Apologies to Omar Khayyam
Our political leaders provide endless fodder for cynics and satirical comedians. Take the PM’s latest legacy, a $100- million Canada History Museum Centre earmarked for the old railway station and Government Conference Centre. This political history museum will be run by the competent but hobbled staff of the National Archives and National Library of Canada. […]
PCO Clerk Himbelfarb, Judd draw audience of two Liberal MPs
The country’s two most senior bureaucrats got the cold shoulder from the Commons Government Operations and Estimates Committee last week, when only two MPs bothered to stick around for the bulk of a hearing on making the federal public service more accountable to Parliament. Alex Himelfarb, clerk of the Privy Council, and Jim Judd, secretary […]
Gun registry beyond redemption
It seems to me that the federal firearms registry is a modern day equivalent to the emperor’s new clothes. Not only will it fail to protect us from the elements (in this case criminal ones), but is also downright foolish in appearance, practicality, and cost. Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba were the first ones laughing at […]
Nutty complaints dominate Military Watchdog report: National Defence Ombudsman tables his annual report
Being allergic to Brazil nuts could make you ineligible to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces. At least it could up until last year when a private was nearly let go for that very reason but managed to save his job at the last minute by appealing to military ombudsman Andre Marin. The case was […]
Tories walk the walk
Of course Canadian Alliance Leader Stephen Harper is “shocked” and “troubled” by Peter MacKay’s win. In his victory, MacKay reconfirmed there will be no merger or agreement to protect Alliance candidates in some regions of the country. Since the PC Party voted a year ago to reconfirm its commitment to the 301 rule, the Alliance […]
‘Give me some time’: MacKay
Tory MPs say they’re optimistic their newly-elected leader Peter MacKay will soon emerge out of a cloud of criticism fired at him from inside the party, from media and from political pundits for making a controversial deal with leadership contender David Orchard which helped him finally win 64 per cent of the vote on the […]
Let the sun shine in
The House passed Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s highly controversial Campaigns and Elections Finance Bill in a vote of 172-62 last Wednesday evening. The bill is expected to be passed by the Senate in July. The bill is a positive step in the right direction for more accountability and transparency. It also puts elections financing into […]
LeDrew’s comments appear to be biased, says Ashley
One of the candidates running for the presidency of the Liberal Party of Canada says there “appears to be a bias” in the comments of current Grit Party President Stephen LeDrew who last week created a storm of controversy when he told the National Post “there is not a race” and has been accused of […]
Western Canadian Tories feel burned by Maritime Tories
Maritimes Tories have pretty well burned their bridges to western Canada. Whatever they say, the answer is basically “go away,” “get lost” or “drop dead.” There’s nothing left to say to them. It’s truly over. John Stark Richmond, B.C. Maritimes Tories have pretty well burned their bridges to western Canada. Whatever they say, the answer […]
Boudria calls it quits early: ‘It’s been determined if Paul Martin wins, Parliament will become ungovernable:’ Williams
After saying two weeks ago the House wouldn’t adjourn before June 20 Government House Leader Don Boudria pulled the plug on the House of Commons a week early, after failing to get unanimous consent from MPs. Several NDP and Tory MPs objected to the move, forcing the minister to move a special adjournment motion that […]
