Make or break session for Prime Minister Chretien
After one of the most divisive Parliamentary sessions in recent memory, feisty MPs return to the Hill on Jan. 27 for what will be one of the most important legislative sessions in the Prime Minister’s career. This is his make or break legacymaking session and it will definitely be the one to watch. Government backbenchers, […]
Future of NDP
Regarding last week’s editorial, “NDP needs some fire,” (The Hill Times, Jan. 20). Your editorial on the NDP says the NDP will never form a national government and shouldn’t try. If that is the case, the NDP should cease to field candidates in federal elections. The real question is this: do most Canadians — who […]
Tories get drunk, Libs get laid, NDP debate policy, yeah, baby!
It’s silly season early…The boys and girls are back this week from their long Christmas break in the 301 ridings across the country — and there is a change in the pecking order. We have a new NDP leader, but I don’t care what Saskatchewan NDP MP and former newspaper sports writer Dick Proctor says; […]
Liberal staffers to watch in 2003: Staffers in the PMO, Justice, Foreign Affairs, Finance and DND
Hill insiders point out that the current House session will be of critical importance, especially for Prime Minister Jean Chretien who wants to leave a legacy behind before he retires in 12 or so months. But as the PM’s publicly-stated retirement date gets closer with each passing day, some of these insiders also say it […]
Feds should move on Health Council idea
Regarding the “Digital Voice” column “Health Council idea is a sharp one,” (The Hill Times, Jan. 13). The CMA would like to commend Don Lenihan and Sarah Lawler for their informative examination of a Canadian Health Council to allow governments to make better decisions regarding the health system. The CMA proposed the idea of an […]
Spector’s story
If there’s a tougher assignment for a journalist than the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, well, it hasn’t been invented yet. Which is why, of course, individual journalists and media outlets must be especially careful on the topic. Which brings us, alas, to a well-argued, public charge of bias against CBC’s Mideast coverage, levelled by Norman Spector, Canada’s […]
Corporate ban a mistake: Grit MP Discepola
A total ban on corporate and union donations could invite less not more transparency into Canadian politics, cautions a Quebec Liberal MP who expressed skepticism that Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s proposed political financing bill will clean up the perception that big business can buy influence. Nick Discepola (Vaudreuil-Soulanges, Que.) told The Hill Times that if […]
PM’s election threats: a dangerous game of ‘chicken’: ‘One-man army’ Jean Chretien seems willing to relegate caucus to the sidelines
As a Member of Parliament, I take my role as a representative of the people very seriously. Since 1988, I have been privileged to serve the constituents of Sudbury, and to have them renew their trust in me in three subsequent elections. It is both gratifying and humbling to know that members of your community […]
Harper case should be appealed: Ruling spells trouble for Canada’s political fundraising laws
OTTAWA–Last month, an Alberta court ruled that Canada’s third-party spending law is unconstitutional. The case was launched by Stephen Harper when he was head of the National Citizen’s Coalition. Since becoming leader of the opposition, Harper has been mum about the case, and it’s not hard to see why. Third-party spending is money spent by […]
Maharaj, Harb support PM’s move
Liberal Party President Stephen LeDrew, who recently called the PM’s idea to ban corporate donations as “dumb as a bag of hammers,” says the party should instead cap corporate donations at $100,000. “I am very much against a ban on corporate or union donations to political parties but I think there should be a limit […]
