Robyn Urback - Page 3 - The Globe and Mail

Robyn Urback

StaffColumnistToronto

rurback@globeandmail.com

Robyn Urback is a current affairs columnist with The Globe and Mail. She previously worked as the editor of the opinion page at CBC News, and, before that, as a columnist and editorial board member at the National Post.

Robyn Urback abides by The Globe and Mail Editorial Code of Conduct

Latest articles

December 2, 2025

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith provides an update in Calgary, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith provides an update in Calgary, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

opinion

With typical Alberta governing-party arrogance, Danielle Smith waves away a scandal

Robyn Urback

4 min read

November 28, 2025

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith

opinion

If nothing else, Danielle Smith is a disruptor

Robyn Urback

4 min read

November 25, 2025

In practice, Canada’s health care system is not universal or egalitarian, argues Robyn Urback.

In practice, Canada’s health care system is not universal or egalitarian, argues Robyn Urback.

opinion

Canadians are protecting the mirage of single-tier health care. It doesn’t exist

Robyn Urback

4 min read

November 20, 2025

A man cycles past an encampment at Dufferin Grove Park in Toronto, in September.

A man cycles past an encampment at Dufferin Grove Park in Toronto, in September.

opinion

We have normalized delinquent, disorderly behaviour in our cities for too long

Robyn Urback

4 min read

November 18, 2025

A protester holds a sign related to the release of the Jeffrey Epstein case files outside the US Capitol in Washington, DC, November 12, 2025. Democrats released emails Wednesday in which Jeffrey Epstein suggested Donald Trump was aware of the disgraced financier's sexual abuse and had "spent hours" with one of his victims at his house. Trump has denied any knowledge of the sex-trafficking activities of his former friend, who died by suicide in 2019 as he was in prison awaiting trial, and the White House accused Democrats of pushing a "fake narrative" by sharing the mails. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

Protest art representing President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein is seen outside the entrance to Bustboys and Poets restaurant in the U Street neighborhood of Washington, Thursday, Nov., 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

opinion

The Epstein saga has Trump looking scared. That’s a new test for MAGA loyalty

Robyn Urback

4 min read

November 14, 2025

Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Nate Erskine-Smith speaks to reporters following a cabinet shuffle at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. The federal government had inked deals with nine Ontario municipalities and two Saskatchewan cities to address homelessness.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Nate Erskine-Smith speaks to reporters following a cabinet shuffle at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. The federal government had inked deals with nine Ontario municipalities and two Saskatchewan cities to address homelessness.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

opinion

Backbench MPs are expected to use their brains or their mouths, but not both

Robyn Urback

4 min read

November 11, 2025

MP Chris d'Entremont, who crossed the floor from the Conservatives to join the Liberals, is applauded and patted on the back by his new colleagues as he arrives at a meeting of the Liberal Caucus on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

MP Chris d'Entremont, who crossed the floor from the Conservatives to join the Liberals, is applauded and patted on the back by his new colleagues as he arrives at a meeting of the Liberal Caucus on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

opinion

Can the Conservative caucus please eat a Snickers bar?

Robyn Urback

4 min read

November 6, 2025

FILE - JJ from Austria stands on the stage with the trophy after winning the Grand Final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

FILE - JJ from Austria stands on the stage with the trophy after winning the Grand Final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

opinion

Mark Carney’s budget will make Canada the strongest economy in Eurovision

Robyn Urback

4 min read

November 3, 2025

The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the one-year mandatory minimum jail sentences for accessing or possessing child pornography are unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the one-year mandatory minimum jail sentences for accessing or possessing child pornography are unconstitutional.

opinion

The Supreme Court used a far-fetched hypothetical to axe minimum sentences for child pornography

Robyn Urback

4 min read

October 30, 2025

TORONTO, ONTARIO - OCTOBER 24: Fans cheer in the stands after Seranthony Dominguez #48 of the Toronto Blue Jays struck out Enrique Hernandez #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in game one of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Center on October 24, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)

TORONTO, ONTARIO - OCTOBER 24: Fans cheer in the stands after Seranthony Dominguez #48 of the Toronto Blue Jays struck out Enrique Hernandez #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in game one of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Center on October 24, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)

opinion

World Series tickets are a luxury item, and we shouldn’t put government caps on luxuries

