Harper made it crystal clear the federal government’s first priority is an open America
WASHINGTON, D.C.-What’s on Stephen Harper’s mind is now on his lips. Anyone who bothers to listen will learn what’s worrying the Prime Minister and where his government will lead Canada this fall. In conversation here with George W. Bush and later with the press, Harper made it crystal clear the federal government’s first priority is […]
A Michael Ignatieff could not happen in the United States
WASHINGTON-Michael Ignatieff could not happen in the United States. Or, to be more precise, the Ignatieff political phenomenon could not occur. As an intellectual, commentator, writer, financier/entrepreneur, scientist, athlete or virtually any member of society, an “Ignatieff” by whatever name would be easily welcome and highly successful in the United States. But not as an […]
Korksi’s candidates for ‘Worst Column To Appear in Print’ awards
Journalists like to receive awards but don’t often give them out. That seems ungenerous. So, in the spirit of public service I’m naming my candidates for the Worst Column To Appear In Print. Ho-hum media are a dime a dozen, but awful journalism is a national treasure. I used to collect bad headlines, a lively […]
Some memorable legal disputes and threats in the last two years
June 2006 After NDP MP Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre, Man.) verbally attacked Liberal MP Joe Volpe over donations he received from 11-year-olds, Mr. Volpe threatened to sue him unless an apology was made. Mr. Martin apologized. June 2006 Conservative MP Rob Anders is facing a lawsuit against him for a wrongful dismissal launched by a […]
The Spin Doctors
by The Hill Times “Do you agree that MPs should be allowed to use their per diem to pay for mortgages on homes they may own in Ottawa? Mike Storeshaw Conservative strategist “Before we start hollering about pigs at the trough, we should acknowledge that being an MP is one of very few jobs in […]
‘I have more control now’ over media, says Prime Minister
Maclean’s magazine is “proud” to sign up for the Prime Minister’s media list and, while other news organizations adopt policies of staying off the list, its policy is “abject surrender,” Maclean’s columnist Paul Wells said in an interview. The Prime Minister’s media list has been a source of dispute between the Parliamentary Press Gallery and […]
Tories receive $2.5-million from Elections Canada
Elections Canada released last Friday the amount of money each party received for the second quarter of this year. The Conservative party received the most money for receiving the most number of votes in the Jan. 23 election at $2,515,737. The Liberals received $2,096,926 for obtaining 30.2 per cent of vote while the NDP received […]
National media fight on-the-record with PMO press aide
On June 30 at a Giant Tiger outlet in Ottawa, Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) wanted to do a simple photo op for the coming into force of his one per cent GST cut, but reporters began questioning him about a release from the office of Chief Electoral Officer Jean-Pierre Kingsley, who on […]
CAJ wants ATI laws reformed
The Canadian Association of Journalists is calling on the government to strengthen the Access to Information Act by adding five amendments to the law. “The CAJ is calling upon all federal political parties to endorse five basic principles, and to ensure that these principles are enshrined in the Federal Access to Information Act,” said Rob […]
Put Parliament under Canada’s Access to Information Act
Back in 1997, Stephen Harper told The Hill Times that he thought the House of Commons should publicly reveal how much it spends on MPs’ legal fees every year. “I’ve always been a supporter of disclosure, in the due course of time. I don’t think they should have to disclose it instantly but public funds […]
