Dan Cook: April 2006
DAN COOK,
Globe and Mail Update
Sunday bits
ּ Forty-seven years ago today, Stephen Joseph Harper was born in Toronto. Ironically, Canadian tax returns are also due today.
ּ With Grits grousing over the flag flap, might the Liberals explain their contradictory stance: The peace tower flag was flown at full-staff on November 24, 2005, the date Private Scott Braun Woodfield was killed in Afghanistan. [Canadian Heritage]
ּ According to an Ipsos-Reid poll: "Majority (66%) feel media ban from return of killed soldiers is really a government muzzle and should be left up to families to decide"
ּ Two thumbs up: President Bush and look-alike Steve Bridges yuk it up at the White House Press Dinner. [Video] [News]
Updated Sunday, April 30 at 11:36 p.m.
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Saturday blog stroll
ּ Gerry Nicholls, V-P of the National Citizens Coalition was bemused by an ad aboard the GTA's GO Train: "Stephen Harper Eats Babies." Nichols is inquiring with GO Transit as to how the ad came to light, but in the interim, perhaps the unknown source was inspired by Gilles Duceppe's oft used line from the 2004 election: "We're not eating babies for breakfast."
Mind you, the agitator could be borrowing a line from the provincial Tories playbook: in 2003 the Conservatives issued a press release that stated Dalton McGuinty is "an evil reptilian kitten-eater from another planet." [Via]
ּ Neil Young reacting to right-wing blogs attacking his new protest song: "If you impeach Bush, you're doing a huge favor for the Republicans. They can run again with some pride."
To hear "Living With War," Young's latest album in it's entirety, free streaming is available at neilyoung.com. To host the album on your blog, look no further.
ּ Blue Blogging Soapbox rates the Liberal leadership websites from both a technical and design perspective. Bob 'Call Me Bob' Rae ranks first; Martha Hall Findlay scores a disastrous 0/10 due to a credit-card donation page which transmits your supposed confidential credit card information via e-mail.
ּ Announcements Warren Kinsella and Co. have launched Daisy Consulting Group.
South of the 49th parallel, Michelle Malkin's latest is Hot Air, a "conservative Internet broadcast network."
Updated Saturday, April 29 at 11:06 p.m.
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Only in Canada
As noted last week, Independent MP Andre Arthur was fined $220,000 for racist comments he made on-air as a radio talk-show host. Notables include his failure to understand Montreal based Creole and Arabic taxi drivers as he doesn't speak "nigger."
Wednesday, the rookie MP was named to a House of Commons committee that oversees the CRTC, the same organization he's been battling for over 10 years.
When asked about his fractious relationship with Canada's telecommunications regulator, Arthur had this to say: "Ask a fire hydrant if it likes dogs."
Updated Friday, April 28 at 5:15 p.m.
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Friday news
[Tories Defend Softwood Pact] [Conservative Government Wins] Softwood Truce [Analysis] [Ontario-B.C. Alliance] Influenced Outcome [B.C. Reaction] [Jeffrey Simpson]
[Commissioner] Slams Harper For About Face On Info Access Reform
[Ken Dryden] Hits The Ice In Leadership Bid [Video] [Roy MacGregor]
[Harper's Staff] Behind Media Ban, Sources Say
[Minister Cancels Talk] On Native Government: Request Made To Bar Media, Students Say
[Tories Open To Foreign] Airwaves: Radio, TV Ownership
[Chrétien's Drug Program] Ineffective, Clement Says
[N.B. Premier's] Press Secretary Resigns Over Letter Leak
[N.S. Tories] Pondering Mid-June Election
[Premier Doer] Nixes Cash Grab: Says Photo Radar About Safety, Not 'Gotcha'
[Minister Baird] Denies Cuts To Fed Staff: Says Rumours Grit 'Fear-Mongering'
[Ignatieff] Brings Centre-Left Message To Quebec Liberals
[Klein Slip Shows] Allegiance: Oilers v. Flames
[Bush Set To Approve] Takeover Of 9 Military Plants By Dubai
[Spanish Version] Of 'Star-Spangled Banner'? 'Nuestro Himno' Set To Hit Airwaves Friday
[Bush Says Anthem] Should Be Sung In English
[White House Scribe] Asks For The Remote: Reporter Asks To Watch CNN Instead Of Fox On Air Force One
Updated Friday, April 28 at 1:00 p.m.
