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Both at home and abroad, the events of 2002 contrasted significantly with those of the previous year, something for which most Canadians could be extremely grateful. To no one's surprise, however, the year was dominated by the issues that had captivated the world's attention at the end of 2001: the attacks on the United States and the subsequent 'war on terror' declared by the Bush administration. Canada had chosen to stand 'shoulder to shoulder' with its southern neighbour in response to those attacks, and in 2002 the meaning of that commitment became clear as Canada entered into full-scale combat operations in Afghanistan, suffered its first casualties, and ended the year torn over whether to follow the United States should it choose to send troops to Iraq.On the home front, a battle of an altogether different magnitude reached a turning point with the seeming resolution of the long-running struggle between Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Minister of Finance Paul Martin, even though by year's end, it was by no means clear who had actually won. Similarly, a number of the consequences of the 9/11 attacks remained unresolved. Changes to legislation regarding national security failed to be approved; Ottawa software engineer Maher Arar, who was arrested and deported by the United States on suspicion of terrorist links, languished in a Syrian jail despite official protest by the Canadian Government; and the war drums were beating loudly around Iraq.Continuing in the tradition of excellence for which the series has long been acclaimed, the Canadian Annual Review of Politics and Public Affairs 2002 presents detailed information and insightful analyses of issues and events that have had a lasting impact both nationally and internationally

The Canadian Annual Review of Politics and Public Affairs is an acclaimed series that offers informed commentary on important national events and considers their significance in local and international contexts. This latest instalment covers a year of dramatic activity in provincial politics

The Canadian Annual Review has become an indispensable reference work for all concerned with Canadian public affairs. Complied by a corps of Canadian scholars and experts, it offers both a concise, convenient record of the year's events and an authoritatibve appraisal of developments.The present volume covers events in a watershed year. In constitutional matters 1987 saw the most important even since the passage of the Constitutional Act of 1982: the Meech Lake Accord.In the House of Commons, new drug patent legislation and a bill to control more tightly the influx of immigrants and refugees faced strenuous opposition. A proposal to reinstate capital punishment was rejected in a free vote.Overall the Canadian economy performed well, although slumping oil and gas prices continued to create problems in the western provinces, Ontario Premier David Peterson was re-elected, this time with an overwhelming Liberal majority. But the dominant story in Canadian newspapers throughout the year was free trade with the United States