McCallum on government’s $1.5-billion injection into Canada’s natural resources over next five years: ‘Approximately half of that or a little less is money to transform this industry, to move it to the next’
The following is an edited excerpt of Natural Resources Minister John McCallum’s speech he delivered to the Ontario Energy Association Breakfast in Toronto on Nov. 25, three days before the government was defeated on a non-confidence vote in Ottawa. In The Economist magazine a couple of months ago, it was written that the resource sector […]
Recent government appointments before the Liberals were defeated
In the last two weeks before the Liberals were defeated, there were a number of government appointments worth noting. On Nov. 24, Industry Minister David Emerson appointed Christiane Germain and Gordon MacInnis to the Canadian Tourism Commission for a three-year term. On Nov. 23, Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew appointed Nancy Riche and Michael Small […]
Stoffer plans to throw annual Hill bash even if he’s defeated
Political insiders usually get excited about December because of the high number of cocktail parties hosted by the four political parties and individual MPs. But this time, everyone is disappointed that all the parties are cancelled due to the current election campaign. “I’m disappointed, but that’s the reality of a minority Parliament,” said national Liberal […]
Some facts on Canada’s natural resources industry
* In 2004, the total value of all mineral commodities mined in Canada was $24.2-billion, an $3-billion increase from 2003. * Coal production increased to $1.6-billion in 2004 from $1.5-billion in 2003. * The value of gold production, Canada’s second most valuable mineral commodity in 2004, declined by 4.4% to $2.2-billion and the volume of […]
Conservative staffer to take on rookie incumbent Scott Simms
One Conservative Party Hill staffer is running in the next election. Aaron Hynes, legislative assistant to Conservative MP Guy Lauzon,who is running for re-election in Stormont- Dundas-South Glengarry, Ont., is running in the Newfoundland and Labrador riding of Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor. Mr. Hynes is facing off against incumbent first-term Liberal MP Scott Simms . The federal […]
Elections, environment and national media coverage
The reason why the environment is not ‘top of mind’ during the election campaign has much more to do with the reporters who cover campaigns than with the political leaders. Every time there is an election, environmental groups attempt to make the environment an election issue. Over the years, I have concluded that the reason […]
Recently Released Books [American Backlash: The Untold Story of Social Change in the United States] [The Golden Spruce: A True Story of Myth, Madness and Greed] [Royal Transport: An Inside Look at the History of Royal Travel] [Forging Alberta’s Constitutional Framework] [Fair Trade for All] [The Governor General and the Prime Ministers] [War X]
American Backlash: The Untold Story of Social Change In The United States, by Michael Adams, Viking Canada, 230 pages, $35. Blurb from the back cover: “American Backlash is about that trajectory. It documents a surprising and radical change in the mental posture of the American people since the 1970s. Conventional wisdom depicts a political divide […]
Some 1,500 civil servants on two-year language waiting list
Government’s new bilingual requirements creating a massive nightmare for the Canada School of Public Service. Some 1,500 federal government employees are on a two-year waiting list to meet the second-language requirements of a new bilingual directive in the public service. Changes to the public service policy for federal government employees may have looked good on […]
Tis the season for BlackBerry thumb, but don’t over-use it
Forget about slippery sidewalks and icy roads. Candidates and party organizers should be cautious about overusing their BlackBerry wireless handheld devices, if they want to make it through the campaign without a trip to the disabled list. “Pretty much everyone who has ever used one has experienced pain in their thumbs,” said Toronto-based ergonomist Tania […]
Furlong joins Foreign Affairs Minister’s Office
Minister of Foreign Affairs Pierre Pettigrew has hired a new political aid for his ministerial office. Kim Furlong is starting her new job as director of communications to Minister Pettigrew (Papineau, Que.) on Monday, Nov. 28.That’s a dramatic first day on the job because Nov. 28 is the day when the government is expected to […]