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Round Up
ּ Fox's Roger Friedman on Neil Young's latest album: "Certainly "Living with War" contains the most pungent attacks on a U.S. president in pop-rock since The Ramones recorded "Bonzo Goes to Bitburg" in the late 1980s." [Review]
ּ Proving the egosphere knows no bounds, Garth Turner plugs garth.ca during Thursday's Question Period.
ּ Finance Minister Flaherty's nickname for MPs opposed to a reduction of the GST: "Save the GST club."
ּ Commenting on softwood, CBC's Terry Milewski nails it: "But the real losers today are the trade lawyers who've been growing rich litigating this issue to death for going on twenty-years." [Video]
ּ With Parliament Hill as his backdrop and approximately 10 MPs in toe — Gerard Kennedy launched his bid for the Liberal leadership. Considering all the buzz surrounding the Liberal party's savior, Kennedy failed to live up to initial expectations; his content and delivery were boringly flat. [Video]
Updated Friday, April 28 at 09:23 a.m.
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Editing with MP Garth Turner
Monday
Wednesday
Monday
Wednesday
[Turner's Budget Predictions]
Updated Friday, April 28 at 09:23 a.m.
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Thursday morning news
[Furious Provinces] Aim To Sink Softwood Deal [Editorial] [John Ibbitson]
[Tories Offer Plan] For Fixed Election Dates
[PM To Extend Lobbyist Ban] After Advisor Takes New Job: Tory Insider Who Helped During Changeover To Work For Broadcasters
[Furor] Over Fallen Soldiers A Major Misstep For Government, Conservatives Say
[Top Court] Rejects Conservative Merger Challenge
['Most Appropriate' To] Keep Events Private, Defence Minister Says [Christie Blatchford]
[Op-Ed: Ed Broadbent] Mr. Rae And The Grits Deserve Each Other
[Gerard Kennedy] To Veer To The Centre [The Contenders]
[80,000] Native Canadians to Be Compensated for School Abuse
[From Terror To Rideau Hall] Documentary-Maker And Governor-General's Consort Jean-Daniel Lafond Looks At The Story Of A Shadowy Figure In The Iran Hostage Drama [Tory Reaction]
[Minister Rejects] Idea Rich To Benefit More From Child-Care Plan
[Senate Report] Urges Dismantling of FEMA
[Cyberbudget] Tax Too High? Then Set Your Own Budget, Says French Finance Boss
[English Language] Hits 1-Billion Words
Updated Thursday, April 27 at 10:30 a.m.
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Updated Thursday, April 27 at 10:30 a.m.
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In quotes
Tony Snow's past columns on President Bush: "The newly passive George Bush has become something of an embarrassment." And: "No president has looked this impotent this long…" Bush responds: "I asked him about those comments, and he said, `You should have heard what I said about the other guy.' "
Conservative MP Garth Turner on his final column: "To the papers who dropped me like a virus after becoming an MP, well, up yours."
Updated Thursday, April 27 at 10:30 a.m.
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Odds & Ends
ּ Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan leaked a confidential four-page letter from federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty to the Toronto Star, advising the province they could expect a windfall of monies in next week's budget. No word on Duncan's logic for potentially falling out of favour with the Tory Government.
ּ Following in the footsteps of Lang Michener's John Reynolds, Derek Burney has also joined a law firm, Ogilvy Renault, as a Senior Strategic Adviser. Burney, who headed up Prime Minister Harper's transition team, doesn't hold a law degree.
ּ Reg Alcock has drawn the ire of both the Conservatives and NDP. On election day, Alcock approved $40,000 of Jean Pelletier's legal expenses, so, Pelletier, the former Chair of Via-Rail could challenge the findings of the Gomery report in Federal Court. Taxpayers are also on the hook for government lawyers, who are challenging Pelletier's claims.
