THE FIFTH COLUMN: How Did We Get Here

Let me tell you a story about my early days working for the House of Commons in a non-partisan position serving all Members of Parliament and all Canadians. While we all had our own political opinions, that ranged from right to left, we all worked professionally and in a non-

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Alberta Politics: Very fine people on both sides? Jason Kenney defends convoy participants; says NDP welcomes ‘eco-terrorists’ to protests

Yesterday, the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Commons warned Members of Parliament that individuals associated with the anti-vaccine-mandate truck convoy nearing the nation’s capital have been trying to suss out the location of their Ottawa residences. House of Commons Sergeant-at-Arms Patrick McDonell (Photo: Creator not identified). Also yesterday, Jason Kenney

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Alberta Politics: Jason Kenney shut down the Legislature, but debate on Alberta’s dismal COVID-19 record migrates to House of Commons

Not only is the Kenney Government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic a spectacular failure, its strategy for suppressing public awareness of just how bad things have become in Alberta dramatically unravelled yesterday. Having used the wildfire spread of COVID-19 in Alberta as an excuse to unilaterally shut down debate in

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THE FIFTH COLUMN: Does Canada Need a Head of State

        From Twitter        Adrian Harewood        @CBCAdrianH        23 Jan        Why in 2021 is a Canadian Prime Minister, the leader of a #G7 nation, still reporting to a #Queen who                doesn’t live in his country and has never lived in his country? #JuliePayette #JustinTrudeau

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Democracy Under Fire: Virtual Idiot?

Unless an agreement is reached before Monday, the House of Commons will resume business as usual with all 338 MPs along with their staff, clerks, interpreters, security and cleaners, returning to work in Ottawa. The Liberals are also proposing one additional session be held each week with another lengthy question period, but this one would be

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Democracy Under Fire: An Undemocratic Democracy?

Pollister Nick Nanos opines in the G&M that perhaps Canada is a ‘joyless democracy’ and points to the fundamental disconnect between the economic numbers hurled at Canadians and the anxiety we feel about the future. He continues by wondering if there is a fundamental disconnect between democratic sentiment and parliamentary

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Democracy Under Fire: No One Is Listening

Below a few extracts from the 128 page report by the measuring democracy people at Samaraa non-partisan charitable champion of increased civic engagement. In spring 2017, Samara Canada surveyed Members of the 42ndParliament to explore the state of heckling and decorum from the perspective of those in the House. The survey

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Alberta Politics: Canada’s Conservative Party, a once-great national organization, is being overwhelmed by its own extremists

PHOTOS: Federal Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi, a hard-working and talented former Edmonton Transit bus driver. Below: Alberta Infrastructure Minister Brian Mason, a hard-working and talented former Edmonton Transit bus driver. Mr. Sohi, a Liberal, and Mr. Mason, a New Democrat, are both used to cheap conservative shots about their former

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