The Canadian Annual Review of Politics and Public Affairs is an acclaimed series that offers informed commentary on important national events and thoughtfully considers their significance in local and international contexts. This latest instalment reviews the year 2004, which saw the thirty-eighth general election, in which the Liberal party was elected to a minority government.

The extension of Canada's involvement in Afghanistan and media coverage of the Maher Arar inquiry fuelled continuing uncertainties about national and personal security. Government financial misdeeds, including the sponsorship scandal and Paul Martin's management of Canada Steamship Lines lowered public confidence in political parties and public servants while Canadian-US trade disagreements over softwood lumber and beef brought challenges to NAFTA. Nevertheless, the implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, the legalization of same-sex marriage in many provinces, and the appointment of Louise Charron and Rosalie Abella to the Supreme Court of Canada were indicative of Canada's continuing commitment to supporting the diversity of its citizens.

David Mutimer is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science and deputy director of the Centre for International and Security Studies at York University.

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