We will soon bid adieu to 2020 and I’m sure most of us will also say “good riddance.” I suspect for most people this past year will go down as the worst in our lifetimes. And you would have to go back to the years of the Second World War to find times that were as bad for so many people worldwide.
We soon get to turn our backs on 2020 and look forward, with hope, to a better 2021. So, what can we expect from this new year in terms of politics? There is much to keep an eye on as the year unfolds.
On Jan. 5, the U.S. state of Georgia holds two federal Senate run-off elections the outcome of which will determine which party, Republicans or Democrats, controls the United States Senate. Currently the Republicans have the majority in the Senate but if both Georgia seats go to the Democrats the two parties will be tied 50-50 in this upper house.
If this scenario comes to pass, Senate rules stipulate that the Vice President, who chairs meetings of the Senate, gets to cast the deciding vote. Come Jan. 20, that Vice President will be Kamala Harris, giving Democrats control in the Senate and ensuring that new U.S. President Joe Biden will be able to get his legislative agenda through the American Congress.
But if the Republicans take just one of the two Georgia seats, they will retain control of the Senate 51-49, giving Republican Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell the ability to thwart most all of Biden’s policy proposals. No wonder both parties are so fixated on these Senate races.
The next big date is Jan. 20, when Biden and Harris will be sworn-in as the next president and vice-president, respectively, of the United States. This day will bring an end to the presidency of Donald Trump.
But it will not mean that Trump and Trumpism is gone from American politics. Look to see Trump give his own inaugural address on the 20th, claiming to be the “real” president of the United States, while also announcing his run for the White House in 2024. And look to see his base supporters cheering him on. American politics will continue its slow descent into tribalism in 2021.
Much of the winter of 2021 will be given over to continuing news of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing rollout of vaccines. Here’s hoping these inoculations work as expected and life can get back to a new normal by the summer/fall of 2021.
If the vaccine roll-out in Canada is proceeding smoothly and effectively during this coming spring, and if Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the federal Liberals are still riding high in the polls, look to see this government introduce a very progressive budget in the early spring followed by an election for late spring or early summer.
If all goes well for Trudeau, he will win back the majority government he lost in 2019. If he can’t do this, his days as Liberal leader will be numbered.
As we enter the fall, attention will shift to Europe and federal elections scheduled for Germany in September. Angela Merkel has been a very successful chancellor of Germany since 2005 but she is retiring this coming year.
The question now becomes whether her moderate conservative Christian Democratic Unionist party can retain power under a new, as-yet-to-be-determined leader, or whether the centre-left Social Democrats can head a minority government with the Greens.
Finally, in November, Barbados celebrates its 55th anniversary of independence from Great Britain. By this time the Barbadian government is hoping to have amended its constitution, disestablishing Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state, and turning Barbados into a republic. Monarchists and Republicans throughout the Commonwealth will be watching how all of this plays out.
Dr. David Johnson, Ph.D., teaches political science at Cape Breton University. He can be reached at
New Brunswick voters have elected a Liberal majority government, tossing out the incumbent Progressive Conservatives after six years in power and handing the reins to the first woman ever to lead the province. Liberal Leader Susan Holt spent much of the campaign rolling out proposed fixes for a health-care system racked by a doctor shortage, overcrowded emergency rooms and long wait-times. She promised to open 30 community health clinics across the province by 2028. (Oct. 22, 2024)
Susan Holt has made history in New Brunswick by becoming the first woman to serve as the leader of the province’s Liberal Party, a significant milestone in the province’s political landscape. Holt’s leadership victory signals a new era of representation, gender equality, and change in the region, which has long been dominated by male politicians.
Holt’s journey to the top has been one of perseverance and dedication. Before entering politics, she built a distinguished career in the private sector, where she held numerous leadership positions. Her experience in business development and public policy has equipped her with the skills needed to navigate the complex world of politics.
In a province where women have historically been underrepresented in politics, Holt’s election represents a watershed moment. Women’s involvement in leadership roles has been steadily increasing nationwide, but New Brunswick, like many parts of Canada, has seen slower progress in achieving gender parity. Holt’s rise to the top of the Liberal Party not only shatters a glass ceiling but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of women aiming for political leadership.
As the leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, Holt has laid out a vision of inclusivity and progress. Her policies focus on economic development, healthcare reform, environmental sustainability, and addressing social issues that have plagued the province. She has also emphasized the importance of transparent governance and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities, making her platform both modern and forward-thinking.
Holt’s leadership arrives at a time when many voters are calling for change, especially in the face of challenges like economic uncertainty and the need for healthcare improvements. She aims to bring fresh ideas to tackle these issues while ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their background, have a voice in government decisions.
Susan Holt joins the ranks of other trailblazing women across Canada who have led provincial parties and governments. Women like former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne have paved the way, and now Holt is contributing to this growing legacy of female political leadership in Canada.
Her achievement highlights not only the growing number of women entering politics but also the demand for leaders who can bring diverse perspectives to the table. In a field often dominated by entrenched traditions, Holt’s election is a step toward a more inclusive and representative political landscape in New Brunswick.
Holt’s leadership signals a broader shift in Canadian politics, where more women and diverse voices are gaining prominence. For young women across the country, her rise serves as a powerful reminder that leadership roles are within reach, even in traditionally male-dominated spheres.
With her election, Susan Holt has proven that perseverance, skill, and a vision for change can break even the toughest barriers. Her leadership will not only reshape New Brunswick’s political future but also inspire others across Canada to pursue leadership positions and continue to challenge the status quo.
NDP Leader Carla Beck has two planned campaign events today, starting the day with an availability in Moose Jaw and then later this evening attending an event in the capital with the Regina Medical Staff Association.
Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe, meanwhile, will speak in Prince Albert at the start of Voting Week in the province.
Saskatchewan residents can vote for five days starting today in the lead-up to next week’s provincial election, although polls won’t be open Sunday.
The NDP and the Saskatchewan Party are urging voters to cast their ballots early.
Voters can find their polling stations on their information cards or by visiting the Elections Saskatchewan website.
Chief electoral officer Michael Boda says there are about 810,000 registered voters in Saskatchewan.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
