Byelections in two Quebec ridings on Monday, June 16
Stephen Harper to host barbeque at Stornoway this week MONDAY, June 16 The House — The House is adjourned until Monday, Sept 15 at 11 a.m. Byelections in Quebec–Byelections in the two vacant Quebec ridings Temiscamingue, Que., and Levis-et-Chutes-de-la- Chaudiere, Que., will take place on Monday, June 16. To contact the returning officer in Temiscamingue, […]
Apologies to Omar Khayyam
Our political leaders provide endless fodder for cynics and satirical comedians. Take the PM’s latest legacy, a $100- million Canada History Museum Centre earmarked for the old railway station and Government Conference Centre. This political history museum will be run by the competent but hobbled staff of the National Archives and National Library of Canada. […]
MacKay shakes things up at PC Leader’s Office and HQ: Rick Morgan succeeds Graham Fox as Tory leader’s chief of staff
Peter MacKay is getting it rough these days. Pilloried by the media, political pundits and members of his own party for making a controversial deal with Saskatchewan farmer David Orchard to seal his victory of the Tory leadership, the newly-minted leader of the Progressive Conservative Party is quietly shaking things up in the Tory Leader’s […]
Gun registry beyond redemption
It seems to me that the federal firearms registry is a modern day equivalent to the emperor’s new clothes. Not only will it fail to protect us from the elements (in this case criminal ones), but is also downright foolish in appearance, practicality, and cost. Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba were the first ones laughing at […]
“How will CanWest News’ recent layoffs of veteran Hill reporters, such as Susan Delacourt and Joan Bryden, impact federal political coverage?”
Warren Kinsella Liberal strategist “Off the top, I’ll declare a conflict: Bryden and Delacourt are both friends, so I oppose any move to keep them from doing what they do best — which is political journalism. That kind of journalistic experience and excellence is impossible to easily recapture, so — yes — I wonder what […]
Tories walk the walk
Of course Canadian Alliance Leader Stephen Harper is “shocked” and “troubled” by Peter MacKay’s win. In his victory, MacKay reconfirmed there will be no merger or agreement to protect Alliance candidates in some regions of the country. Since the PC Party voted a year ago to reconfirm its commitment to the 301 rule, the Alliance […]
Let the sun shine in
The House passed Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s highly controversial Campaigns and Elections Finance Bill in a vote of 172-62 last Wednesday evening. The bill is expected to be passed by the Senate in July. The bill is a positive step in the right direction for more accountability and transparency. It also puts elections financing into […]
Western Canadian Tories feel burned by Maritime Tories
Maritimes Tories have pretty well burned their bridges to western Canada. Whatever they say, the answer is basically “go away,” “get lost” or “drop dead.” There’s nothing left to say to them. It’s truly over. John Stark Richmond, B.C. Maritimes Tories have pretty well burned their bridges to western Canada. Whatever they say, the answer […]
I went to a garden party: PM entertains Hill media at 24 Sussex
Prime Minister Jean Chretien and his wife, Aline, entertained the Parliamentary Press Gallery at 24 Sussex Drive last Thursday at what is likely to have been their last annual garden party for the press. The Chretiens held the event in a big tent on the back lawn discreetly surrounded by about a dozen plainclothes Mounties, […]
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 […]
