NFB’s absurd pro-Campbell line [Kim Campbell Through the Looking Glass]
Winners accept responsibility even when they lose. Losers don’t. Which brings us, of course, to former prime minister Kim Campbell and the fawning NFB documentary, Kim Campbell Through the Looking Glass, shown last week on TVO. Directed by Michelle Jones and produced by Silva Baskmajian, it glossed over Campbell’s personal political stupidity and bought holus […]
Ralph’s one-party system
Those who worry about the evils of one-party rule are generally beside themselves over the Liberal federal hegemony. In downtown Toronto, near the conjunction of King and Bay streets, bankers, brokers, bondsmen and investors have been mightily engaged in efforts to merge the Progressive Conservative party with that of the Reform Alliance. Having sunk over […]
MPs poised for Inter-Parliamentary Forum of Americas
Parliamentary powers…Recent events in Colombia have underscored the scourge of that country’s illegal drug trade for the newly-created Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas, which is scheduled to meet in Ottawa in March. Last fall, Colombian Senator Antonio Guerra — a member of the Forum’s steering committee — was kidnapped by Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia, a […]
Library of Parliament to get a boost, more staff
The majestic Library of Parliament will receive more money to better serve House and Senate committees and it will likely mean eight new research officers will be hired. Parliamentary Librarian Richard Pare said the library has submitted a proposal to the government House leader and the Senate and House Speakers asking for eight new research […]
Brazil beef ban thrusts two civil servants into media spotlight: after reading Globe and Mail’s story, new Health deputy minister Ian Green asked Diane Kirkpatrick to handle the issue
Two top federal civil servants were scrambling to put out last week’s public relations fires, namely irate Brazilians and equally irate Health Canada scientists. [Graph Not Transcribed] Dr. Brian Evans, chief veterinary officer at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, set off an international storm of controversy when he decided to ban Brazilian beef products, citing […]
Non-race for Quebec’s premier job a lonely, egotistical run to top
Lucien Bouchard is not gone yet but he’s been mostly invisible since he announced his intention to quit politics. Last week he joined the Prime Minister in China. The week before he was in Rome having a chat with the Pope. The week before that, he was in Spain to see where the rain mostly […]
Martinites punished over conference call: PMO got word of call between five Martin MPs days before the election [Committee assignments]
[Graph Not Transcribed] [Graph Not Transcribed] Paul Martin supporters strongly suspect prominent Martin MPs were punished for a conference call that took place before the election. Why else would one MP be dumped entirely from the House of Commons committees list and another put on the unpopular Joint Library of Parliament Committee, they say. Martinite […]
Clark knocks Alliance off track, again: industry minister Brian Tobin suspects Beaudoin is Joe Clark’s source
Joe Clark’s continuing assault on the Liberals in Question Period has Alliance strategists rethinking their frontbench and Industry Minister Brian Tobin questioning the Tory leader’s sources. Despite having far fewer questions in the House, Mr. Clark (Calgary Centre, Alta.) has made good use of his time and consistently scrums in the House foyer after every […]
Chretien’s biggest worry: Mulroney [It’s payback time for Clark and Mulroney]
Forget the Martinites, Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s biggest concern these days is former prime minister Brian Mulroney and Conservative Leader Joe Clark. “According to media reports it looks like Paul Martin’s supporters are the major concern for Prime Minister Jean Chretien, but in reality the major concern for the Prime Minister’s Office comes from Montreal, […]
Russian diplomats shouldn’t tarnish image of diplomatic community
Foreign Affairs Minister John Manley hopes the Russian diplomat accused of dunkenly running down an Ottawa woman with his car will “go to a cold place for as long as possible.” But, beyond hoping this will happen, there is not much Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister can do because diplomats are protected by “diplomatic immunity.” The […]