Robyn Urback

4 min read

October 28, 2025

Ontario Premier Doug Ford attends an availability at Chapman's Ice Cream in Markdale, Ont., on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Ontario Premier Doug Ford attends an availability at Chapman's Ice Cream in Markdale, Ont., on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

opinion

Doug Ford’s anti-tariff ad was a waste, whether or not it torpedoed trade talks

Robyn Urback

4 min read

October 23, 2025

Government of Canada public pensions web page is shown on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. Low-income seniors will no longer have to apply for an income top-up under a newly-launched program to automatically sign them up for the benefit payments. As of now, seniors who automatically enrolled for old age security benefits will also be automatically considered for the guaranteed income supplement based on their tax filings.THE CANADIAN PRESS

Government of Canada public pensions web page is shown on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. Low-income seniors will no longer have to apply for an income top-up under a newly-launched program to automatically sign them up for the benefit payments. As of now, seniors who automatically enrolled for old age security benefits will also be automatically considered for the guaranteed income supplement based on their tax filings.THE CANADIAN PRESS

opinion

Canada needs to rein in spending. How about we stop handing out billions to wealthy seniors?

Robyn Urback

4 min read

October 22, 2025

What’s going on with Pierre Poilievre?

October 20, 2025

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre holds a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre holds a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

opinion

Is Pierre Poilievre okay?

Robyn Urback

4 min read

October 17, 2025

Beluga whales swim in a tank at Marineland amusement park in Niagara Falls, Ont., Friday, June 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Beluga whales swim in a tank at Marineland amusement park in Niagara Falls, Ont., Friday, June 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

opinion

Are zoos destined to go the way of Marineland?

Robyn Urback

4 min read

October 14, 2025

From left, Paraguay's President Santiago Pena, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, U.S. President Donald Trump, Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides and Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban attend the Gaza International Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (Suzanne Plunkett/Pool Photo via AP)

From left, Paraguay's President Santiago Pena, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, U.S. President Donald Trump, Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides and Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban attend the Gaza International Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (Suzanne Plunkett/Pool Photo via AP)

opinion

Donald Trump was the essential element for the Gaza ceasefire

Robyn Urback

4 min read

October 10, 2025

A young new Canadian holds a flag as she takes part in a citizenship ceremony on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Canadians' pride in their nationality, like most things these days, seems to be divided down partisan lines, a new poll suggests. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

A young new Canadian holds a flag as she takes part in a citizenship ceremony on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Canadians' pride in their nationality, like most things these days, seems to be divided down partisan lines, a new poll suggests. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

opinion

The Conservatives are right: Canada should end birthright citizenship

Robyn Urback

4 min read

October 8, 2025

Ontario Premier Doug Ford empties a Crown Royal bottle of whisky at a press conference in Kitchener, Ont., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. Ford criticized the popular whisky's parent company, Diageo, for their plan to close one of their Ontario bottling plants in the coming months. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

Ontario Premier Doug Ford empties a Crown Royal bottle of whisky at a press conference in Kitchener, Ont., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. Ford criticized the popular whisky's parent company, Diageo, for their plan to close one of their Ontario bottling plants in the coming months. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

opinion

Doug Ford’s ‘Captain Canada’ shtick is getting old. Doesn’t he have a province to run?

Robyn Urback

3 min read

October 3, 2025

A coalition of disability rights groups says it is launching a Charter challenge against a part of Canada's law on medical assistance in dying.A patient's hand is held at a hospital, in Minneapolis, Monday, May 3, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS-David Joles-Star Tribune via AP

A coalition of disability rights groups says it is launching a Charter challenge against a part of Canada's law on medical assistance in dying.A patient's hand is held at a hospital, in Minneapolis, Monday, May 3, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS-David Joles-Star Tribune via AP

opinion

Canada has lost the plot on MAID

Robyn Urback

4 min read

September 25, 2025

Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree makes his way to speak in the Foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree makes his way to speak in the Foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

opinion

The Public Safety Minister accidentally tells the truth about Canada’s gun-buyback program

Robyn Urback

4 min read