Should there be a federal election now? Absolutely
Anyone can and probably should have an opinion on this issue. Personally, I’m strongly in favour of fixed election dates every four years. I believe that the Parliament we elect is the Parliament we should have – in all ways and for four years to the day. Minority, majority, it doesn’t matter. Over those years, […]
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 […]
Air India probe into Flight 182
After releasing his preliminary report, Lessons To Be Learned, Bob Rae announced last week that he will lead a limited inquiry to the 1985 Air India bombing that killed 312 people. His inquiry will be conducted under an order in council and will initially not have the power to subpoena documents or compel testimony. In […]
Parliamentary Precinct’s long-term vision and plan includes new security measures
A new vehicle screening facility for Parliament Hill could cost more than $34-million to construct, according to an estimate from Leroux, Chauhan, Ouimet & Associates Inc. Under the government’s long-term vision and plan for the Parliamentary Precinct, a new vehicle screening facility would be built for access to Parliament Hill. Leroux, Chauhan, Ouimet & Associates’estimates […]
Pollsters say they’re scientists, but most are primarily salesmen who sell polls
There will be a general federal election and millions will vote, despite the public opinion polls. Do you want to go to work tomorrow? Do you want to keep up the car payments? Do you want a winter election? No, me neither. We could complain but it wouldn’t do any good.Yet one of these pointless […]
Opposition parties more eager for ‘E-mas’ than Grits: Federal incumbents to encourage Canadians to take advantage of early polling stations if the weather is good on those days
The federal Liberals are worried about being buried in the upcoming winter and Christmas election campaign. Senior party officials and MPs admit they have few ideas to cope with cold weather and its effects on recruitment and campaigning. “People will be deluding themselves if they think that they are going to get the same rate […]
Liberals decry own government’s lack of progress on boosting visible minorities in the federal government
“It was a shocker when I got here,”said rookie Conservative MP Michael Chong, first elected in 2004. “After several years on Bay Street, where you see visible minorities at all levels, I was shocked to see their absence in the House of Commons staff and in the public service.” He also said he could not […]
Government funding announcements in the last two weeks
Nov. 25: * $5-billion to fight aboriginal poverty Nov. 24: * $1.5-billion in softwood lumber loan guarantees * $755-million in emergency assistance to grains and oilseeds producers * $700-million to address problems associated with the backlog and processing of immigration files * Canada’s Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot Program announcements to deploy broadband, […]
