One of the frequent criticisms levelled against Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, is that he’s a “career politician.”

Some argue that someone who’s mostly only ever collected a steady paycheque and stands to collect a generous pension following a series of political jobs cannot truly understand the struggles and challenges of the average citizen.

Today in The Conversation Canada, Louise Cockram of Carleton University looks into whether having a lifelong career in politics is truly detrimental to someone seeking to become prime minister.

While a long career in politics may make someone a skilled parliamentarian with a keen understanding of the legislative process, Cockram points out that skill set is often accompanied by a preoccupation with partisan attacks rather than focusing on challenges that affect voters. Poilievre has long been regarded, in fact, as a Conservative attack dog. Can he pivot?

“If elected prime minister, Poilievre may use his experience as a career politician to advocate for issues important to Canadians, or he may choose to focus on partisan games in Ottawa,” she writes.

Also today:

All the best, 

Lee-Anne Goodman

Politics Editor
Pierre Poilievre speaks in the House of Commons during Question Period on Parliament Hill in June 2008 when he was 29. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Pierre Poilievre is a career politician: Is that good or bad?

Louise Cockram, Carleton University

Can a politician with a relatively narrow life experience represent the diverse needs of Canadians?
Behaviour changes like apathy, lack of impulse control or socially inappropriate behaviour may indicate a risk of dementia in people over age 50. (Shutterstock)

Early indicators of dementia: 5 behaviour changes to look for after age 50

Daniella Vellone, University of Calgary

Dementia does not manifest solely as a memory problem. People with dementia can also experience issues with learning, comprehension and judgement, but they may also experience changes in behaviour.
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Safety on the line: Drivers who juggle multiple jobs are more likely to take risks on the road

Alexandra D. Lefcoe, McMaster University; Catherine E. Connelly, McMaster University

Companies like Uber and Lyft have a long way to go in improving worker safety to ensure both drivers and passengers feel safe on the road.
A program offers training and education specifically on family medicine from the start of medical school, while bypassing administrative hurdles to residency. (Shutterstock)

Family doctor shortage: Medical education reform can help address critical gaps, starting with a specialized program

Anthony Sanfilippo, Queen's University, Ontario; Jane Philpott, Queen's University, Ontario

Education has a role to play in addressing the shortage of family doctors. A new program is designed specifically for comprehensive, community-based family practice.
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We got the beat: How we perceive rhythm involves neurological processes that control movement

Jonathan Joseph Cannon, McMaster University

Humans can spontaneously fall into rhythms with precision, and across a wide range of tempos. This may be because the same neurological processes that anticipate rhythm are involved with movement.

La Conversation Canada
Le « oui » sans équivoque au référendum sur l’arrêt de l’extraction pétrolière dans le parc Yasuní, une zone d’une importance écologique vitale, constitue une grande victoire pour l’Équateur. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Voici ce que nous apprend le vote historique tenu en Équateur pour mettre fin à l’extraction pétrolière dans un parc national

Martina Jakubchik-Paloheimo, Queen's University, Ontario

La décision du peuple équatorien de mettre un terme à l’extraction pétrolière dans le parc de Yasuní constitue un précédent d’importance mondiale et une victoire dont le Canada devrait s’inspirer.

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