There go the TV debates
TORONTO–The worst thing that happened to nationally televised political campaign debates is that the first one actually meant something. Those of a certain age will recall the 1960 showdown between Richard Nixon and John Kennedy, and the impact, in Kennedy’s favour, that it had. It wasn’t that Kennedy articulated his positions more clearly. Quite the […]
Boudria strikes new committee to study pot bill: private member’s bill opposed by the government gets through House on a rare voice vote
Government House Leader Don Boudria says he remains committed to getting the Liberals’ bill to decriminalize marijuana possession adopted this fall, adding that he will move to strike a new committee this week to study the legislation. The Cannabis Reform Bill, C-38, has been languishing on the Order Paper for weeks amid speculation that its […]
It’s important we grasp NATO’s importance now: NATO is and will remain the cornerstone of the defence of its members
LONDON, ENGLAND–Defence Ministers usually observe or receive reports on exercises from a distance, but sometimes it is good to be put to the test ourselves. This week, John McCallum and I will attend the NATO Defence Ministers meeting in Colorado, we will take part in a study seminar aimed at helping us understand how well […]
Parliament is broken, shows new televised documentary: series part of an ‘underground royal commission’ showing waste, lack of accountability is endemic [Does your vote count?]
As part of its continuing series showing that Canada’s Parliamentary system has broken down, Toronto-based Stronoway Productions is launching a television documentary series on Oct. 7 featuring an impressive array of MPs, bureaucrats and political insiders who lament the sorry state of democracy in this country. It makes for sober viewing. The event kicks off […]
Inside House Finance pre-budget consultations: ‘our testimony will take care of whoever is Finance Minister having this testimony on-record’
The House Finance Committee is plowing ahead on its pre-budget consultations and plans to wrap up hearings on Nov. 7 before the House breaks, but it’s uncertain if the usually influential report will be released this year, before the next federal budget, says the committee’s leader. Liberal MP Sue Barnes (London West, Ont.), chair of […]
The spin doctors: “Has Sheila Fraser’s audit on George Radwanski ‘cranked’ up pressure for Parliamentary reform and on making the government and its bureaucrats more accountable?”
“Has Sheila Fraser’s audit on George Radwanski ‘cranked’ up pressure for Parliamentary reform and on making the government and its bureaucrats more accountable?” Warren Kinsella Liberal Strategist “I don’t know where this one is going to go: it has already taken so many unexpected twists and turns, anything is possible. “Mr. Radwanski will answer the […]
The spin doctors: “Should Liberals be worried now that the Alliance and Tory House leaders are working on a joint strategy to take on the government in Parliament?”
“Should Liberals be worried now that the Alliance and Tory House leaders are working on a joint strategy to take on the government in Parliament?” Warren Kinsella Liberal Strategist “These guys couldn’t work together on a three-house paper route. Concerned? Yeah, you bet. Paul and Sheila are up nights, now, and they’ve got the worry […]
Whistleblowing protection not in the cards: Robillard
Though union leaders are gearing up to make their final pitch before Parliament tomorrow to amend the government’s Public Service Reform Bill with better whistleblowing protection, the person they really need to influence likely won’t be swayed. In an interview last Thursday, Treasury Board President Lucienne Robillard confirmed that she is not ready to accept […]
Public servants have ‘game’: why balanced reporting rarely emerges from large, lumbering bureaucracies
If you want to understand how organizations work, turn your gaze away from the foibles and quirks (or every inspired leadership) of the persons who lead them. Of course leadership can make a huge difference. But if you want to play the odds, i.e., make better predictions over a variety of different situations over a […]
Americans, British face serious credibility test over weapons of mass destruction
Transparency is meant to be a basic tenet of democracy. But lack of it, especially in crucial foreign policy decisions can cause much consternation in democratic states. [Graph Not Transcribed] Such is the case now as both U.S. President George Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair struggle to convince their respective citizens, of the […]
