Are you optimistic or fearful about Canada and the world?
It was a week like no other in news: one major story after another. The unveiling of a 'transformational' federal budget by the new Liberal government, against a backdrop of bloody terror attacks in Brussels; the death of former Toronto mayor Rob Ford; an historic visit to Cuba by President Obama; and a not guilty ruling in the trial of Jian Ghomeshi. We want to know where this week has left you. Are you feeling optimistic about the state of Canada and the world?
More from this episode:
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CBC Forum: Are you optimistic or fearful about Canada and the world?
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CALLER: Would military spending be better used on other services?
GUESTS | SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENTS | LINKS & ARTICLES | DOWNLOAD THE MP3
These events—some imbued with hope, others not so—were a lot to digest in a single week. And on a day when many Canadians are celebrating Easter Sunday—a time of hope and renewal—it seems fitting to take stock and find out how you are feeling about Canada and the world.
The Liberal government's budget was certainly a strong statement of hope in that it promises spending and progress on many of the issues that voters believe have been ignored. More money for infrastructure, and indigenous peoples, more money for the unemployed and the arts, more money for families, students, seniors, and veterans, and real action on climate change.
Transformational? Possibly. Expensive? Yes. The Liberals increased, by three times, their election promise of a $10-billion dollar cap on the deficit. The government is confident that the economy will grow and the debt will shrink in comparison. Are you optimistic that spending now, will reap greater rewards down the road?
The budget was delivered while sirens were still screaming in Brussels after exploding bombs in the airport and the subway killed 31 people and injured hundreds more. It was a painful reminder that not everyone hopes for peace and prosperity in the West, and a cautionary note that Canada must remain vigilant to similar such attacks.
At the same time U.S. President Obama was in Cuba delivering a message of hope to Americans and Cubans of rekindling their once close relationship, 54 years after President Kennedy declared an embargo.
Our question: "Are you optimistic about the future of Canada and the world?"
GUESTS
John Ivison
Political columnist with the National Post
Twitter: @IvisonJ
Wesley Wark
Visiting professor at the University of Ottawa's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
Janice MacKinnon
Professor of Public Policy at the University of Saskatchewan and former finance minister of Saskatchewan
LINKS & ARTICLES
The Budget 2016
CBC.ca
- Justin Trudeau defends bigger deficit, First Nations funding
- Who are the Liberals' middle-class winners? Good question
- Liberal budget met many youth promises, but not all, and not always in full
- Highlights of Bill Morneau's first budget
- Deficit vs. debt-to-GDP: Which number should you care about?
- Perry Bellegarde, AFN national chief, calls federal budget 'historic'
- ANALYSIS: Liberals go from 'beer and popcorn' to 'most significant social policy innovation in a generation
- ANALYSIS: World watching as Canada casts aside austerity and gambles on a fiscal surge
- Attack fears offset stimulus budget as loonie drops and TSX sells off
Globe and Mail
- Polarizing or popular? A look at how different Trudeau's budget is from the Harper era
- Fulfill those campaign promises now. Bill us later
- Budget's big bet on growth raises the stakes for provinces
- A deficit can be stimulus, but debt can be a burden
National Post
- John Ivison: Liberals take us down yellow brick road with 'spend, then tax' budget
- Andrew Coyne: Federal budget 2016 is one from the 1970s, to address problems of 1980s
- Kelly McParland: There's no point in moaning about the Liberal spending binge
Macleans
Brussels Attack
CBC.ca
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Brussels counterterrorism raids lead to 3 arrests, prosecutor says
- Grim awareness, suspicion spread as Brussels reels from bombings
- Canadian working near Brussels train station blast describes 'sombre' scene
- ANALYSIS: After Paris and now Brussels, a Europe full of 'little Trumps'
Globe and Mail
- A crumbling 'caliphate' is still a threat to Canada
- When is violence random, and when is it terrorism?
The National Post
- Terry Glavin on the aftermath of the Brussels attacks: Tired platitudes in the face of daily atrocities
- Our mission against ISIL has one major flaw it ignores the Internet
- Matthew Fisher: Brussels attack is just the beginning of a dreadful arc of terror and mayhem
Rob Ford Obit
CBC.ca
- Rob Ford: Who will be the next voice of 'the little guy'?
- Rob Ford, former Toronto mayor, dead at 46
- Timeline: Rob Ford's health troubles
- Rob Ford: A look at his tumultuous tenure as Toronto mayor
National Post
- Chris Selley: Rob Ford's intentions may have been good, but he should never have been mayor
- Rob Ford: 1969–2016
BBC
Obama visits Cuba
The New York Times
- As Obama Arrives, Cuba Tightens Grip on Dissent
- Mr. Obama's Honest Message in Cuba
- Cuba Says It Has Solved Racism. Obama Isn't So Sure.
National Post
The Guardian
Ghomeshi acquitted
CBC.ca
- Jian Ghomeshi found not guilty on choking and all sex assault charges
- Ghomeshi trial judge praised by lawyers for 'right decision'
- THE FIFTH ESTATE: The Trial of Jian Ghomeshi
- ANALYSIS: You don't like the Ghomeshi verdict, fine, but don't take it out on the judge