MPs who took part in last Monday night’s debate on “Canada’s significant commitment” in Kandahar, Afghanistan which is currently under the U.S. Operation Enduring Freedom
Conservatives 1. Defence Minister Gordon O’Connor (Carleton-Mississippi-Mills, Ont.) 2. Conservative MP Rick Casson (Lethbridge, Alta.) 3. Conservative MP Laurie Hawn (Edmonton Centre, Alta.) 4. Conservative MP Brian Fitzpatrick (Prince Albert, Sask.) 5. Conservative MP Larry Miller (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, Ont.) 6. Conservative MP Jason Kenney (Calgary Southeast, Alta.) 7. International Cooperation Minister Josée Verner (Louis-Saint-Laurent, Que.) […]
Some media mourn federal Liberals’ defeat, focus on Grit leadership
They say a human being pushed head-first from an airplane will achieve a constant speed of 300 km/hour-the point at which friction and gravity achieve near-perfect balance. What leadership campaign does this remind you of? Like a man without a parachute, Liberals have the exhilarating sensation of wind in their hair in a perfectly-balanced plunge […]
Tories to create a citizen’s assembly on proportional representation
After the Conservative Speech from the Throne promised to look at electoral reform, NDP leader Jack Layton (Toronto-Danforth, Ont.) said he hopes to see special consultations on proportional representation up and running very quickly. “This House of Commons could have before it, by the end of the year, a recommended system of proportional representation,” Mr. […]
Health Minister Clement hires a new communications adviser
Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn hires Roxanne Marchand as his press secretary Federal Health Minister Tony Clement has hired a new communications adviser for his ministerial political office in Ottawa. Tina Arvanitis, 25, started her new job as communications adviser to Mr. Clement recently. Minister Clement’s communications office is led by director of communications Robin Walsh, […]
Political parties receive first quarter allowances
The Liberal Party received $2,282,186.93 last week in first quarter allowances from Elections Canada for Jan. 1 to March 31. The allowance is part of the $1.75 per vote that parties receive if they got more than two per cent of all valid votes or at least five per cent of the votes in the […]
Would-be reformers of the Westminster model yearn for a legislature that provides effective scrutiny on actions and decisions of Cabinet
“You can’t always get what you want But if you try sometimes, you just might find You get what you need. (a.k.a. The Reformer’s Theme Song) In my last column, I suggested that New Zealand might have blazed a trail for any would-be political reformers in this country. On the surface, at least, it seemed […]
Conservatives won’t say who will be the next public sector integrity commissioner
A former civil servant who was praised in Justice John Gomery’s first report on the sponsorship scandal for denouncing and refusing to sign murky government contracts with advertising companies could receive the position of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner, but critics say he’s potentially too close to the situation. Allan Cutler, who also ran unsuccessfully […]
Veteran Sun Media columnist Doug Fisher recently said House Speaker Peter Milliken has been ‘completely ineffective at controlling the daily oral Question Period.’ Do you agree?
Mike Storeshaw Conservative Strategist “Mr. Fisher has probably employed a bit of exaggeration to make his point. I think everyone in the little village we call Parliament Hill was pleased to see Peter Milliken re-elected as Speaker of the House. His humour, charm, and nearly unmatched knowledge of procedure make him a great fit for […]
Lights, camera, controversy!
As the ongoing skirmish between the Prime Minister Stephen Harper and media continues to make life difficult for reporters on the Hill, the press gallery is wrestling with its own policies on access-specifically, the practice of giving out “day passes” to reporters who don’t normally cover the Hill. Although mostly provided for the convenience of […]
May steps down from Sierra Club, Green leadership on horizon?
Elizabeth May stepped down as the executive director of the Sierra Club of Canada last week amid rumours she will run for Green Party leadership. In a press release last week, the board of the Sierra Club said it “reluctantly accepted her decision.” “Elizabeth has led the Club at the national level from its infancy […]
