The 35 hottest issues, tickets, bills and events to watch this fall in federal politics
1. Governor General’s swearing in ceremony After speculation that the CBC lock out would hinder Michaelle Jean’s swearing in ceremony as the 27th Governor General, it looks as though everything will go off without a hitch, Sept. 27. 2. Justice John Gomery’s report on the Sponsorship Scandal After 131 days of testimony from 183 witnesses, […]
Canada looks at expanding cooperation under NORAD: Graham: Defence Minister Bill Graham won’t rule out Canada could be in Afghanistan for another decade
Canada’s peacekeeping role is changing, Canada is looking at expanding its cooperation under NORAD and Canadian Forces are being “re-equipped, reorganized and transformed” to defend Canada and North America from future terrorist attacks, says Defence Minister Bill Graham. Mr. Graham (Toronto Centre, Ont.) said the Canadian Forces will be transformed “to deal with any threat […]
Parrish and O’Brien say they may not run in the next election
Independent MPs Carolyn Parrish and Patrick O’Brien say they may not run in the next election and won’t return to the current Liberal Party of Canada. Two former government MPs who now sit as Independents may not run in next federal election. Outspoken Independent MP Carolyn Parrish (Mississauga-Erindale, Ont.) and Independent MP Pat O’Brien (London-Fanshawe, […]
Industry and activist groups closely watching Bill C-60, Canada’s Copyright Act, while Brian Tobin registers as a lobbyist
A friendly word of advice to clients of federal lobbyists: Don’t bother calling between the hours of 2:15 p.m. and 3 p.m. this week. Like the rest of official Ottawa, they’re going to be glued to the television for Question Period to get a read on the political dynamics that will set the stage for […]
Canadians must be careful not to throw ourselves too hard into the arms of our American neighbours, keep alliances open instead
It is my pleasure, as Bloc Quebecois defence critic, to present you with our analysis of the new defence policy. The defence budget represents a significant sum of money for taxpayers. Moreover, the budget will increase by 45 per cent over the next five years, to an annual total of $18.2-billion. It is thus vital […]
It’s Winnipeg’s man on the Hill
Paul Samyn, Parliamentary reporter and bureau chief for the Winnipeg Free Press, doesn’t like to follow the pack. His beats are anything having to do with Manitoba or to Western Canada. A native of Winnipeg, Man., Mr. Samyn, 40, earned his bachelor’s in history from the University of Winnipeg and later on a diploma in […]
So what have Canadians done for the U.S. lately?
With their eyes relentlessly on the hole while studiously avoiding the doughnut, Canadians have vigorously hyperventilated over the latest rounds in the softwood lumber dispute. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Although Hurricane Katrina promises a potential market in reconstruction equivalent to clear-cutting much of British Columbia and with it also a revival of the U.S. lumber industry, […]
China to mark anniversary of diplomatic relations with Canada next month, but media should hold the misleading hype
Journalists are never to take anything at face value. It is their best quality. They live by the elemental rule of media once summed up in a copywriter’s slogan: “You must mind the ancient law and never write what you ain’t saw.” Next month marks the anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Communist China. […]
Recently-released books
Against the Grain: An Irreverent View of Alberta by Catherine Ford, McClelland and Stewart, $34.99, 256 Pages. Blurb from the inside cover: “On the surface, [Alberta] appears to be monolithic in its politics, radically conservative in its opinions, and macho in its demeanour. But Catherine Ford shows that this is a lopsided outsider’s view of […]
What if Powers and Kinsella wrote the next Throne Speech?
Remember that this is a minority Parliament and that doesn’t mean voters have been happy about what goes on here. Mr. Powers: Honourable Mucky Mucks and fellow Canadians: I am your new hip Governor General, the one who Prime Minister Paul Martin picked to make him seem with it. Prime Minister, please stop flailing your […]
