CanWest decimates bureau
A hell of a mistake… Even in these days of regular layoffs of reporters, the Bloody Wednesday axing of six veteran reporters from the CanWest (formerly know as Southam) News Service Hill bureau shocked the Parliamentary Press Gallery and the body politic alike. The condemned were called up to what is fast becoming known as […]
PM to attend his last Gallery Dinner
On Saturday afternoon, Jean Chretien will likely put on his shirt, bow-tie and tuxedo, shine his shoes and tuck one of the year’s most highly-anticipated speeches into his inside breast pocket before setting off to the National Arts Centre for his final Parliamentary Press Gallery Dinner as Prime Minister of Canada. Don Martin, a columnist […]
Bravo to U.S. President Bush: Bush also tackles issue in first term as opposed to waiting until safety of his second term
Bravo to President Bush! Because of his efforts, there is new hope and momentum in the Middle East to resolve the lingering Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has claimed thousands of innocent lives on both sides. The United States President whom some least expected to tackle international issues is doing just that. However, Mr. Bush is familiar […]
“Will Peter MacKay’s deal with David Orchard help the Liberals in the next federal election?”
Warren Kinsella Liberal strategist “What follows is Warren engaged in a conversation with Warren (something that, sadly, happens too often): “That wily old Paco Francoli… this one is clearly a trick question. It has to be. “I mean, it is so patently obvious that the answer is yes — it is so clear, so self-evident, […]
Here’s the bottom line on PM’s Campaign and Elections Finance Bill: Highly controversial Bill C-24 back in the House this week
The government’s proposed political fundraising law, Bill C-24, has emerged from the House Affairs Committee and will be back in the House this week, with several key improvements. Perhaps the most significant change made by the committee was a reduction in the individual donation limit from $10,000 to $5,000. While this amount is still far […]
Last of Liberal Party leadership debates on Saturday
Parliamentary Press Gallery dinner in Ottawa this Saturday night too MONDAY, June 9 House Sitting–The House is sitting this week and is scheduled to remain in session until Friday, June 20. The schedule could change. For more information on the House calendar, please call the Government House Leader’s Office at (613) 952-4930. Senate Sitting–The Senate […]
MacKay finishes the job
Peter MacKay has completed the job that Kim Campbell began of turning Canada into a one-party state. A decade ago, Campbell reduced the Conservatives from the alternate governing party to, with just two seats remaining, a bit of political nostalgia, still the possessor of an invaluable brandname but one that more and more Canadians, like […]
Grits headed for another divisive vote
The federal government is headed for another clash with several members of its own backbenchers this week as it moves to restore $9-million from Transport Canada’s budget, funding which had been removed by Grit MPs on the House Transport Committee during their annual review of the federal department’s spending priorities. Although this latest showdown is […]
Once again the Prime Minister misses the point: ‘They were attacked. We are part of their coalition against terrorism’: Jean Chretien
WASHINGTON, D.C.–In the midst of the current hissing match between Prime Minister Jean Chretien and the U.S. Administration there is no comment that more epitomizes our differences than Chretien’s off-hand rebuttal of criticism, “We are part of their (emphasis added) coalition against terrorism.” Not “our war against terrorism” or even “the war against terrorism” but […]
MacKay has all it takes to be a phenomenal leader: But he doesn’t need party’s dead wood on his back to build party
TORONTO–Will Peter MacKay be the Conservative leader who will turf the Liberals from government? It’s a good question. Too many federal pundits have already quickly dismissed MacKay. Most answered this question by giving the thumbs down to the newly-elected leader. But I think the jury’s still out. Most of the smarty-pants pundits were caught off […]
