The low-down and dirty on the gun registry: The exploding cost of the Canadian Firearms Program: a primer
There has been much ado in the press about the huge cost overrun on the Canadian Firearms Program (CFP) created shortly after Bill C-68 was enacted on Dec. 5, 1995. The Auditor General’s report released Dec. 2, 2002 states that for the period 1995/1996 and 2004/2005, CFP will cost at least $1-billion, but this figure […]
Give your Spin Doctor a shake
Regarding last week’s Spin Doctors question, “Who are the winners and losers of John Manley’s first (and last?) federal budget?” (The Hill Times, Feb. 24). I deplore redundancy, but, could someone please tell Spin Doctor Tim Powers that the art of spinning is to answer the question by not answering the question, as opposed to […]
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, […]
Proportional vote could be real sleeper: Sheila Copps
OTTAWA–Heritage Minister Sheila Copps says she is a “brassy broad,” has some “sass,” and is seriously contemplating winning the leadership of the party because she has a solid chance of winning and pointed to the new proportional representation process of electing delegates as the possible surprising sleeper of the Liberal leadership race 2003. Moreover, Ms. […]
We must start taking the threat of terrorism seriously: Government’s fence-sitting approach evident in its national security strategy
PARLIAMENT HILL–Last week, evidence surfaced prompting high-level sources to warn the United States and Canadian governments of imminent threats of terrorism. But, while the United States went into a heightened state of alert, this country remained complacent. The Liberal government refuses to believe that Canada could be a serious target of terrorist organizations. This “it-can’t-happen-to-us” […]
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 […]
Copps boasts support of 26 MPs and Senators: Former PMO strategist Jean Carle helping out on Sheila Copps’ bid
OTTAWA–Heritage Minister Sheila Copps, the only officially declared candidate in the Liberal leadership race so far, says at least 26 MPs and Senators support her bid to replace outgoing Prime Minister Jean Chretien. “I have six MPs and 26 caucus Members [total],” she said in an interview last week with The Hill Times. The minister […]
Of morons and bastards
Last week, The Los Angeles Times called up The Hill Times newsroom. Considered one of the best newspapers in the U.S., an LA Times reporter wanted to know more about the Canadian Parliamentarian who was calling Americans “bastards.” And by the way, the reporter wanted to know, what was a PM and did we have […]
MPs get $3.3-million boost to office budgets: House budget increases to $325-million, up $100-million in 10 years
OTTAWA–MPs will benefit from a three per cent boost to their operating budgets next year and what amounts to an increase of $3.3-million in the total House of Commons budget. The move is expected to allow MPs to stay better connected to their constituents. These numbers were buried in the main estimates tabled by Treasury […]
MPs’ and Senators’ Birthdays
*NDP MP Svend Robinson, 51, March 4, 1952 *Liberal MP Marcel Proulx, 57, March 6, 1946 *Alliance MP John Cummins, 61, March 12, 1942 *Liberal MP Paul DeVillers, 57, March 11, 1946 *Liberal MP Bob Wood, 63, March 11, 1940 *Tory Sen. Therese Lavoie-Roux, 75, March 12, 1928 *Liberal MP Maria Minna, 55, March 14, […]
