Ottawa

Paul Wells: If the sacking of a capital by forces loyal to a failed autocrat was happening in any other country it’s hard to imagine Canadian officials would stay this quiet

Pam Palmater: Privileged politicians who took pandemic vacations need to lose more than their official roles as ministers or critics. It is time to take a stand.

Scott Gilmore: The pandemic isn’t suddenly going away, Trump will still be around and the decline of American democracy will continue. Happy New Year!

The leader who rode youthful optimism to power will now contend with a pack of fresh faces in 2021 as an election likely looms

Philippe J. Fournier: The Liberals escape 2020 holding a significant lead. The Tories still need a place to grow. And the NDP sees a flicker of promise.

The minister for diversity and inclusion and youth hopes the Liberals can document their lessons learned for the benefit of future governments, but she’s not willing to say much about the failed student service grant

Politics Insider for Dec. 17: A Canadian will join a mission to orbit the moon, Carla Qualtrough admits the government’s mistakes and Santa Claus is declared an essential worker

There will be a new goal in the coming year: getting ahead (and getting heard) in an unfriendly, chaotic world

Politics Insider for Dec. 16: The feds secure more vaccine as Ontario hospitals brace for the worst, Erin O’Toole fights the culture wars and what is Canada planning to do in outer space?

Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough talks about Canada’s pandemic programs, the mistakes that were made and why some Canadians will have to pay back CERB