Firstly, the military is in desperate need of modernization, as it has not been updated in many years. It has been said that if a NATO country was attacked, only 48% of Canada’s military would be qualified to be deployed. Secondly, the Conservative plan would better protect Canadian sovereignty. In a time when Canada is facing annexation threats from the USA and threats in the Arctic from Russia and China. Since Trump has cozied up to China and threatened our sovereignty with the “51st State” talks, Canada cannot rely on the USA for security and military protection anymore. The Conservative plan would build up our military to deter these threats and give Canada much needed self-respect from these countries. And finally, the Conservative plan would allow for Canada to regain some national pride. Since 2000, the number of Canadian-led peacekeeping missions have decreased dramatically. When former Prime Minister, then a diplomat, Lester B. Pearson won the Noble Peace Prize for creating the first UN Peacekeeping Mission for the Suez Crisis in 1956, the Canadian peacekeeping has been a form of national pride ever since, and a reinvigorated Canadian military could once again play a crucial role in peacekeeping. Given the wars in Syria, Yemen, Palestine, and Ukraine, a modernized Canadian military could lead peacekeeping operations in these areas and find meaningful resolutions while also promoting Canadian soft power. The Conservatives asserted that peacekeeping missions were not a top priority for them, but.
high on the polls, with the cost-of-living ranking as the top priority for voters. Education, healthcare, and foreign affairs also factored heavily into voter decision-making. These results suggest that affordability and financial stabilities are driving forces in this election, signaling that candidates who can effectively address economic hardship may have the upper hand.
Picture Caption: Edited By Tan Kaur, Creator: Chris Hanoch, Copyright: Copyright © 2021 Lockheed Martin Corporation
I believe that their opinion on that can be altered, especially given the volatile state of global affairs currently establishment in the USA. Turner’s campaign, These are measures that must be taken if Canada is to survive the 21st century. While the NDP has some valid criticism of the Conservatives on affordability and climate change, their criticisms of their defense policies are unwarranted. No, the Conservatives do not support the military industrial complex and the endless wars—at least not publicly anyways. Their leader, Jacqueline Turner, openly declared herself a “Red Tory,” which further distances herself and the party from the establishment in America and the former pro-war Harper Government. Turner’s campaign, which I have criticized to some degree, is more of a call back to the progressive conservatism of Joe Clark and Erin O’Toole, rather than Republican-style conservatism of Stephen Harper and Pierre Poilievre—and that is not necessarily a bad thing. I think it is good that the Conservatives are adapting to the times and no longer embracing the far-right elements of their party, many of whom support the military industrial complex. In any case, the Conservative plan on defense is exactly what Canada needs in these unprecedented times and is worth considering by the government, regardless of who forms the government.
Edited and Published by: Gadeer Alrahamawi
16
About
Maple Media
Friday
March 28, 2025
Issue #14
Latest news and Bulletin updates
MAPLE MEDIA
Tan Kaur
Green Vision in a Divided Election: Can Climate and Economy Coexist?
As affordability concerns dominate the polls, Green Party leader Luca Rubino fights to merge environmental action with economic stability in a bid to win over undecided voters.
In a recent interview with Maple Media, Green Party leader Luca Rubino addressed key election issues, emphasizing climate action, economic policies, and social justice. With the economy ranking as the top concern among voters, Rubino defended the Green Party’s stance on strengthening the carbon tax, ensuring major polluters pay while offering rebates to citizens. He acknowledged public concerns about affordability but maintained that climate policies must remain a priority to secure long-term economic and environmental stability.
Recent survey data highlights the complexity of the upcoming election, with 22% voters still undecided, leaving the outcome uncertain. Trust in political parties varies, with the Liberals perceived as the most trustworthy, while the Conservatives struggle to expand their appeal beyond their base. The NDP remains popular among progressive voters but has yet to gain the broader trust needed for electoral success. Approval ratings for key policies reflect a deeply divided electorate, with taxation and foreign aid emerging as particularly contentious issues.
