Tories face unbridled and unmanageable democracy
Ronald Reagan’s favorite words in the Constitution of the United States of America, as he often said, were the first three: “We, the people.” As an abstraction, it resonates nobility of thought and purpose. In real time, we the people can also be a distraction, rude, rough, unpredictable, and sometimes fearsome. This has special application […]
Reform targets private members’ business [Subcommittee on Private Members’ Business]
The Enforcer cometh…The Subcommittee on Private Members’ Business, the source of much anger and backroom manoeuvering for MPs trying to get their private members’ bills made voteable has a new chair. Rookie Ontario MP Lynn Myers now must steer the committee on the decision of whose bills survive and whose die on the Order Paper, […]
Question period: Do you think Canada should have a Ken Starr?
“Well, I think we’re kind of fortunate not to have too many Ken Starrs in Canada. It seems to me, politics in the U.S. seems to be sinking to an all-time low. I’m certainly not saying that what President Clinton has done is in any way shape or form right. But it seems to have […]
Government tries to cover up evidence in APEC: access applications on PM’s involvement still remain unanswered
Prime Minister Jean Chr tien wants to lead Canadians into the millennium and beyond and go for a third term. But to many his recent actions show a leader disdainful of basic human rights that include the right to dissent and the public’s right to know. Just how much longer can his leadership based on […]
The inside dope on Bouchard recent cabinet shuffle
Many, since the adjournment of the National Assembly last June, expected Lucien Bouchard to conduct a major shuffle. He needs to face the electorate with new, fresher and younger faces it was thought. Not so. When he moved his ministers around a couple of weeks ago, he did very little. In fact, his shuffle is […]
Spector says PMO has wink-wink policy on no-guns rule: former Mulroney chief of staff Norman Spector says Americans would be one for the exception
A former chief of staff to prime minister Brian Mulroney says the PMO often has a “wink-wink nudge-nudge” policy towards foreign leaders bringing armed security guards into the country. At the same time, Norman Spector, who is now a columnist for The Globe and Mail, said that one big change that has taken place since […]
Devastating report could doom Falardeau-Ramsay’s chance for Supreme Court: senior politicans were angry when she lashed out at the federal government on pay equity [Auditor General’s report]
Last week’s devastating auditor-general’s report on the Canadian Human Rights Commission may doom any chance that the commission’s chair will find a seat on the Supreme Court of Canada. Auditor General Denis Desautels questioned whether the commission, headed by Michelle Falardeau-Ramsay, and the Human Rights Tribunal panels are resolving complaints “quickly, impartially and expertly,” as […]
Stoffer contemplates running for House fisheries chair: Hubbard favored to take over for popular Baker
An opposition member of the House Fisheries Committee says he wants to take a run at leading the politically-charged committee, after the government was accused of bouncing its controversial chair veteran Liberal MP George Baker from the post last week. NDP fisheries critic Peter Stoffer (Sackville-Eastern Shore, N.S.) said he is considering putting his name […]
New lobbying opinion could force senators who are corporate directors to register [Includes members of Senate banking committee and their directorships]
Senators who also sit as directors of corporations may have to watch their step to avoid running afoul of the latest advisory opinion issued by the Lobbyists Registration Branch. According to an opinion published last month, outside directors — those who are not employees of a company or organization — who undertake to meet with […]
The PM’s instincts of survival [Alberta and the election of senators]
Presumably, everyone in Alberta is hot under the collar because the prime minister appointed Douglas Roche to the Senate. This has spoiled their plan to elect their own senator in a province-wide election. Alberta’s Premier, Ralph Klein, has written the prime minister saying, “I think you have underestimated the depth of feeling on this issue […]
