We are a missionary society
The put-down of “the narcissism of small differences” as a description of the search for minor, cross- border variations in values and attitudes has often been hurled at Canadian nationalists when they try to find reasons to describe Canada as a distinct nation rather than just a watered-down version of the U.S. Most of these […]
Parliament girds for contract probe scandal: Committee also call on Alfonso Gagliano to testify
Opposition MPs are laying the groundwork for Parliament to probe whether Liberal ministers interfered in the awarding of the three contracts to Groupaction Marketing worth $1.6-million. They also plan to call ministers and government officials to testify about their involvement in the growing scandal, in particular former Public Works minister Alfonso Gagliano, who is now […]
PM’s Task Force hopes to work with Agriculture Minister, rural and farm organizations, consumer groups, to establish a vision
The Prime Minister’s Caucus Task Force on Future Opportunities in Farming was established to assist governments in moving beyond ad hoc, crisis-driven decision making in agricultural policy. On April 17, the task force released an interim report which summarizes what Task Force members heard while travelling across the country, and outlines some of the structural […]
Historical precedent no excuse, but provides perspective: In the 1991 Gulf War, 35 of 148 U.S. combat deaths and 72 of 467 wounded from friendly fire
WASHINGTON, D.C.–Canadians are angry — and justly so — over the death of four of their soldiers and the wounding of eight others in an attack by a U.S. F-16 while participating in a night training exercise in Afghanistan. There have been apologies, and there will be investigations. In the end, there will be explanations, […]
Grit tolerance a one-way street
Late last week, Prime Minister Jean Chretien received a thunderous standing ovation at a Liberal fundraising dinner for standing firm against the scourge of hatred and intolerance. “Ladies and gentlemen, intolerance is absolutely and totally unacceptable,” he said “… the lessons of history teach us that we ignore acts of intolerance at our peril. “Canada […]
Privatizing DND’s supply a security threat: DND union boss John MacLennan warns Liberals
The Defence Department’s plan to sell off its supply chain management responsibilities to a British company will threaten Canada’s national security, says the leader of the union that represents DND employees. “We’ve always been opposed to privatization of any public sector jobs because this department has failed, and that’s supported by the Auditor General’s report […]
Kyoto: Take eyes off the prize: Alternative energy, not a flawed greenhouse gas treaty, is needed, says Canadian Alliance MP Bob Mills
Kyoto is a bad deal for Canada and should not be ratified. It would be economically and environmentally devastating to our country even though the net benefit to the climate would be negligible. Prominent economists explain that Kyoto would cost Canada tens of billions of dollars every year the treaty is in force — that […]
Canadian way as quiet collaborator in democracy is pretty good: Challenge is to shape institution to unique national circumstances, strengthen roots of democratic culture
The Globe’s Jeffrey Simpson recently called on Canada to “go the extra mile for democracy” by creating a national institute to promote democracy at home and abroad. The idea was inspired by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in the United States and its offspring, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the National Republican Institute. […]
Sensational CBC 60 Minutes story fuels stronger attacks on Canada’s refugee and immigration policies, negative stereotype
The refugees and immigrants whose infusion into Canada fuelled decades of development are under attack by the Canadian Alliance in Parliament. The negative stereotyping generated by these attacks does not help in creating a tolerant and inclusive society. There are about 12 million refugees on the move in almost every part of the world in […]
Lunch with Mel Cappe: Clerk of PCO spends $61,000 on travel, meals
Mel Cappe, the Clerk of the Privy Council and the most powerful public servant in the land, spent $61,000 on travel expenses and meals over a 19-month period between April 1, 2000 and Nov. 8, 2001. The figures are found in expense claims recently released by the Privy Council Office through the Access to Information […]