Picture Caption: Edited By Tan Kaur, Creator: Chris Hanoch, Copyright: Copyright © 2021 Lockheed Martin Corporation
Addressing labor shortages, Rubino proposed streamlining foreign credential recognition to integrate skilled immigrants into the workforce more efficiently. He also emphasized the need for a just transition for fossil fuel workers, ensuring they receive retraining and financial support as Canada shifts toward greener energy sources. Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of working directly with Indigenous communities to develop culturally appropriate renewable energy solutions, such as microgrids powered by wind, solar, and geothermal energy.
As affordability and financial stability dominate voter concerns, Rubino and the Green Party must refine their message to appeal to undecided voters. With the election still wide open, his ability to connect economic and environmental goals could be a decisive factor in shifting public support. The coming weeks will be critical as parties adjust their strategies, hoping to win over undecided voters and secure victory in what is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable elections in recent history.
Edited and Published by: Gadeer Alrahamawi
17
About
Maple Media
Friday
March 28, 2025
Issue #15
Latest news and Bulletin updates
MAPLE MEDIA
Ben Troian
In a Heated Race, How Are Party’s Making Their Final Push?
coming into the final week of the election cycle, with the campaigns choosing either a combative or affirmative approach to messaging, which will resonate with voters more?
As the 2025 election cycle is coming to a close in mere days, there remains no clear frontrunner among the parties. Since we are coming up to the election date, it is worth taking a look at how the parties are presenting themselves. Each party seems to have their own approaches. In order to get a better grasp on the electoral battleground on the road to March 31st, let's have a look at what the party's closing messages have been. While releasing attack ads is certainly not unusual, especially towards the end of an election period, what is notable is that only two campaigns have released them.
A surprising rivalry coming out of the debate has been the Liberals and the NDP. Both parties have, so far, been the only ones to release negative ads attacking each other; not be a surprise that the Liberals and NDP have released negative ads on each other to anyone who watched the debate considering the two clashed the most often. The Liberals chose to attack the leader of the NDP, Ali Hage Hassan, directly, calling out his perceived sexist rhetoric in a Maple Media interview where he described how Liberal leader Rhyse Parker, “… seems to be an amazing spouse,” when asked to give an opinion on her. The ad goes on to say, “It’s time to stop defining women by their marital status.” The NDP ad, on the other hand, harkens back to Ali Hage’s performance during the debate and his efforts to link Rhyse Parker with Justin Trudeau and his unpopular government. What these ads represent is arguably more interesting than the ads themselves. Both attack the image of each party leader, and rather than choosing specific
policies to criticize, they instead chose to define the candidate in question. However, keeping with the aggressive push the party has undertaken during this election, the NDP have not only taken shots at the Liberals, but the Conservatives as well. They have called into question Turner’s commitment to offering an alternative to Parker. The ad ends with the text, “A Liberal wearing a blue coat doesn’t sound any better” (an analogy that might have made more sense if Turner was actually wearing a blue coat during the debate, but I digress). Interestingly, the Conservatives have put out no negative ads attacking the other parties, instead releasing more positive ads espousing their own policies. It matches with the more toned-down campaign Turner and her team have decided to undertake; non-combative during the debate and non-confrontational on the advertising front. In fact, it is very similar to the strategy the Greens have adopted. Rubino has said that he wanted to focus on policy, so it makes sense their media presence follows this line of thinking. However, there is also the risk for both Greens and Conservatives alike that this toned-down method backfires during the election. On the other hand, the aggression from the Liberals and NDP could be a turn off for some voters who instead want a party more focused on the issues rather than taking political pot shots. At the end of the day, all the parties can do now is pray they have gotten their message out there and hope for the best on election day. Each party will certainly need all the luck they can get.
Edited and Published by: Gadeer Alrahamawi
18
About
Maple Media
Friday, March 28, 2025
Evaluation Policy Results
MAPLE MEDIA
Tan Kaur
Political Parties Evaluation
Political Leader Evaluation
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Liberal Party of Canada: 31 points
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Conservative Party of Canada: 28.5 points
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Green Party of Canada: 33.5 points
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New Democratic Party of Canada: 35 points
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Rhyse Parker: 35 points
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Jacquiline Turner: 31 points
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Luca Rubino: 33 points
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Ali Hage Hassan: 36 points
Media Campaigns, Media, and Advertisements Evaluation
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Liberal Party of Canada: 22 points
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Conservative Party of Canada: 22 points
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Green Party of Canada: 19 points
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New Democratic Party of Canada: 20 points