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By Greg Fingas, on March 13, 2013, at 12:29 pm Miscellaneous material for your mid-week reading.
- Tim Harper reminds us why Brad Wall is thoroughly off base in claiming that it’s the duty of every Canadian politician to demonstrate constant fealty to his resource-sector puppet-masters: The Conservatives, of course, would like the entire country to come together behind their view of resource extraction, but the nice thing about democracy is it accommodates dissonant voices.
Keystone faces credible and determined opposition in both countries.
There is a longstanding protocol in the U.S. that politicians do not criticize the government while abroad, but if that ever was the convention in
. . . → Read More: Accidental Deliberations: Wednesday Morning Links
By Song of the Watermelon, on March 2, 2013, at 4:09 am In Ottawa’s latest uptick of political drama, NDP leader Thomas Mulcair called on MP Claude Patry to resign his seat Thursday, after the latter joined the Bloc Quebecois. Noting that Patry, while still a New Democrat, voted with the rest of the caucus last year to ban the practice of floor crossing, Mulcair said, “We call upon him to have the courage of those convictions, to step down from his seat in Jonquiere-Alma, and run in a by-election if he thinks the people of his riding support him.”
In principle, I happen to agree with the NDP position (Read more…)
By Obert Madondo, on February 25, 2013, at 6:58 pm The Official Opposition leader’s private members’s bill seeks to reign in the belligerent Harper Conservatives. By Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive, Feb. 25, 2013: The CBC News is reporting that NDP leader Tom Mulcair will table a private member’s bill on Monday evening calling for the strengthening the mandate of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer. “The READ MORE
By David Climenhaga, on February 13, 2013, at 2:34 am These typical Albertans may be victims of Dutch Disease. Who would have thought just weeks ago they were wearing slim-cut jeans, ostrich-hide boots and nice Resistol hats like the people below? It’s pathetic, really! Below: Federal NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, sorry Tom; Alberta Premier Alison Redford. All images just found on the Internet.
Who would have thought Alberta, of all places, would end up suffering from Dutch Disease?
Surely it was just weeks ago we Albertans, always ornery and lightning quick to take offence, were excoriating the likes of federal Opposition Leader Tom Mulcair and then-Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty for
. . . → Read More: Alberta Diary: Sorry about what we said, Tom, but spare a sigh for Alberta, latest victim of Dutch Disease
By David Climenhaga, on February 12, 2013, at 2:16 am The captain of the the MV Zuiderdam tells Michael Coren, right, to fetch him a cup of Starbucks. Sun News Network tour group hosts may not appear exactly as illustrated. But you’ve got to admit it’s a pretty good likeness! Below: a sample of unethical oil.
Call me Ishmael!
Would you pay $8,679, or even $2,952, to be trapped for nine days aboard a boat, even a very large boat, with Ezra Levant, Michael Coren, Brian Lilley and a host of other sorry reruns from the Sun News Network commentariat, not to mention the communications vice-president of the Canadian Association
. . . → Read More: Alberta Diary: Ahoy there, matey! Talk about maritime disasters! Trapped on a CAPP-sized banana boat with Ezra Levant!
By Greg Fingas, on January 29, 2013, at 10:15 am In addition to its eminently sensible proposal to give effect to the rights of indigenous Canadians, the NDP also introduced another bill yesterday – and one which looks to raise a few more questions.
Lest there be any doubt, that question doesn’t have to do with whether Craig Scott’s bill setting ground rules for a future referendum is an improvement on current Canadian law. The “go ahead and hold the vote, then we’ll tell you whether it counted” philosophy underlying the Clarity Act has always been bizarre at best, and the framework set out by the NDP replaces that indecision-as-policy
. . . → Read More: Accidental Deliberations: On priorities
By calgarygrit, on January 29, 2013, at 9:49 am After dancing around the issue for several years, it appears the NDP finally has a clear position on the Clarity Act:
On Monday, the NDP introduced legislation to allow Quebec to secede with a simple majority of 50 per cent plus one. The party also wants to impose a tougher question in the event of a third referendum in the province, such as: “Should Quebec separate from Canada and become a sovereign country?”
The NDP bill aims to replace the 2000 Clarity Act, which was passed by the previous Liberal government after a tight referendum on Quebec sovereignty
. . . → Read More: Calgary Grit: 50% + 1
By Greg Fingas, on January 27, 2013, at 10:57 am This and that for your Sunday reading.
- James Galbraith compares the mindless drones carrying an increasing share of the U.S.’ military load, and those serving to try to attack social programs in the name of illusory deficit reduction. But sadly, Galbraith misses one of the most important similarities: in both cases, the use of replaceable machines for the task makes it far too easy to keep launching attacks even when reason would dictate otherwise.
- Meanwhile, Ivan Semeniuk reports on how poverty can influence childhood development. And Rob Carrick reports that lenders are finding ways to extract
. . . → Read More: Accidental Deliberations: Sunday Morning Links
By Greg Fingas, on January 24, 2013, at 8:46 am Thomas Walkom and the Mound of Sound both note that a leadership race has only signalled how far the federal Libs are from being a progressive party. But with Walkom and Paul Adams also questioning whether Canada’s political system has seen either a convergence in the middle or a drift to the right, let’s note that the Libs’ leadership convention may not be this spring’s most important source of answers on those points.
