‘Whose butt do you have to kiss at Earnscliffe?’
An edited excerpt of Prime Minister Paul Martin’s speech on Oct. 22 at the Press Gallery Dinner: “Ireally do miss [Broadcast News’] Dan Dugas. I’ve got to say that I think Anthony [Germain’s] not doing a bad job. He’s sort of a cross between Chris Rock and Doogie Howser. Now, look, Anthony, you wanted to […]
The Spin Doctors: “A recent Leger Marketing survey found that more Canadian voters were more likely to reject a politician with an alcohol problem than one who had smoked a joint. What’s your take?”
Leslie Swartman Liberal Strategist “Considering we’ve had party leaders parading about in leather cowboy vests, shower caps and wet-suits, Canadians have the right to wonder what on earth these guys were smoking!! “Seriously though, the comparison between ‘an alcohol problem’ and having ‘smoked a joint’ is not fair. Let’s compare apples to apples. I would […]
Canadians tend to look to Ottawa in times of crisis and at such times, voters also usually prefer activist governments
From one incident to the next, the Martin team has become more adept at tailoring its response to the national mood, not necessarily to the most pressing needs in the afflicted areas. To Paul Martin and Stephen Harper, a crisis is a leadership vote at their party conventions or a confidence motion in the Commons. […]
Labour force training: the federal government has to respect the jurisdiction of Quebec and the other provinces
Education and the vocational skills of workers are fundamental labour market issues in a knowledge-based society like ours. We have to use our full array of tools – from literacy to continuous training in the workplace – to ensure that our labour force remains internationally competitive.That said, it is vital that in Quebec and in […]
Libs have known about contaminated water reserves since 2001: Sen. Grafstein
Some Liberals say their own government has known about unsafe drinking water on native reserves in Canada since for at least four years. Reacting to what some are calling a “national tragedy,”the federal government announced last week it would build a new community for residents of Kashechewan in northern Ontario, but some Liberals say their […]
Federal government dragging its feet on bird flu: critics: Medical association calls for emergency communications system, more flexible regulations for doctors
The federal government should create a real-time communications network so physicians nationwide can share updates in case a bird flu pandemic strikes the country, says the president of the Canadian Medical Association. “There’s no communication method with front-line doctors and that’s a huge thing for us because you have to have a real-time rapid communication […]
Grits fast-tracked nomination of Mint chairman: Conservatives: Applications sent to Privy Council Office ‘were just trashed,’ says Conservative MP Gary Lunn
The Liberal government fast-tracked the nomination of Max C. Lewis as the new chairperson of the Royal Canadian Mint, the opposition Conservatives said this week. “The Privy Council Office apparently received five or six applications. They were just trashed,” said Gary Lunn (Saanich-Gulf Islands, BC). “The nomination committee never even received those. All they got […]
Today it’s more important than ever that we get labour policy right, says federal Labour Minister Fontana
Today it is more important than ever that we get labour policy right. In the 21st century, how we treat our workforce will not only reflect our values as Canadians, it will also be key to ensuring our future prosperity. We live in a knowledge-driven international economy where prosperity depends upon our ability to put […]
MacKay parties hard and then runs 10k
600 thumbs up… Okay so I didn’t talk to all 600 guests at the annual Parliamentary Press Gallery Dinner, but I have yet to hear anything but praise about the Oct. 22 event, from the top quality of the speeches to the choice of venue – the Grand Hall of the Museum of Civilization. The […]
Copps, the pundit, is back in national political action on the Hill
Former deputy prime minister Sheila Copps is now writing a column for Quebecor and Sun Media newspapers and her Sunday Sun column is a must-read. Sheila Copps is back in action in national politics.This time as a newspaper columnist. The scrappy former Rat Packer, Jean Chretien Cabinet minister and deputy prime minister says she has […]
