P.E.I. Grit leadership convention on April 4 and April 5
U.S. Ambassador Cellucci talks to CBC Radio in Ottawa guest this week MONDAY, MARCH 3 House Sitting — The House is not sitting this week, but will resume sitting again on Monday, March 17, after a two-week break in the 301 constituencies and trips abroad. For more information, please call the Government House Leader’s Office […]
The price of U.S. victory
UNITED NATIONS, N.Y.–Is it better for the United Nations to be disunited or to be united? In all international organizations, the operating mantra is unity. That’s why so many of the decisions and proclamations issued by these bodies are so vague and convoluted. All member states can thereby sign on to the document, even if, […]
Layton hires acting chief of staff Maureen Prebinski/Jean-Francois Thibault will join Industry Minister as new EA
OTTAWA–A former Hill staffer will run as the NDP’s candidate from the riding of Ottawa Centre in the upcoming provincial election in Ontario expected to take place in April or May of this year. Jeff Atkinson, 35, won the NDP nomination unopposed last month. A native of Duart, Ont., Mr. Atkinson worked on the Hill […]
George W. Bush a profile in courage: U.S. President has bet his presidency on facing the Iraqi threat today
WASHINGTON, D.C.–It’s fill time. Everything useful has been said about the confrontation over Iraq. But there is still empty air time and column inches of newsprint to fill. Thus the heads will talk and the pundits will prognosticate and the marchers will march. However, the important element in the equation is none of the above; […]
It’s Alice in Wonderland on the Hill: The beginning of the dying days of Chretien’s government
TORONTO–Last week an MP described Parliament Hill and its community as “the Price Club of the Gossips.” This was a bit harsh because the picture on the Hill these days is much more complicated. But lately, I have to admit watching the goings-on in Ottawa is a little like watching Alice in Wonderland. These days, […]
Hablas espanol? [Partners in North America: Advancing Canada’s relations with the United States and Mexico]
The Commons’ Foreign Affairs Committee broke new ground last week by putting out the first Spanish version of a Parliamentary report. And just in time, too. Prime Minister Jean Chretien left for Mexico on a two-day state visit on Feb 27 to meet President Vicente Fox, and copies of the massive 340-page document were brought […]
Political leadership should not end with budget: Much will turn on how the funds made available in the budget are administered
OTTAWA–John Manley says that his budget is about the society that Canadians value. And, truth be told, most Canadians support the idea of investing in health care, poor families, poor children, aboriginal Canadians, the homeless and foreign aid — without going into debt. Why then did so many of us feel a tightening in the […]
Chretien asks Cabinet ministers to stick close to home
OTTAWA–Prime Minister Jean Chretien has ordered his Cabinet ministers to stay close to home during the two-week March break recess, imposing a ban on overseas trips and leaving Cabinet ministers with the “impression” that he is considering a Cabinet shuffle. The travel ban, imposed at last Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, was not primarily connected to the […]
Senators honoured with stamps
Quebec Liberal Senator Jean Lapointe is looking for a few good Senators. Last week the relatively new Senator announced in the Upper Chamber that he’s managed to convince Canada Post to begin issuing the first-ever series of stamps commemorating the achievements of prominent Senators, and implored his colleagues to come up with suggestions of deserving […]
Campaign finance reform bill wrong
Prime Minister Jean Chretien wants to force all Canadian taxpayers to finance political parties whether they want to or not. That’s the upshot of his so-called campaign finance reform bill recently introduced into the House of Commons. Chretien’s plan, which will cost Canadian taxpayers about $30-million a year, is wrong for a lot of reasons. […]