On the same weekend the Libs choose their new leader, the NDP will be holding its first convention since last year’s leadership vote which elected Tom Mulcair.
. . . → Read More: Accidental Deliberations: On policy choices
By David Climenhaga, on January 1, 2013, at 2:08 pm The Dagny Taggarts, a synchronized skating team from Ottawa get ready to do their popular routine, “Where Is John Galt?” Defence Minister Joan Crockatt is in the front row, second from right. Below: Senator Tom Flanagan; U of C economics student Kim Jong-un, in full Calgary drag; Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk, ecstatic for his boss; and Nobel Prize winner Raj Sherman with the author. Actual events may not turn out exactly as predicted.
Why wait for 2013’s headlines when you can read them here on Alberta Dairy right now? In a spirit of transparency bordering on clairvoyance, Alberta Diary
. . . → Read More: Alberta Diary: Why wait? Read 2013’s shocking political headlines right now on Alberta Diary!
By calgarygrit, on December 22, 2012, at 5:14 pm Every December, I like to name a “Person of the Year” – the individual who left their mark on Canadian politics over the past year. The only rules are that the PM is too obvious a choice, and that lame picks (“You!”) are strictly verboten. The Person of the Year doesn’t need to be someone who used the force for the powers of good, or someone I like – just someone who made a difference. Below is a list of recent choices:
2011: Jack Layton 2010: Rob Ford and Naheed Nenshi2009: Jim Flaherty2008: Stephane Dion2007:
. . . → Read More: Calgary Grit: 2012 Woman of the Year
By Greg Fingas, on December 22, 2012, at 12:47 pm Assorted content for your Saturday reading.
- Kate Heartfield worries that the NRA knows exactly what it’s doing with its jaw-dropping response to the Newtown shootings – and that it should be all too familiar based on the tactics of the Harper Cons: It’s ridiculous, but ridiculous works, time and time again. “Elite” no longer means rich and powerful. It means smart. It means anyone who takes the time to look at the evidence and construct a logical argument. Not to be trusted, that. So all academics and journalists are suspect. The only way a journalist can avoid being seen
. . . → Read More: Accidental Deliberations: Saturday Morning Links
By Obert Madondo, on December 20, 2012, at 12:05 pm by Obert Madondo: Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to tear down his stubborn wall of silence over hunger striker Chief Theresa Spence. First Nations leaders, the opposition, unions, the media, grassroots movements and individuals are urging Harper to meet with the Attawapiskat First Nation chief as her indefinite protest reaches the mid-point of its second week. READ MORE
By Greg Fingas, on December 18, 2012, at 6:07 pm This and that for your Tuesday reading.
- Tim Harper writes about Tom Mulcair’s success in building the NDP up as the leading alternative to the Cons for Canadian voters: Two-thirds of his questions since becoming leader have dealt with the economy as he attempts to build the case that his party can be trusted, for the first time, with the keys to the treasury in 2015 while chipping away at the Conservative brand as the stolid overseers of the public purse.
“They love being in power,” he says of the Conservatives, “(but) they hate governing. They don’t take the
. . . → Read More: Accidental Deliberations: Tuesday Afternoon Links
By Greg Fingas, on December 15, 2012, at 9:28 am Miscellaneous material for your weekend reading.
- Susan Delacourt writes that laughable conspiracy theories look to be the Cons’ stock in trade as they fight against any accountability for electoral fraud: (I)t may be true that Ford has left-wing opponents on council and that the Council of Canadians, which has launched the legal challenge on so-called robocalls, would prefer that Harper had not win the last election.
But these are not illegal views in this country — at least not yet. Demonization of your adversaries is a spin tactic, not a legal defence.
Besides, Hamilton knows that the concern over
. . . → Read More: Accidental Deliberations: Saturday Morning Links
By Beth, on December 13, 2012, at 9:31 pm Parliament is winding down, and it’s getting close to Christmas…do you know where your politicians are? Most likely they’re boarding a plane and heading back home to sip egg nog with their constituents. Which has me thinking, why should Conservative MPs enjoy such a festive holiday when we citizens are still reeling from another year with the Harper government? Policy was rammed through without debate. We watched our democracy erode as our leaders bent to the will of industry, removing crucial environmental protections. Scientists were muzzled and dissenters were labeled “radicals”.
My MP’s annual party is scheduled for December 20
. . . → Read More: Boreal Citizen: Occupy the MP Party / A Harper Year in Review
By Greg Fingas, on December 13, 2012, at 10:04 am Thanks in large part to an extremely active provincial leadership campaign, I haven’t discussed the evolution of the federal NDP over the past few months in as much detail as I’d like. But while there will be plenty more to talk about over the next little while, I’ll comment on a couple of the new stories emerging at the end of the fall sitting of Parliament.
