Peace on Earth and pass me some political books, will you
There were no political books on this fall’s list that were exceptional. Most will have very brief shelf life and staying power, headed for the remainder bin by Easter. The great events of 2001 happened outside of Canadian politics: the collapse of the value of the tech sector, the Sept. 11 attacks, the war in […]
A long-time spinmeister demystifies grand mythology of ‘spin’
Allow me first to declare the fact that I have known Allan Bonner for over 15 years and that I received my first media training from him when I was a junior diplomat at Foreign Affairs. Since then I have been in media relations and communications for a decade, learning through mistakes but always returning […]
Politicians tell Paikin why politics is so seductive
The Life: The Seductive Call of Politics, is TVO host Steve Paikin’s foray into the heart of political ambition and is admirably neutral when covering the range of political parties in Canada. Although there is an emphasis on Ontario, Mr. Paikin documents the experiences of politicians and pollsters in all parts of the country, of […]
‘I’m famously known as a cynic, but what I am is a bruised idealist’
Sitting down with veteran columnist Allan Fotheringham, as he makes the rounds on a publicity tour for Fotheringham’s Fictionary, an encyclopedic assemblage of people, places, and things, is more fun than scoring front-row seats at Yuk Yuk’s. Dr. Foth has compiled an album of his greatest riffs and pet peeves, and is in top form […]
Parliament’s power stripped by regulations: insiders see slippery slope as legislation details changed without Parliament input
Auditor General Sheila Fraser, who warned last week that power is quickly leaking away from Parliament, is being backed up by Parliamentarians who say, “government by regulation” is part of the problem. Moreover, a Conservative Senator says the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations has been powerless to deal with this emerging trend […]
Ron Duhamel believes he’s won cancer battle
[Not Transcribed] At a time when Veterans Affairs Minister Ron Duhamel is concerned about regaining his health, he’s having to contend with political rumours that he’ll be out of cabinet–and perhaps out of politics altogether–with the next shuffle. Cancer has been a spectre for Mr. Duhamel (Saint Boniface, Man.) since he was first diagnosed with […]
“This hasn’t been done before: FINTRAC director Horst Intscher
[Not Transcribed] Hawalas, the money-transferring systems identified as possible tools for terrorist financing, will be tightened up now that Canada’s new financial reporting laws are in effect, says FINTRAC director Horst Intscher. After years of behind-the-scenes planning and organizing, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (FINTRAC), an independent agency funded by the federal government, […]
[Fotheringham’s fictionary of facts & follies]
Sitting down with veteran columnist Allan Fotheringham, as he makes the rounds on a publicity tour for Fotheringham’s Fictionary, an encyclopedic assemblage of people, places, and things, is more fun than scoring front-row seats at Yuk Yuk’s. Dr. Foth has compiled an album of his greatest riffs and pet peeves, and is in top form […]
Health minister talks about his challenges: NDP critic says health minister is losing battle for dollars at cabinet table
As Canada heads into the next millennium, and critics charge that the healthcare system is in disarray, Health Minister Allan Rock says he’s focused on one thing. He wants to modernize the medicare system “so that it is a true efficient healthcare system providing quality care.” In an interview with The Hill Times last week, […]
Health Protection Branch consults public on its role: Canadian Health Coalition lobbies against transition hearings
As the Health Protection Branch — the guardian of the foods we eat and pharmaceuticals we take — examines ways to “modernize” its role, critics warn that the outcome of this exercise will erode public safety and put the health of Canadians at risk. “The duty of the government to protect the public is at […]
