Loyal No More: Ontario's Struggle for a Separate Destiny

Loyal No More examines Ontario's complex relationship with Canadian federalism and its shifting position within confederation. Through historical analysis and contemporary reporting, John Ibbitson traces Ontario's evolution from the bedrock of Canadian unity to a province seeking greater autonomy. The book documents key moments in Ontario-Ottawa relations across multiple decades and administrations, with particular focus on federal-provincial negotiations, economic policies, and constitutional matters. Ibbitson draws on extensive research and interviews to chronicle how successive Ontario governments navigated their changing role in confederation. The narrative follows Ontario's gradual transformation as it confronts new political and economic realities within Canada. The author examines specific policies, deals, and conflicts that shaped the province's relationship with the federal government. At its core, this work explores fundamental questions about Canadian federalism, provincial identity, and the nature of loyalty within a diverse confederation. The book presents Ontario's journey as emblematic of broader tensions between regional and national interests in modern Canada.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of John Ibbitson's overall work: Readers value Ibbitson's clear writing style and depth of research in his political analysis. Many note his ability to explain complex Canadian political dynamics without oversimplifying. What readers liked: - Detailed sourcing and extensive interviews in "Stephen Harper" biography - Accessible analysis of demographic trends in "The Big Shift" - Balanced perspective on controversial political figures What readers disliked: - Some found "The Big Shift" predictions didn't age well - Several readers noted a perceived center-right bias in political coverage - Critics point to occasionally dry writing style in policy analysis Ratings across platforms: - "Stephen Harper" - 3.9/5 on Goodreads (437 ratings) - "The Big Shift" - 3.7/5 on Goodreads (289 ratings) - "Empty Planet" - 4.0/5 on Amazon (312 ratings) One reader noted: "Ibbitson excels at making demographic data compelling." Another commented: "Thorough research but sometimes gets lost in policy minutiae."

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🍁 John Ibbitson has been a political columnist for The Globe and Mail since 1999 and served as the newspaper's Queen's Park bureau chief during the period he wrote this book. 📚 The book examines Ontario's transformation from being historically known as "the good child of Confederation" to becoming increasingly alienated from federal politics and power structures. 🏛️ Published in 2001, it was one of the first major works to analyze Ontario's changing relationship with federal Canada following the 1995 Quebec referendum. 💭 The title "Loyal No More" is a direct reference to Ontario's historical nickname as the "Loyal Province," earned for its steadfast support of British rule during the American Revolution and War of 1812. 🗳️ The book predicted many political shifts that would later materialize, including Ontario's growing frustration with fiscal federalism and its diminishing influence in national politics despite being Canada's most populous province.