Let’s start with this from Lawrence Martin: For New Democrats, it’s time for a national powwow. National leader Thomas Mulcair is planning to bring together all provincial NDP leaders for a party conference in
. . . → Read More: Accidental Deliberations: On needed advantages
By david, on December 13, 2012, at 1:36 am The ideal Canadian workforce, Harper Conservative style. Below: Social conservative B.C. MP Russ Hiebert.
Well, you can’t fight a call for transparency, so why bother? I say, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!
The so-called Conservative Party of Stephen Harper quietly whipped its troops in the privacy of their caucus rooms and managed to squeeze Bill C-377 – social-conservative B.C. MP Russ Hiebert’s amateurish and unconstitutional piece of anti-union mischief – through the House of Commons last night.
They’ll say that they didn’t whip it – that is to say, impose party discipline to enforce the vote
. . . → Read More: Alberta Diary: Bill C-377 can be just the start – let’s shine a light on some corners that are really in the dark!
By david, on December 7, 2012, at 2:17 am Prime Minister Jean Chrétien gets up close and personal with a protester. Below: NDP leader Thomas Mulcair, Tory chuck-a-bub Peter Van Loan, Liberal Fuddle-Duddler Pierre Trudeau, New Democrat Nathan Cullen, known for his gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.
Maybe I’ve just spent too much time hanging around the dojo, but I don’t think most Canadians would have been particularly troubled if Opposition Leader Thomas Mulcair had planted a well-placed social democratic boot on Conservative House Leader Peter Van Loan’s ample behind yesterday afternoon.
Alert readers will by now be aware that Mr. Van Loan waddled
. . . → Read More: Alberta Diary: Hockey-starved Canucks pray for brawl as Peter Van Loan channels Darrel Stinson
By CuriosityCat, on November 27, 2012, at 12:34 am As national polls and recent federal elections have shown time after time, our antiquated first past the post system of electing MPs results in a party with a minority of total votes cast being able to win a majority of seats in Parliament and act as i… . . . → Read More: CuriosityCat: Calgary Centre Byelection: Liberal leaders who cannot count give Stephen Harper a belated thanksgiving gift
By Greg Fingas, on November 20, 2012, at 6:17 pm Assorted content to end your day.- Frances Russell nicely sums up the effect of the Cons’ bevy of anti-democratic trade deals:Don’t be fooled. The innocuous language used to describe the avalanche of so-called “trade” agreements raining down on … . . . → Read More: Accidental Deliberations: Tuesday Afternoon Links
By david, on November 15, 2012, at 1:25 am Zap! You’re frozen! … In the dark! The Harper Tories’ latest TV advertising attack on NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair. Perfesser Dave, below, explains why Prime Minister Stephen Harper will do the same thing he’s accusing Mr. Mulcair of planning if he manages to get re-elected. Below Perfesser Dave: Robert Stanfield, the underwear guy, Allan Fotheringham … . . . → Read More: Alberta Diary: Perfesser Dave explains negative TV advertising and the job-killing Tory carbon tax
By daveberta, on November 13, 2012, at 10:58 pm TweetA new survey conducted by Forum Research shows a three-way race in the Calgary-Centre by-election between Conservative Joan Crockatt, Liberal Harvey Locke, and Green Chris Turner. As reported by the Globe & Mail, the November survey of 376 ran… . . . → Read More: daveberta.ca – Alberta politics: IT’S A RACE! New poll shows emerging three-way race in Calgary-Centre by-election.
By Greg Fingas, on November 13, 2012, at 8:18 am This and that for your Tuesday reading.- Lawrence Martin’s take on Robocon doesn’t offer much by way of new information, but nicely sums up exactly what deliberate vote suppression and electoral fraud should mean for a governing party:At issue here is … . . . → Read More: Accidental Deliberations: Tuesday Morning Links
By calgarygrit, on November 7, 2012, at 10:58 pm In the midst of a largely status-quo election, several groundbreaking ballot initiatives passed last night. Puerto Rico voted to apply for statehood. Same sex marriage was legalized in Maine and Maryland, and was upheld in Washington State, snapping a 32 vote losing streak for equal marriage proponents. And both Washington State and Colorado voted for complete marijuana legalization and regulation. The implications of this in Canada could be far reaching, and I’m not just talking about a spike in “road … → . . . → Read More: Calgary Grit: Another Argument Against Legalizing Pot Goes Up In Smoke
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Alberta Diary: Why wait? Read 2013’s shocking political headlines right now on Alberta Diary!
The Dagny Taggarts, a synchronized skating team from Ottawa get ready to do their popular routine, “Where Is John Galt?” Defence Minister Joan Crockatt is in the front row, second from right. Below: Senator Tom Flanagan; U of C economics student Kim Jong-un, in full Calgary drag; Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk, ecstatic for his boss; and Nobel Prize winner Raj Sherman with the author. Actual events may not turn out exactly as predicted.
Why wait for 2013’s headlines when you can read them here on Alberta Dairy right now? In a spirit of transparency bordering on clairvoyance, Alberta Diary
. . . → Read More: Alberta Diary: Why wait? Read 2013’s shocking political headlines right now on Alberta Diary!