Some journalists treat the Gomery Report like a game of tag
The public is sick of the Adscam, even if some journalists are oblivious to the shame. Did nothing profound come out of Adscam? Poets think deep thoughts, so I asked the Parliamentary Poet Laureate, Pauline Michel, if she planned to compose any verse about the sponsorship scandal. No, she replied. She was overwhelmed with requests, […]
Dingwall is entitled to one week per year: PCO guidelines
Opposition parties say former Royal Canadian Mint president is entitled to a severance of one week per year, according to PCO guidelines. David Dingwall, who resigned a little less than three years early into a five-year posting as president of the Royal Canadian Mint last month because he said he was “somewhat compelled” to over […]
Framing Canada, Part I: Martin speech a compelling one, so why isn’t it satisfying?
From a public policy viewpoint, Martin’s speech was thoughtful and far-reaching. But it was not a satisfying speech. When the dust settles, we’re left wanting more. So what makes a big policy speech satisfying and memorable? Prime Minister Paul Martin must be exasperated. Over the last 18 months, he has endured repeated attacks for lacking […]
Bennett says preparing for avian flu ‘a bit like studying for an exam’
The WHO says Canada is ‘relatively well-prepared as a country’ for avian flu, but the government is facing some criticism over its preparations to protect the Canadian people. The World Health Organization says Canada is “relatively well-prepared as a country,” to deal with an anticipated influenza pandemic, and Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh says he and […]
Message to Conservatives: stop focusing on election talk and focus on issues that really matter to Canadians
Jay Hill ignores the fact that this government and this Prime Minister have already faced more than 40 confidence votes in the House of Commons. There will be more to come, on such important issues as the energy price relief bill. In recent days, I took the unusual step of providing opposition House leaders with […]
A look at MPs’ salaries and travel expenses for 2004-2005
Member of the Sessional Travel House of Commons allowances($) expenses($) Abbott J 141,000 140,584 Ablonczy D 141,000 105,091 Adams Hon WP 141,000 36,629 Allowance as Committee Chairperson 1,439 Alcock Hon R 141,000 77,236 Allard CM 34,075 9,909 Allowance as Committee Vice- chairperson 7,244 Allison D 106,925 49,551 Ambrose R 106,925 92,543 Anders R 141,000 94,928 […]
Liberals ramp up election preparation
The powerful Ontario wing of the federal Liberal Party is holding a campaign college and a series of workshops about how to run a successful election campaign on Oct. 29 for all Ontario riding candidates and MPs seeking re-election. The campaign college, to be held at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Hamilton, Ont., from 1 […]
Automotive subsidies: unfair and unnecessary advantage: Subsidies give the automotive industry an unfair advantage over other Canadian Industries
When Buzz Hargrove, the leader of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) pleads for government subsidies for the automobile industry it is tantamount to asking – as the Conservative Party of Canada does – for corporate tax cuts. Strange bedfellows! The big difference is that Mr. Hargrove’s request amounts to special pleading for the auto industry, […]
Canada’s Amb. to U.S. McKenna: A persona less and less grata
In case you missed it, late last month U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins slipped into Washington, D.C., and before a distinguished Chamber of Commerce audience excoriated Canada and its system of government. No he didn’t but Canada’s Ambassador to the U.S. Frank McKenna did. WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, late last month U.S. […]
MPs spent $25.99-million on travel costs last year
Liberal MP David McGuinty spent $35 on travel last year, but other local Ottawa-area Grit, Conservative and NDP MPs racked up bigger travel expenses. MPs like their travel. But local Ottawa Liberal MP David McGuinty spent only $35 on travel last year, while other local Liberal, Conservatives and NDP MPs spent tens of thousands of […]
