In theory, public political protest is a sign of a healthy democracy. But John Thompson, who has been conducting a life-long anthropological study of Man the Demonstrator, has some doubts. His research suggests the “protest movement” is politically unbalanced – conservatives almost never do it – and often unconnected to anything the public actually cares about. It seems to be dominated by semi-professional mayhem-makers who know little and care less about their cause de jour, as long as they make the news. But at least, writes Thompson, it is a reliable source of amusement.

Virtually unreported by Canada’s insular news media is that the pandemic is pushing millions in other countries to the brink of starvation. John C. Thompson points out that Canada is one of the few countries that can reliably generate food surpluses. To meet the post-Covid world’s steep challenges, Canada’s able farmers will need the support of policymakers.

Canadians are once again dealing with “terrorism”. Saad Akhtar, 30, attacked and killed a 64-year-old woman in Toronto February 21. He was facing a first-degree murder charge for this seemingly random attack, but prosecutors have amended it to “murder – terrorist activity”. John C. Thompson provides a helpful primer on the vexed questions surrounding the legal definition of terrorism.