ּ CTV's Roger Smith contacted the office of the Governor General's to inquire why Michaelle Jean wasn't present at Tuesday's repatriation ceremonies: "I was told that these decisions are made in consultation with the government, and it's our understanding that the government felt it was better if she did not attend."
Updated Wednesday, April 26 at 8:21 p.m.
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Survey says: Majority territory
[Decima]
Conservatives 41% (Jan. 23: 36%)
Liberals 26% (Jan. 23: 30%)
NDP 19% (Jan. 23: 18%)
[Would You Vote For The NDGrits?]
Updated Wednesday, April 26 at 8:21 p.m.
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Wednesday morning news
[Child-Care Proposal] Gives Least To Poorest
[PM Feels Heat] Over Policy For Fallen [Editorial] [Washington Post] [New York Times] [AP]
[Serving Soldiers] Say Arrival Of Bodies Should Be Private [CP]
[Ottawa Considers] Joining Rival To Kyoto Protocol
[Foreign Aid] To Get A $320-Million Boost: Cash Set Aside Using Mechanism Decried By Tories While In Opposition Last Year
[Mayor Loses Speaking Role] On Caledonia: Remarks About Six Nations Protesters Sideline Trainer, Prompt Council Apology
[Liberals Gird] For Budget Battle: 'Unholy War' Looms Over Taxes, MP Says
[Final Deal] Made On Native-School Abuse Claims
[B.C. Government] Footed Bill For Causeway Blamed In Mass Salmon Kill
[N.S. Government Clerk Jailed] For $360,000 Ripoff
[City Turns To GPS] To Keep An Eye On Unionized Workers With A Bad Reputation
[Canada Will Never Ignore] Genocide, PM Pledges [Video]
[Minister Cautions] On Softwood Deal
[Fox Analyst] Named Bush Press Secretary [Text] [Video] [Profile]
[Ayatollah Ali Khamenei] "The Americans should know that if they invade Iran, their interests around the world would be harmed. Iran will respond double-fold to any attack."
[Israeli Satellite] Launched To Spy On Iranian Nuclear Facilities
Updated Wednesday, April 26 at 10:51 a.m.
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Updated Wednesday, April 26 at 10:51 a.m.
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Liberal leadership list
Latest standings:
Confirmed
Carolyn Bennett
Maurizio Bevilacqua
Scott Brison
Stephane Dion
Martha Hall Findlay
Michael Ignatieff
Bob 'Call Me Bob' Rae
Joe Volpe
Publicity
Clifford Blais
The Fiddler
Expected to declare this week
Ken Dryden
Gerard Kennedy
Unconfirmed
Denis Coderre
Ruby Dhalla
Hedy Fry
John McCallum
David McGuinty
Dan McTeague
David Orchard
Paul Zed
Updated Tuesday, April 25 at 8:11 p.m.
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Numbers
01/23 Election day and also the same date Treasury Board President Reg Alcock reportedly sent a letter approving up to $40,000 in legal fees for Jean Pelletier's fight against the Gomery report in Federal Court.
$100,000 Monday, Liberal MP Mark Holland stated: "His (Gwyn Morgan's) best qualification for the job is a $100,000 donation in December 2003 when the Conservative-Alliance swallowed the Progressive Conservatives, and he keeps on giving." The donation was actually made by Encana Corpoartion, which also donated $103,473.60 to the Liberal party of Canada.
12 The number of times the Liberals used 'flip-flop' in Monday's Question Period.
32% President Bush's approval ratings hit an all time low. [Results]
Updated Tuesday, April 25 at 2:04 p.m.
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In quotes
Question What do you think of the government's decision to ban the media from today's repatriation of four soldiers?
Retired Major-General Lewis MacKenzie: "I don't like it. There is an old rule in the military — never give an order you can't enforce. The media will be there filming from outside the gate the arrival/departure of families, VIPs etc. and the ban will become the lead story — what a shame!"
Updated Tuesday, April 25 at 2:04 p.m.
