Canada must improve its OECD ranking on a broad range of environmental indicators, says Grit backbencher
Canada is often touted as an economic leader among OECD countries. Northern tiger is one term that has been used to characterize Canada and its economy. Given Canada’s recent strong economic performance, especially in comparison to previous decades, this may be a fair description.The list of Canada’s economic achievements includes a steep reduction in debt, […]
The Spin Doctors: “Should an MP who crosses the floor be forced to resign his or her seat and run in a byelection, or sit as an Independent MP until the next general election?”
Leslie Swartman Liberal Strategist “Or the third choice – sit as a member of the new party and face the electorate at the time of the next general election. “It’s simply got to be a personal choice. Many things can happen that can cause someone to lose faith in their leader or their party. And […]
PARLIAMENTARY CALENDAR: U.S. Secretary of State Rice in Ottawa Oct. 24
MONDAY, OCT. 24 U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits Canada – Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice from Oct. 24-25 in Ottawa to discuss a wide range of bilateral, hemispheric and global issues in which Canada and the U.S. share common interests. Ms. Rice will also […]
Martin’s Liberals, like Chretien’s Liberals, chronically suffer from EES: Excessive Entitlement Syndrome
How lucky is Paul Martin? Lucky enough to escape blame for the Quebec sponsorship scandal – but not lucky enough to safely distance himself from a Liberal brand reeking of polluted ethics. How lucky is Paul Martin? Lucky enough to escape blame for the Quebec sponsorship scandal – but not lucky enough to safely distance […]
Book Launch of Busboy: From Kitchen to Cabinet
If you’ve never heard seasoned Liberal MP Don Boudria’s busbuy story, then you’ve been living in a dark cave for a very long time. The former government House leader who has penned his autobiography entitled Busboy: From Kitchen to Cabinet will launch his book on Monday Oct. 31 at 3:30 p.m. in the Reading Room, […]
Dingwall is entitled to one week per year: PCO guidelines
Opposition parties say former Royal Canadian Mint president is entitled to a severance of one week per year, according to PCO guidelines. David Dingwall, who resigned a little less than three years early into a five-year posting as president of the Royal Canadian Mint last month because he said he was “somewhat compelled” to over […]
Framing Canada, Part I: Martin speech a compelling one, so why isn’t it satisfying?
From a public policy viewpoint, Martin’s speech was thoughtful and far-reaching. But it was not a satisfying speech. When the dust settles, we’re left wanting more. So what makes a big policy speech satisfying and memorable? Prime Minister Paul Martin must be exasperated. Over the last 18 months, he has endured repeated attacks for lacking […]
‘Everything on the Hill is being spun, nothing is said that’s not deliberate,’ says new Parliament Hill Global TV scribe
Global TV’s Hill reporter Ben O’Hara- Byrne, who started reporting on federal politics six months ago, says when he files his stories he tries to demonstrate how federal laws or political issues will affect the everyday lives of Canadians in order to keep people interested in the world of federal politics and he sees this […]
Message to Conservatives: stop focusing on election talk and focus on issues that really matter to Canadians
Jay Hill ignores the fact that this government and this Prime Minister have already faced more than 40 confidence votes in the House of Commons. There will be more to come, on such important issues as the energy price relief bill. In recent days, I took the unusual step of providing opposition House leaders with […]
A look at MPs’ salaries and travel expenses for 2004-2005
Member of the Sessional Travel House of Commons allowances($) expenses($) Abbott J 141,000 140,584 Ablonczy D 141,000 105,091 Adams Hon WP 141,000 36,629 Allowance as Committee Chairperson 1,439 Alcock Hon R 141,000 77,236 Allard CM 34,075 9,909 Allowance as Committee Vice- chairperson 7,244 Allison D 106,925 49,551 Ambrose R 106,925 92,543 Anders R 141,000 94,928 […]
