United States of Armageddon
If American current events were a dystopian TV series we would all be saying this is over the top, no one can be this diabolically cruel and evil and dementedly…
parliamentary democracy
A Radical Idea to Return to Government by The People Rather Than by One Person
In the United States today perhaps we are seeing the epitome of government by one person, at least in countries that claim to be democracies. Here in Canada ever since…
A Radical Idea to Return to Government by The People Rather Than by One Person
In the United States today perhaps we are seeing the epitome of government by one person, at least in countries that claim to be democracies. Here in Canada ever since…
There will be only one by-election in Alberta before 2023, and it won’t be where it’s needed: Danielle Smith
Let us get this straight: Apparently will be only one by-election in Alberta before the next general election. Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA Michaela Frey (Photo: Facebook/.Michaela Frey). That election will take…
RAFE: ‘Responsible Government’ and how it blocks democracy – Pt.1
Rafe is revealing what some will be surprised to learn. Jaded blogger types and other seasoned politicos have understood the party control aspect for years but somehow it still flies…
Was there just a coup in Portugal? Why did Canada’s media ignore the story?
PHOTOS: The São Bento Palace, home of the Assembly of the Republic, in Lisbon. Was it just the site of a constitutional coup with implications for Canada? You’d never know…
Prentice term-limit idea is gimmicky and probably unconstitutional
TweetYou are Jim Prentice. You have the podium and the attention of Alberta’s media. You are the next Premier of Alberta. You can dream big. You could promise to replace…
Back To Earth
I had planned this to be my first piece post-holiday, but Nelson Mandela’s passing yesterday prompted my post about that giant who walked among us. I purposely kept it brief,…
Some Inspiration From Kevin Page
There is an excellent piece in this morning’s Star by outgoing Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page. In it, he talks about how his son’s death was the catalyst for his…
Budget 2013: Petty Politics in the PCs
The Conservatives, in a grand act of pettiness, have punted the Canadian Taxpayers Federation from the budget lockup on the 7th. It is likely in response to the organization holding…
Only in Britain?
Only in Britain, you say. Pity: I only ask because a few days ago the government released a transparently self-serving “response” to a request from its own MPs, showing that…
The Agonizing Challenge of Voting in 2015
“If voting changed anything, they’d make it illegal.” – Emma Goldman There’s been much talk of late about uniting the main opposition parties in some sort of delusional effort to…
Over 120 Lawyers Ask for Proposed Environmental Changes to be Removed from Bill C-38
You would think that such a significant resistance from the law community might have an effect on the Regime’s thinking, but don’t count on it. The goal is the full…
The Bill That Couldn’t Happen Here
Back when I worked for the House of Commons, every time an Omnibus Bill was proposed (and the usual discussions and negotiations around splitting it were occurring) we would joke…
C-38 Speaker’s ruling reaction
Key point on Scheer’s ruling and the ongoing discussion over C-38, the government’s monstrous omnibus bill that jams unrelated and consequential bills into the budget process: “It’s something that clearly…
Andrew Coyne On The Decline Of Parliament Under Harper
Despite his right-wing orientation, there has been unmistakable evidence in the work of Andrew Coyne this past year or so that conveys a clear disenchantment with the Harper regime. Using…
Repressive Tactics Smack of History
Of course the so-called budget bill, stuffed to the gills with non-budgetary items as such, has multiple political purposes, but one of them is clearly to limit dissenting voices within…
There’s open government & then there’s not so open government
So Tony Clement was on the Twitter this late afternoon, having his picture taken while at the keyboard, tweeting on the #opengovchat stream during a Treasury Board Secretariat sponsored chat…
In Camera government
Beyond all the excitement on the Hill today, there is an important development that Kady O’Malley has noted at the parliamentary committee level that is worth a look. Apparently Conservative…
Occupy: Why Voting Isn’t Enough
Overhead view of the Occupy Toronto encampment, St. James Park (from Torontoist) Al Gore's book, "The Assault on Reason" is one of the best treatises on American democracy I've ever…