Paul Wells: At least the Conservative leader said what many in his party believe, which is that the party’s days as a Stephen Harper cargo cult need to end
Andrew MacDougall: Underestimate Pierre Poilievre at your peril
Dennis Matthews: The most successful brands insert themselves into culture without turning away existing audiences
Senator Irving Gerstein’s ignored speech reveals the new reality in political fundraising
Why the PM chose not to come clean on the Senate scandal
Colby Cosh reports from CPC Land
Paul Wells reports from quarantine in the land of blue-clad volunteers
Paul Wells sets the scene for the Conservative convention
Across the street and behind a metal barricade, a young man in a bike helmet, holding a pink sign that read “contempt,” was yelling at Conservative delegates as they filed into the giant glass orb that is the Ottawa convention centre. He yelled about the G8 and the $50 million. He yelled about Bev Oda. He yelled about the defeated candidates now in the Senate. He yelled the word “mockery” more than a few times. Most of the delegates ignored him. Some smiled and laughed and waved.
“I’ll take substance with nastiness over civil emptiness, anytime…”
Must-reads: Rosie DiManno on race statistics; Lawrence Martin on finding a new Speaker
Miscellaneous Canadian news