The Line

The Line provides commentary on Canadian socio-political issues, exploring the government's handling of various matters including environmental policies, immigration, public trust, national identity, and media dynamics. It critically examines governmental decisions, societal shifts, and public debates, offering insights on Canada's current challenges and the state of democracy.

Government and Politics Environmental Policies Immigration Public Trust and State Capacity National Identity Media and Journalism Democracy and Civil Liberties Economic and Social Policy Technology and Regulation Healthcare

The hottest Substack posts of The Line

And their main takeaways

Jen Gerson: Where have all the New Atheists gone?

2731 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Atheism Philosophy Society Secularism
  1. The trend of declining religious affiliation is noticeable, with Christianity on the decline while irreligiosity is on the rise in Western societies.
  2. A shift in perspectives is observed, with some former atheists converting to Christianity due to the moral void left by secularism.
  3. The atheist community, including New Atheists, is facing challenges and division, with some aligning with social justice movements and others critiquing them.

Jen Gerson: The immigration consensus is collapsing

3439 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Immigration Conservatives Nationalism Multiculturalism Identity
  1. The consensus on immigration in Canada is shifting due to economic stress, housing issues, and health-care system challenges.
  2. Polls show a significant portion of Canadians believe immigration levels are too high, leading to a cross-partisan consensus on the need for change.
  3. The conversation around immigration in Canada involves addressing the effects on national identity, culture, and the potential for generational economic inequality.

Matt Gurney: Do I really need to demand a consistent standard from you all AGAIN?!

2790 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ethics Media Gender Political criticism Public Discourse
  1. Consistent standards need to be demanded in various situations to ensure fairness and ethics.
  2. It's important to question the transition of media figures into politics and maintain public confidence in journalism.
  3. Criticism should be based on professionalism and not used as a shield against valid scrutiny or critique.

Mitch Heimpel: The Liberals have more than just a communications problem

2142 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Leadership Elections Immigration
  1. The problem for Liberals isn't just about communication, but deeper issues related to perception and brand association.
  2. Attempting to rebrand policies like the carbon tax won't succeed if the fundamental problem of public perception isn't addressed.
  3. The dependence of the Liberal Party on Justin Trudeau's personal brand and politics may pose a challenge as public priorities evolve.
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Josh Dehaas: You owe Jason Kenney a beer

2083 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Civil Liberties Constitutional Rights
  1. Jason Kenney's fight for provincial jurisdiction was crucial in the legal case against the invocation of the Emergencies Act.
  2. Kenney's decision to stand up for Alberta's capacity and authority in handling the situation was validated by the court.
  3. The Federal Court's decision on the Emergencies Act could have lasting implications for protecting civil liberties.

Andrew Leach: The day Alberta almost went dark

2220 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy crisis Renewable Energy Environmental Impact
  1. Alberta almost faced a power crisis due to project delays affecting wind and solar energy generation.
  2. Cold snap increased electricity demand in Alberta, highlighting the importance of reliable energy sources.
  3. Delays in critical energy projects like Cascade and Genesee expansion contributed to the vulnerability of Alberta's grid system.

Andrew Potter: The West's slow betrayal of our inconvenient Ukrainian friends

1375 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy Global Conflict International relations Human Rights Geopolitics
  1. The West has not fully embraced Ukraine's fight as its own, despite rhetoric from NATO.
  2. Ukraine continues to resist Russian aggression, even without strong Western support.
  3. There is growing opposition within conservative groups towards supporting Ukraine, affecting decisions and aid.

Josh Dehaas: The police can't just declare an overpass a Charter-free zone

1513 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Protests Police Constitutional Rights
  1. Police tend to underreact to illegality at protests initially, then they overreact when the public gets frustrated.
  2. Enforcing laws against illegal actions of protesters from the start is important to prevent overreactions and protect constitutional rights.
  3. Blanket bans on protests by police can violate freedom of assembly and expression protected by the Charter.

Matt Gurney: Australia, but in a bad way

2653 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
📰 News Tech Companies Government Response
  1. Some tech giants have exited the Canadian news market due to a new law, C-18, prompting comparisons to the situation in Australia.
  2. Australia implemented legislation on big tech companies supporting local journalism, which initially led to threats of pullouts but ultimately resulted in deals being struck.
  3. The concerns in Canada are whether the deals with big tech companies will save journalism or end up benefiting legacy companies more, potentially undermining media independence.

Justin Ling: Can we please just fix a damned problem, for a change?

3223 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🌍 World Politics Canadian Politics Government oversight Accountability
  1. The government often fails to follow through on promises and recommendations, eroding trust in the system.
  2. There is a pattern of systemic problems being identified but not properly addressed by government institutions.
  3. Accountability and transparency are lacking, leading to a cycle of issues not being resolved and a lack of trust in the government.

Jen Gerson: The Liberals, masters at winning themselves to death

2908 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandal Government Media Intelligence Investigation
  1. The Liberals mishandled the Chinese interference scandal, making it worse for themselves at every step
  2. The government's damage control approach has backfired, slowly backing the Prime Minister into rhetorical traps
  3. A public inquiry into Chinese interference is seen as a strategically smart move for the Liberals to restore confidence

Andrew Potter: It's not about the passport

2692 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🌍 World Politics Canadian Politics Critics National Identity
  1. In relationships and politics, issues are often not about the specific incidents but rather underlying attitudes or lack of consideration.
  2. The controversy over Canada's passport redesign reflects deeper issues of national identity and symbolism.
  3. The redesign of Canada's passport is seen as a reflection of Justin Trudeau's perceived contempt for Canada and its symbols.

Matt Gurney: How the convoy almost beat the Canadian government

2535 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Government Response
  1. A few thousand people with good organization and logistics skills nearly outmaneuvered the Canadian government.
  2. The convoy crisis exposed failures at various levels of Canadian governance, from the police to the federal government.
  3. The lack of preparedness and coordination among officials during the crisis highlights the need for realistic training exercises and competent crisis management.

Matt Gurney: Let's talk about what Canada being broken means

2476 implied HN points • 31 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Canada Institutions Social Mobility Comparative Analysis Challenges
  1. Canada may be facing challenges and declining in certain areas, despite still being prosperous and stable compared to other countries.
  2. There are concerns about social mobility and the effectiveness of Canadian institutions, with signs pointing to potential long-term issues.
  3. While not completely ruined, Canada needs to address dysfunctional institutions and respond coherently to challenges to secure its future.

Matt Gurney: Memo to David Lametti. You didn't 'get it right' because it's impossible

2260 implied HN points • 06 Feb 23
  1. Trying to classify guns with broad definitions can create challenges in gun control policies.
  2. Canada's current gun laws have evolved since the 1990s, but recent changes have faced opposition and created complexities.
  3. The government's attempt to ban certain firearms has led to challenges like defining 'assault-style' rifles and facing political and practical obstacles.