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Tuesday morning news
[Softwood Lumber] Deal Appears Close
[Ottawa Fails Fallen Soldiers,] Critics Say [Editorial]
[Lewis MacKenzie] "…Ottawa's concurrent announcement that flags would no longer be lowered on the Peace Tower and across the country each time a soldier is killed was the victim of really bad timing. Nevertheless, it was the right decision." [Live Discussion: 11 a.m. EDT]
[65%] Poll Respondents Give Blessing To Harper's 'God Bless Canada'
[Rae Joins Liberal Race,] Dryden To Follow [Jeffrey Simpson]
[Carolyn Bennett] Aims For Small-L Liberals
[PM Accused] Of $500-A-Plate 'Hypocrisy': Harper To Attend Pricey Political Dinners While Pressing For Ban On Corporate Giving
[Government To Tap] Surplus For $3.3-Billion: Bulk Of Money To Go To The Provinces Under Deal Tories Fought In Opposition
[Government] 'Dropped The Ball' On Caledonia Dispute: Developers
[Liberal Party Insiders] May Be Out Of Favour
[Ex-Alberta Official] Faked Law Degree
[Welfare Raises] Mean Cuts Elsewhere, Premier Campbell Warns [PDF: Poll Results]
[New Democrats] Unmoved By CAW Decision To End Traditional Support Of NDP
[President Bush,] Under Pressure On Gas Prices, Orders Investigation Into Possible Cheating In Markets
[Iran Threatens] To Hide Nuclear Program
[CNN] Sources: Tony Snow Likely To Take White House Post
Updated Tuesday, April 25 at 10:18 a.m.
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Updated Tuesday, April 25 at 10:18 a.m.
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Round Up
Finance minister Jim Flaherty will present the federal budget Tuesday, May 2. Will the government honour its gas tax promise dated September 20, 2005?
Peace Tower Flag As noted earlier Monday, the Conservative government is reverting to a decades old tradition: the peace tower flag will only be lowered to half-staff on Remembrance Day to honour slain soldiers.
The Liberals are none too happy, and come Tuesday they will introduce a motion into the House of Commons which could force the government to lower the peace tower flag for soldiers killed in the line of duty.
It's worth noting, in October 2004, Conservative MP James Moore introduced a motion in the House of Commons to lower flags on all federal buildings to honour Lieutenant Chris Saunders, who was killed aboard HMCS Chicoutimi. The Conservative party unanimously supported Moore's motion, which subsequently passed.
Meanwhile, a media blackout is in place at CFB Trentron Tuesday for the repatriation of Cpl. Matthew Dinning, Cpl. Randy Payne, Bombardier Myles Mansell and Lieut. William Turner. Government officials have confirmed the ban is permanent. [Toronto Mayor David Miller] [Alberta Premier Ralph Klein]
260,000 Members The Canadian Auto Workers have approved a resolution encouraging members to "withdraw all support and affiliations to the NDP federally, provincially and in the territories." [Press Release]
Israel's defence minister on Iran: "Since Hitler we have not faced such a threat."
Despite the ruling of two courts, Silvio Berlusconi intends to turn up for work Friday as Italy's Prime Minister.
Mary McCarthy File What the New York Times and the Washington Post forgot to mention: McCarthy donated $7500 to Democrats last year.
Know Your Crowd An employee of the 'Sports Club/LA' found himself in an awkward spot after participants in his spin class complained when he mimicked President Bush during a recent workout. Bush's daughters, Jenna and Barbara were participating in the class.
Number Eight Former NDP MP and Ontario Premier Bob Rae launched his bid earlier Monday for the Liberal leadership.
Number Nine Ken Dryden launches his bid Friday at 9:30 a.m. EST.
Scott McClellan's 'Top 9 Ways of Not Saying Anything' including 'doesn't know' (574 times), 'cannot comment on an ongoing investigation' (210 times) and 'ask someone else' (50 times).
Updated Monday, April 24 at 11:20 p.m.
