This really just in… time to improve Parliament’s committees
There has to be another way of conducting hearings at House standing committees. Having several rounds of a few minutes for each MP is just unproductive for everyone. The schedule for asking questions goes round and round and certainly lends itself to an image of a committee going in circles. This circular motion is particularly […]
CRTC terribly short of commissioners at crucial time
OTTAWA, ONT.–The CRTC is terribly short of commissioners just while there are several major questions it will be ruling on in the months ahead, so Heritage Minister Josée Verner will be busy selecting new recruits. A number of members appointed by the Liberals are coming to the end of their terms and for the most […]
Ontario election proved funding of religious schools too close to segregation end of continuum
When John Tory was head of Rogers Cable, a job he handled with great aplomb, he supported the growth of third-language television services. Known as the “ethnic services” in CRTC-speak, he grew the carriage of the popular Asian Television Network (Indian languages) and Fairchild TV (Cantonese) among others. He was also a strong supporter of […]
Mixing faith, religion and politics in a multicultural society is just plain toxic
OTTAWA–In Quebec and Ontario, debates are raging, as religion is becoming the lightening rod for differing views about our diverse society. Some will say the whole multicultural thing is coming apart at the seams, but really this is a cyclical event, whereby we find something to yell and scream about for a while and then […]
Following the premiers’ meeting, the federal government may be becoming less relevant
“We don’t need the federal government,” was the resounding theme of the meeting of the Council of the Federation held in Moncton earlier this month. At least that’s how they felt about two major issues: internal trade and climate change. After five years in existence, this council of premiers, the brainchild of Quebec Premier Jean […]
Hot potatoes for the summer: some advice to busy electioneering MPs
Summertime/And the livin’ is easy/Fish are jumpin’/And the cotton is high./Oh yo’/daddy’s rich/An’ yo’ ma is good lookin’/So hush, little baby/Don’t you cry. Summertime is an old Gershwin favourite, which has been sung by many crooners including Céline Dion, with many wonderful and wistful arrangements. For MPs though, summertime doesn’t get to be that laid […]
We need a highly-skilled Canadian workforce to compete on the world stage
One of the key factors limiting economic growth in Canada is the increasing skills shortages in an increasing number of sectors and regions of the country. Governments have been concerned about this, as are opposition parties, but it doesn’t make the news or Question Period since there’s little controversy. Simply put, we have a rapidly-growing […]
Strange bedfellows: politics and ethnicity
Politics and ethnicity can be uncomfortable bedfellows sometimes, especially if politicians or parties are seen to be trying to gain advantage where ethnicity is even a partial factor. Yet the political system must engage communities and it is only natural that parties will attempt to appeal to ethnic sensitivities from time to time. L’affaire Shane […]
Goal of strong Canadian media companies and hands-off approach to regulation the way of the future
The very complexity of the work of the CRTC seems to ensure that there’s rarely a clear direction to go in. For example, towards less regulation, or, greater Canadian ownership. Competition in telephony: In early April, Industry Minister Maxime Bernier announced the government’s final decision to end the regulation of local phone service faced by […]
Top 10 issues to influence ethnic and racial minorities, recent immigrants in next election
Statistics Canada announced last week that our population is growing at a high rate, due in most part to immigration. Most of this immigration is to the cities. Other surveys show that immigrants obtain Canadian citizenship in high numbers soon after their three-year residency. In other words they become voters pretty soon–about a million new […]
