Editorials - April 25, 2025

On Easter Sunday, United States Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had her Gucci bag stolen while dining in a restaurant in Washington, D.C. The bag is said to have contained her makeup, medication, apartment keys, blank cheques, driver’s license, passport, DHS access badge and about $3,000 in cash. 

 

The Secret Service will, no doubt, be answering some serious questions about how a key official who is at high risk for threats because of their high profile, can have an unknown male wearing a ball cap and N95 mask stroll beside her table, pick up a bag and exit the restaurant with no security noticing. (The security detail was able to review camera footage from the restaurant to see how the purse was stolen.)

 

A spokesperson defended Noem, stating that she had withdrawn the large amount of cash, as she was treating her family to dinner, treats and Easter activities. One could question the validity of that excuse though, as the heist took place at a restaurant that is an upscale burger joint, but definitely not fine dining. The bigger question is why one of the most powerful officials in the U.S. government is strolling around with $3,000 in cash tucked inside her $4,500 designer handbag. One of our earliest life lessons is that carrying large amounts of cash around is unwise, making debit and credit cards handy inventions of the modern world. 

 

Wise leaders surround themselves with even smarter people, but Trump’s handpicked advisors and cabinet positions continually reveal themselves to have no common sense and very little wisdom. – DS

After a bombshell New York Times investigation into Therme and its 95-year lease on the former Ontario Place, courtesy of Premier Doug Ford and his provincial government, Ford promised to review the deal. And yet, one has to wonder why such a review wasn’t done in advance of, oh, say, awarding a 95-year lease on a beloved piece of property. 

 

We know from the story that many of those checks and balances were sidestepped by the provincial government. It says that the government “took several unusual steps that reduced oversight” and exempted “the entire island’s development” from “key environmental checks” as it was classified as a real estate transaction. The story also says that the bidding process was unusual, stating that the government could award the project to whomever it wanted, regardless of whether it had met the bidding requirements or even submitted a proposal. The report also found that Therme drastically overstated its portfolio, leaving readers with the idea that the province, eager for investment, was either too stupid or too incompetent to identify a company that, under little scrutiny, could be found not to be what it said it is.

 

Most Ontarians critical of Ford’s government smelled something fishy with this deal from the jump, but the work of The New York Times has not only uncovered the details, but painted the provincial government as one that falls for any snake oil salesman or pitchman that knocks on its door. All this at a time when Ford and his provincial government may have some meaningful negotiations on the horizon.

 

At a time when cutting red tape and reducing big government is all the rage, this investigation serves as a reminder of why safeguards, checks and balances and meaningful research have their place. – SL 

Millions of Canadians have already cast their ballots. Many did so without ever seeing a full platform from each party seeking to govern this country. That is a failure of our democratic process.

 

No party should be allowed to seek votes without presenting its detailed, realistic plan. Every federal party should be required to release a complete, costed platform the moment an election is called. No delays. No hedging. No waiting to see what the others do.

 

Instead, what we get is performance. Leaders in hard hats. Staged photo ops. Carefully timed promises crafted for headlines, not accountability. While Canadians vote, parties withhold key information. This is not a game. The stakes are real. We are in the midst of a housing crisis. The cost of food, medicine and basic necessities continues to rise. Public systems are under pressure. Families are being stretched thin. 

 

The next federal government will make decisions that shape the future of this country. Voters are being asked to choose without the full picture. Leaders should spend each day of the campaign answering to the people whose lives are most affected by political choices; Canadians who live with the consequences long after campaign signs come down.

 

A platform is not a marketing tool. It is a governing document. It shows how a party would allocate public funds, what programs it would cut and what kind of country it aims to build. That information is essential and should not be withheld until this late in the game. 

 

This election has already been defined by slogans about change. But real change begins with respecting voters and being clear and honest. If a party is to lead, it should show its work. From day one. – SBS