There will be no mass exodus of Jewish votes from the Liberals to the Conservatives in next election
Soon after the dust settles, and an agreement is finalized on the cessation of hostilities in the Middle East, one of many Conservative backroom boys, cubby-holed deep into the Gothic corridors of Parliament Hill, will be charged with the task of determining the electoral consequences of the PM’s foreign policy shift. If this backroom boy […]
Playing the tough guy would jeopardize Canada’s international image
After wisely staying out of the Iraq war, Canada is being drawn toward the Middle East quagmire that is its aftermath. One step deeper is the suggestion that NATO troops should be deployed in Lebanon-a bad idea with troubling implications at home as well as abroad. For many Canadians, the suggested Atlantic alliance intervention and […]
‘Federal Accountability Act’ doesn’t contain 21 promised measures
As others have before him, Robin V. Sears uses a combination of false and exaggerated claims that ignore fundamental democratic principles, in his attack on the proposed Bill C-2 (the so-called “Federal Accountability Act”) which Sears wrote about in the July 17 issue of The Hill Times. Sears’ first claim is that “political participation by […]
Jewish lobby far more powerful than Arab lobby: source
The Jewish and pro-Israel lobby is far more powerful than the Arab lobby in Ottawa, says one source close to the government’s Middle East policy. In an interview, the source said that the Arab lobby traditionally has been weaker, with fewer resources and less organizational power. The Jewish lobby, on the other hand, is powerful, […]
Conservatives to meet for caucus retreat
Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay will brief the National Conservative Caucus on Aug. 4 about the Middle East and Canada’s evacuation efforts at the party’s two-day caucus retreat in Cornwall, Ont., or, in Tory territory. Mr. MacKay (Central Nova, N.S.) has been criticized for keeping a low profile and having little influence as Canada’s foreign […]
The Spin Doctors
Mike Storeshaw Conservative Strategist “This opposition talk about being an honest international peace broker makes for interesting coffee-house chat, but it’s completely irrelevant to the situation today. “Perhaps my friends in the opposition could take some time to explain their premise as it relates to the current conflict. Between whom should Canada insert itself to […]
Prime Minister says he’s not a ‘micromanager’
Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) is not a “micromanager” and lets his ministers “carry the ball” on important files, the Prime Minister told Reader’s Digest in its August issue. “I don’t think I am a micromanager. I’m a guy who is aware of, or, is trying to make himself aware of, the most […]
Parliament needs Middle Eastern associations, partnerships: MPs
Parliament should establish full-fledged Parliamentary associations with the world’s Middle Eastern countries and, at the very least, should revive the less influential Parliamentary Friendship Groups, say some MPs. NDP MP Alexa McDonough (Halifax, N.S.), who is trying to re-establish the Canada-Palestine Friendship Group, said Parliament needs to give these associations more financing and complained that […]
Scarpaleggia backs Dion, after ‘months of serious reflection’
Grit MP Francis Scarpaleggia (Lac-Saint-Louis, Que.), chair of federal Liberal Quebec Caucus, says he’s backing Liberal leadership candidate Stéphane Dion (Saint-Laurent-Cartierville, Que.) “after months of serious reflection,” noting that Mr. Dion’s bilingualism was an important factor in his decision, along with his “intellectual honesty,” and his understanding of federalism and environmental issues. “The environment, especially […]
Former B.C. Liberal Cabinet minister contemplates running as Conservative in next election
The Liberals took Canada’s ethnic minorities’ support “for granted” for nearly 13 years while in government, but based on the Conservatives’ first five months in power ethnics are now willing to give the Tories a chance, says a former B.C. Liberal Cabinet minister who’s considering running as a Conservative in the next election. “At this […]
