Politicians will be politicians, eh? Two old adversaries come together to settle ‘unfinished business’ and reflect on life as politicians on the Hill
So, it’s official. Brian Tobin won’t be returning to politics anytime soon. Nor will his old counterpart John Crosbie, for that matter. Okay, it’s not exactly a news flash, but it resurfaced last week when the two former colourful Newfoundland federal political players, who have the gift of the gab for the cut and thrust […]
We’re studying agriculture to death, says NDP’s Dick Proctor: Studies to counter criticism that government uninterested in health and welfare of farm families, rural economy
Here we go again. The United States Congress is fine-tuning an additional $74- billion aid package to subsidize their farmers even more, all the while paying lip service to free trade and level playing fields. Everyone concedes this will have a dramatic impact on the ability of Canadian farmers to compete. What is Canada doing […]
Fast Eddie finally gets the top globe gig
Good things come to he who waits… Well it took a little longer I thought, but Eddie Greenspon finally gets to be editor of The Globe and Mail. I figured the man who beat out Ed for the job several years ago, Englishman Richard Addis, would have been gone by last fall. But I’m sure […]
Coming soon to Canada: U.S. campaign trends: Many here will likely turn toward deficiencies in our own fundraising rules
I recently attended the annual Campaigns & Elections conference in Washington, D.C., organized by the American magazine Campaigns & Elections. The most high-profile gathering for the business of getting people elected, the conference gives fascinating insight into the trends of U.S. electoral politics. As a Canadian, it is worth exploring these trends because, with a […]
Dazed and confused: Young Liberal
Like many members of the Liberal Party of Canada, the recent membership rule fiasco has left me both frustrated and confused. The frustration stems from the fact that, after an apparent agreement was reached to remove the restrictive membership rules, the Martin camp decided that they didn’t want to keep their word and instead preferred […]
Leadership candidate Harper risks an embarrassing defeat
Last week’s announcement of the Canadian Alliance’s membership numbers only confirmed what many of us had long suspected — namely, that there is little wind left in the sails of Stephen Harper’s leadership campaign. Once considered the front-runner to replace Stockwell Day at the helm of the opposition party, Mr. Harper was forced to reveal […]
‘Both had a wonderful Nova Scotia sense of humour’: Sen Oliver
Remembered by his many friends and colleagues for his sharp wit and sense of style, former Nova Scotia Conservative senator Finlay MacDonald died March 2 in a Halifax hospital of a heart attack. He was 79. Born in Sydney, N.S., in 1923, Mr. MacDonald had an illustrious career in Tory backroom politics and broadcasting. “He […]
[The fate of those women who’ve been dumped from cabinet under Jean Chretien’s watch]
For the past couple of months, undeterred by the strong rebuke that she received from the Prime Minister, Carolyn Bennett has continued to voice her concerns over the role of women in the governing party. But while Ms. Bennett, who is a medical doctor, has mostly been lobbying for better recruitment of female candidates and […]
Former Alberta Senator Horace Andrew ‘Bud’ Olson dies at 76
Remembered as one of the most powerful Liberals in his home province of Alberta, former Liberal Senator Horace Andrew Olson died suddenly of a stroke last month, Feb. 14, in Medicine Hat. Known as “Bud” to his friends, he was 76. After leaving federal politics, Mr. Olson served as Alberta’s 14th lieutenant-governor for four years, […]
[Not many observers are in danger of confusing Anne McLellan, an Edmonton MP with slightly right-of-centre sensibilities, with Allan Rock]
Not many observers are in danger of confusing Anne McLellan, an Edmonton MP with slightly right- of-centre sensibilities, with Allan Rock, a Torontonian who’s perceived to represent the Liberal Party’s left. But just in case, Ms. McLellan has made it clear that she’s less than eager to offer her predecessor in the volatile Health portfolio […]
