It’s ‘the friendship factor’ and lobbying [lobbyists fund raise for politicians]
Ten years ago, ‘the friendship factor’ and trust relationships may have helped politicians and lobbyists argue against any potential conflicts of interest, but not in today’s ethically-sensitive environment. So, you’re a lobbyist and you throw a fundraiser for a politician whom you’ve known for years.You charge $150 a person and raise $9,000.Then you find yourself […]
Conacher calls Harper’s proposed Federal Accountability Act ‘most extensive, comprehensive and effective package in history’
The Conservative Party’s proposed Federal Accountability Act is the “most extensive, comprehensive and effective package in the history of Canadian government,” says Democracy Watch coordinator Duff Conacher, but voters shouldn’t trust that Stephen Harper will implement any of the initiatives unless he guarantees his promises by putting his own job on the line. “Politicians play […]
‘Sustainable Economy’ requires sustained investment in our transportation infrastructure: Liberal MP Tonks
The only responsible way to move forward in the long-term will be to develop a National Sustainability Plan that maps out Canada’s transportation and other sustainability priorities. Canada must make substantial investments in its transportation infrastructure over the next decade to ensure Canada’s competitive position in the global economy. This will require strategic investments in […]
Pollsters, strategists warn against Christmas election
Opposition parties threaten to resort to ‘nuclear’ option and say they’re prepared to pull the plug on the House of Commons if necessary. With a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the House of Commons, pollsters and strategists say opposition parties may want to reconsider plans to torpedo the shaky Liberal government before they start gunning […]
Security concerns growing as Transport Minister prepares for ‘worst case scenario’: Jean Lapierre to name new panel following Fifth Estate investigative reports on airport security
Only a few days after a media report uncovered serious security shortfalls in Canada’s major airports,Transport Minister Jean Lapierre said the federal government is getting more alarmed about the country’s vulnerability to a terrorist attack. “The transportation security file is one that is of increasing concern to me,”Mr. Lapierre (Outremont, Que.) said in an email […]
Libs don’t get it, but transportation is glue that binds Canadians
It’s time for a significant financial investment in road infrastructure. The Conservative Party will support the Strategic Highway Investment Program and work with the provinces to achieve a truly ‘National Highway System’ with a first-class Trans-Canada Highway as the centrepiece. Although the Liberals have clearly not understood it, transportation is the glue that binds Canada […]
The Parti Quebecois won’t want another leadership race for at least 20 years, after they get through this one
Combine the Gomery after-shock with the Paul Martin government centralist attitude and it’s impossible not to believe that Gilles Duceppe, as soon as he passes ‘go,’ will collect votes like Bill Gates collects billions. QUEBEC CITY – As you read this column, Quebec sovereigntists are voting by telephone to choose their new leader. Out of […]
Public transit is the key to government’s cities agenda of the future, says Godfrey
Infrastructure and Communities Minister John Godfrey says public transit is key to the government’s cities agenda, but says the $600-million set aside for public transit funding under the gas tax deals could vaporize if the House defeats the supplementary estimates next month. “We have to get it through the supplementary estimates [vote] in December,” Mr. […]
Canadian broadcasters are adapting to new challenges, but to survive we need transformative business plans now
But while entrepreneurial boldness is necessary, individual actions will not be enough. We are at a time of profound transformation. Audio and video content that was once delivered exclusively through the broadcast system is now available to Canadian consumers through ubiquitous technology and smarter and smarter devices that are expanding the presence and possibilities of […]
Harper’s ethics package
One of the “major flaws”in Conservative Leader Stephen Harper’s ethics package is that it targets only former Cabinet ministers and their staffers and not the opposition critics and their staffers from lobbying the government after they leave public office, says a senior Liberal lobbyist, who didn’t want to be named. “These people do get access […]
