Dossier: The 2015 Canadian Federal Elections

Creator: Shawn Kent. CC-BY-NC 2.0

On October 19th, Canada will hold its federal elections-what is at stake in these elections, and where is Canada headed? In this dossier, we shed light on some of the main policy debates and developments.

Articles

Canada back on track? Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau wins unprecedented election

It was a roller-coaster of an election that redefined what was possible in Canadian politics. On October 19, when the votes were counted, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau ousted Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper. What does this historic election mean for Canadian progressive politics?

By Graham Saul

Canadian Elections 2015: The Power of the "Ethnic Vote"

The Canadian candidates know that they can't without the support of the immigrant communities. Why do they have such a huge influence? About the Canadian phenomenon of the "visible minorites".

By Hannah Winnick

From founding father to backslider: Canada and the R2P

In the 90s and early 2000s, Canada's Liberal government begged to differ. During its international heyday, Canada became the patron of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P). Whatever happened to Canada's commitment to the R2P under Harper's Conservative government?

By Charlotte Beck

Could the Elections End Canada’s Carbon Capture?

Since taking office in 2006, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has focused on turning Canada into an energy superpower. The strategy behind this is the proposed doubling of the extraction of oil from Canada’s bituminous tar sands, located primarily in the western province of Alberta.

By Liane Schalatek

An Energy Superpower Heads to the Polls

In the nine years under the Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Canada has focused primarily on its oil industry without regard for the environment and local populations. However, that line of reasoning is now losing its force.

By Rebecca Bertram

The Race to Lead Canada

Ahead of the 19 October election, there is a tight, three-way race to run Canada. The embattled incumbent - conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper – is running neck-in-neck with two contenders: Tom Mulcair, Leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) and Justin Trudeau, Leader of the Liberals.

By Nancy Alexander

"We need to restore responsible government"

Canada votes on October 19. An interview with Elizabeth May, Member of Parliament for the Green Party, about Canada’s climate performance, the state of democracy, and the prospects for her party in the upcoming elections.

By Arne Jungjohann

Kennan Cable No. 29: U.S. Sanctions Law and Western Coordination on Russia Policy

Article

In July 2017, the U.S. Congress overwhelmingly passed additional sanctions against Russia, Iran, and North Korea. What was the response from Russia and Germany? How are U.S. lawmakers addressing European concerns?

By Dominik Tolksdorf

Transatlantic Relations: The Air of Freedom

Debate

In the "Transatlantic Manifesto" published by DIE ZEIT in October 2017, the authors emphasise the necessity of a strategy based on fostering transatlantic relations. Critics are calling for a "new post-Atlanticism foreign policy", an attitude that is based on fundamental misunderstandings.

By Sergey Lagodinsky

The German Election and Donald Trump

Bundestagswahl

Since the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president, Germans have lost trust in the United States. Will Merkel cozy up to Trump after the election or continue to criticize his actions? Commentary in Foreign Affairs.

By Dominik Tolksdorf

With or without the Paris Agreement –Trump won’t have the last word on US climate policy

President Donald Trump declared that he would start measures to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, putting his country back into the “rogue state” category in international climate negotiations.

By Liane Schalatek, Nora Löhle

The LGBTQ Community under Trump: Interview with Sharita Gruberg

Interview

Are LGBTQ rights on the line under the new administration? We spoke with Sharita Gruberg, associate director of the LGBT Research and Communications Project at the Center for American Progress, about challenges that face LGBTQ community under Trump.

By Sophia Oster

Introduction

The Heinrich Böll Foundation’s North America Programmes

Our activities are focussed on three major international questions: the transatlantic dialogue on security, global environmental and climate protection, and economic globalisation and its international repercussions. The Washington office collaborates with partner organisations from the Middle East, Russia, China, India, Latin America, and Africa. Among its main activities are public debates and conferences as well as visits programmes for individuals active in the areas of politics, science, and civil society from Germany, Europe, the US, Canada, and countries of the Global South. The office represents the Heinrich Böll Foundation in relation to US institutions and international organisations.

Office in North America

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Dossier: The 2015 Canadian Federal Elections