Parliamentarians want to smooth Brazilian relations
Canadian Parliamentarians could get the chance to smooth relations with Brazil when legislators from 27 North, South and Central American countries and Caribbean Nations gather this week on the Hill. The Parliamentarians will be meeting for the first-ever Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas (FIPA) session, they say, in order to raise the voices of “civil […]
House reform suffers set-back [Motion to reaffirm Speaker’s power to rule certain amendments out of order]
[Graph Not Transcribed] Opposition House leaders are fuming over Don Boudria’s decision to hinder report stage amendments without also introducing some form of House reform. The opposition parties were expecting Government House Leader Boudria to negotiate a tradeoff for House reform with them before making a move, but Mr. Boudria has decided to act on […]
We must harness power of biotechnology, use it responsibly
The biotechnology debate rages on in an environment strangely devoid of solid facts and arguments. The public debate is largely one-sided, with anti-biotech forces far better organized in the communication of their message that biotechnology is bad. Proponents of biotechnology have failed to effectively communicate an articulate message in defence of biotechnology. Part of the […]
Don Boudria as PM’s lapdog
[Graph Not Transcribed] In the beginning there was… Parliamentary reform. It continues unabated, except “reform” has amounted less to making Parliament more responsive to democratic ideals and more bogged down in empty political rhetoric. As a result, Parliament has grown less democratic, not more, and the trend continues. Which brings us to the recent National […]
Eggleton wants MPs to get a military life [Canadian Forces Parliamentary program]
MPs will soon be jumping out of planes, joining rescue missions aboard Canada’s Labrador helicopters and tagging along with Canada’s peacekeepers in Bosnia. Defence Minister Art Eggleton (York Centre, Ont.) recently sent out a pamphlet to all MPs, asking them to take part in the “Canadian Forces Parliamentary Program.” The idea is based on a […]
Standards should be set to require full testing of GMOs
Sound science, we are told, is the very foundation of decisions to bring genetically-engineered fods to market. Government regulators and industry officials have assured us that science underlies their conviction that genetically-engineered foods are safe to eat and genetically-engineered crops do not harm the environment. Some scientists from Canada and the U.K. for years have […]
PMO fingered as source of cabinet leaks
A senior government insider is pointing the finger at the Prime Minister’s Office as a possible source of recent cabinet leaks, considered “one of the major breaches of cabinet confidentiality.” The source, who did not want to be identified, said Grit MPs and Liberal supporters believe the PMO, more than chatty Industry Minister Brian Tobin […]
Canada is disregardng caution in biotech race for market share
There is no more clearly demonstrated need for openness, accountability and transparency on the part of the federal government than in the area of biotechnology. Massive technological change involving genetic engineering is permeating every aspect of our lives without citizen input, Parliamentary scrutiny or public information. Secrecy and silence are the watchwords of this field. […]
Nader tells Ottawa to press government on “silent violence” [Science & the Public Good forum]
[Graph Not Transcribed] Government whistleblowers were honoured with several standing ovations at the Council of Canadians’ recent “Science and Public Good” forum. The day-long forum, held on Feb. 16, recalled an old-fashioned teach-in and had a clear message for Ottawa — it’s time to scrutinize the lax safety testing accorded biotech goods and the weak, […]
Levant says he has three years to get Stockwell Day in shape
[Graph Not Transcribed] He’s a little more sedate and his high-velocity patter has been reduced by a few RPMs, but Ezra Levant is back. After almost two years as an editorial writer for the National Post, the lively 29-year-old political strategist returned to the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition. But a lot […]
