Visible minorities continue to be underrepresented in the federal public service: Employment equity report to Parliament
The federal public service has met its targets to hire women, aboriginals and persons with disabilities to reflect the Canadian population, but the statistics are nothing to be proud of, especially since visible minorities continue to be underrepresented, says one of the largest federal public service unions. The 2004-2005 annual report, Employment Equity in the […]
CONSERVATIVE NOMINATION CONTESTS UNDER FIRE
A Conservative Party member says he is “very disappointed” in his own party after his nomination papers for potential candidacy in a B.C. riding were rejected “without any specific reason” last week. “I’m very disappointed, I’m hurt, I’m a longtime member of the party. This is not a way to treat someone who’s volunteered thousands […]
Following the Wrzesnewskyj affair, make Parliamentary trips independent by banning interest-group sponsored junkets
First, a confession. I know Borys Wrzesnewskyj. I even like the guy. I made a modest donation to his election campaign. Not that I would vote for him. I support Borys because he is a Ukrainian Canadian and a principled advocate on many issues of interest to our community. Alas, he climbed up Parliament Hill […]
With the 2006 election over, who can complain about its media coverage? Not the Conservative Party
Political parties invariably resent the coverage they receive from the media. They feel as though they are forced to fight election campaigns on two fronts, the first against their political opponents and the second against a press corps reflexively opposed to their ambitions for office. Now that the 2006 federal election is history, who has […]
Tories have accomplished more than half of their election promises
The Conservative government has addressed or achieved more than half of its election campaign promises since taking power, according to an analysis by The Hill Times. In 234 promises in 58 different categories of their campaign platform, the Conservatives have delivered fully or partially on 135 items, a 57.6 per cent completion rate. “We’re extremely […]
Parties are playing political football with foreign policies powerful enough to redefine Canada’s international persona
It’s past time for federal politicians to stop playing home games with foreign policy. That’s as true for Afghanistan as it is for the Middle East. More violence is on the near horizon in those tough neighbourhoods. The Afghan mission now hangs between partial success and bloody failure while this summer’s inconclusive test of Mideast […]
To the best of my knowledge, I’m not aware of any MP in the Liberal caucus who represents the riding of Lebanon South
The non-events of last week at the Liberal caucus retreat in Vancouver have confirmed what we knew since Jan. 23. Prime Minister Stephen Harper will lose his job only if he decides to quit after winning a Lotto 6/49 jackpot (and that’s an unlikely possibility), or if some hotheads in his caucus accumulate nostalgic feelings […]
The Spin Doctors
Mike Storeshaw Conservative Strategist “Conservatives take them all in a landslide. “Okay, maybe not. The Quebec political landscape is as competitive as it has been in decades, because Conservatives have made it that way. We are the only federalist party that understands and respects provincial jurisdiction, with a real commitment to restore fiscal balance. We […]
Former chief of staff to Ambrose joins Ottawa lobbying firm
Former chief of staff to Environment Minister Rona Ambrose has joined a lobbying firm in Ottawa as director of research. Daniel Bernier, who left Minister Ambrose’s (Edmonton-Spruce Grove, Alta.) ministerial staff abruptly in June, joined Summa Strategies last week. Since June, there has been no official explanation available for Mr. Bernier’s exit from the top […]
Finally! A story that doesn’t matter: Why we hyped JonBenet
Don’t blame media for JonBenet Ramsey. It’s been a hot summer, and sometimes you have to cut the tension. Journalists, like coroners, meet people at their worst. They are paid to dissect the results of tragedy or failure, and it wears. That’s why old reporters walk with a stoop. Coroners have their limits, too. Norway […]
