“On the Iraq question, columnist Richard Gwyn recently wrote that ‘not in decades has Canada been so irrelevant to a major international issue.’ How do you respond?”
Warren Kinsella Liberal strategist “I admire Richard greatly, but — and you knew there would be a but, didn’t you? — he has succumbed to the culture of defeatism that has beset too many others these days. “It’s not enough to simply observe that the U.S. and Britain (on one side of the divide) and […]
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, […]
Teaching world about Canada a never-ending job for DFAIT: ‘In Italy, we never think about Canada’
OTTAWA–Canada has long been seen by our neighbours down south and overseas as a country populated by hewers of wood and drawers of water. But Canada is actually a high-tech leader, or so the government has been determined to prove through various awarenessraising programs over the years. One of these rolled into town last week. […]
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, […]
Libs becoming a party of free spirits, says Liberal MP John Bryden
OTTAWA–The decision by 22 Liberal backbenchers to defy their government by voting to amend the Lobbyists Registration Act, C-15, is yet another sign party discipline is weakening within the governing party, says the author of the amendment, Liberal MP John Bryden, who predicts the next party leader will inherit a caucus that is becoming increasingly […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
