What’s wrong with this picture? [political and public policy media coverage]
Some of the country’s top journalists and a few senior mandarins weigh in on the trouble with Canada’s national political and public policy coverage. It ain’t pretty. Canada’s political journalism is dutiful and responsible, not marked by hysteria and excess that characterize a lot of journalism elsewhere, but our country has nothing “remotely comparable with […]
Recent government appointments
Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada Irwin Cotler made appointments on Oct. 11 to the Advisory Committee that, as part of the new Supreme Court of Canada appointments process, will assess candidates to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice John C. Major, effective Dec. 25, 2005.The Advisory Committee includes a Member […]
Some journalists treat the Gomery Report like a game of tag
The public is sick of the Adscam, even if some journalists are oblivious to the shame. Did nothing profound come out of Adscam? Poets think deep thoughts, so I asked the Parliamentary Poet Laureate, Pauline Michel, if she planned to compose any verse about the sponsorship scandal. No, she replied. She was overwhelmed with requests, […]
LETTERS
Libs hurt Canada’s credibility Re: “The thin line that separates public policy and politics,” (The Hill Times, Oct. 10). I was disappointed to read the column by James Travers questioning the Liberal government’s motives for increased immigration and better trade relations with India. It seems that Paul Martin and his Cabinet never see a policy […]
The Legislative Week Ahead: Ethics Czar to appear before House Affairs Committee
Parliament will discuss two “take note” debates this week, one on the impact on Canada of the United States western hemisphere travel initiative to be held on Monday, Oct. 24, and another on softwood lumber on Oct. 25. The rest of the week, debate takes place on the following bills: *Third reading of Bill C-37, […]
How to reform the CRTC appeal process and then some
Furious lobbying is underway to have the decision overturned or upheld in the battle for Cabinet to uphold the regulator’s decision on Voice over Internet Protocol. It seems the appeals to Cabinet are getting more frantic as the stakes get higher. “The CRTC got it right on VoIP”screams the latest full page ad in the […]
Gomery, the movie to air on RDI [Gomery, le film]
The Sponsorship Scandal inquiry will be turned into a documentary for RDI watchers this week, just in time for the release of Justice John Gomery’s first report, due out on Nov. 1. The documentary, called Gomery, le film, will be a three-part series of one hour each and will be aired over three days on […]
WOMEN’S WATCH: Candidates Nominated For The Federal Election
Party Total Women Men Percentage of Women NDP 173 57 116 33% Libs 164 53 111 32% Bloc 24 7 17 29% Cons 278 34 244 12% Source: Equal Voice P
Le Devoir’s Buzzetti ‘loves’ pressing Cabinet ministers
Helene Buzzetti, Parliamentary reporter for Le Devoir, the Frenchlanguage newspaper published in Montreal and distributed in Quebec and across Canada, says she considers herself an idealist, is a strong believer in the democratic process and is non-partisan, which she believes are just some keys to success as a political reporter on the Hill. Originally from […]
Floor-crossers and flip-floppers
Not many MPs like to be called floorcrossers or flip-floppers. NDP MP Peter Stoffer, who has been trying, unsuccessfully, since 1999 to legislate against MPs who cross the floor, wants to force a floor-crosser to sit as an Independent until the next general election, or force the MP to resign his or her seat, run […]