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Monday morning news
[Canada Mourns] More War Dead [Roy MacGregor]
[The Flag Debate] Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor Last Night Defended The Governments Decision Not To Lower Flags To Half-Mast At Federal Buildings
[Pass Three Priorities,] Win A Majority: Tories And Libs Say If Prime Minister Harper Gets Three Of His Five Priorities Through Parliament He Could Win A Majority
[RCMP Probe Grewal's] Fundraising: Investigation Into Former MP's Handling Of Political Donations
[Finance Department] At Odds With Government Over GST Cut: Officials Prefer Lower Income Taxes
[Farmers Take Protest] To 24 Sussex [Video]
[Scott Brison] Throws His Hat Into Liberal Ring
[Carolyn Bennett] Joins Liberal Leadership Race
[Op-Ed: Bob Rae] Coming Out Of The Liberal Closet
[Grit Leadership] Picks Successive Balloting For Convention
[Fisheries Officials] Still Flying High At Taxpayer Expense, Audit Suggests: Business-Class Tickets, Spousal Travel
[RCMP] Hampered By Deal With Indian Affairs, Chief Says
[Paul Martin] Set To Visit N.S. Native Schools: Former PM Plans To Make Aboriginal Issues A Personal Cause In House, Spokesman Says
[Ontarians] Support Military Role In Afghanistan
[Jim Harris] To Give Up On Green Leadership
[Six Nations] Land Talks Buoy Ontario Minister: 'Goodwill' Created, Province Says, In Bid To Defuse Dispute
[Ontario Government] Evacuates Kashechewan Reserve
[Speaker] Of Nunavut's Legislative Assembly Dies
[Preston Manning] Spots New News Trend: "Does the country really need 370 journalists to cover 308 MPs?"
[Lysiane Gagnon] Un Cadeau Pour Monsieur Harper
[Guyana] Asks Canada's Help To Investigate Slayings: Agriculture Minister And Two Siblings, All Canadians, Gunned Down Near Capital
[Bin Laden] U.S. And Europe Are At War With Islam
[Rift Between Hamas,] Fatah Widens
[Iran] President: Israel Is A Fake Regime
Updated Monday, April 24 at 10:20 a.m.
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Odds & Ends
Former Foe Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has nominated Ernie Eves to chair the Investment and Trade Council. McGuinty's Liberals defeated Eves' Conservatives in the 2003 election.
Parliamentary Secretary Shuffle Conservative MP James Moore has the added responsibility of Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics to his existing duties of Public Works and Government Services. Moore now works for two of the Harper government's most unpopular cabinet picks: David Emerson and Michael Fortier. Meanwhile, fellow Tory Sylvie Boucher picks up La Francophonie and Official Languages, a post vacated by unilingual anglaphone Ted Menzies.
Greenest Prime Minister One of the greatest orators of our time, Brian Mulroney, was in better than fine form Thursday night. If you missed his performance, it's available here. [Part Two] [Part Three]
Jane Taber's Not Hot: "Rona Ambrose. The federal Environment Minister was noticeably absent from the huge dinner in Ottawa on Thursday night honouring Brian Mulroney as "Canada's greenest prime minister." She had a scheduling conflict. Was it something to do with sun and a beach?"
Blue To Red Scott Brison launches his bid to lead the Liberal party Sunday (12:30 p.m. EST) at the Fireside Lounge in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Recent notables include lying to the Globe and Mail and billing the government of Canada $306 for non-governmental business. Brison is tied at one per cent in the polls with Rick Mercer, who's not running.
Orange To Red Bob Rae, who in 1979 as an NDP MP introduced the no-confidence motion which successfully brought down Joe Clark's Conservative government, launches his bid Monday at Ryerson University (5:00 p.m. EST) to lead the Liberals. Depending on who you ask, this "just might be the government's worst nightmare" or a "Rae of light for Canada's right."
Four Fallen As of writing, official statements released today regarding Canada's fallen soldiers. [Write To The Troops] [News] [Photos]
Washington's Diplomatic Gaffes First China's President was heckled on the White House lawn; Washington follows up by announcing Taiwan's anthem. Vice President Dick Cheney hops aboard the gaffe train by taking a breather; Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice follows suit. Hey, Hu get back here.
Parliamentary Press Gallery President Stephanie Rubec asked: "Hey, guys, has anybody seen them around?" No was the answer, and so it was declared that Frank Magazine would be denied full membership to the Parliamentary press corps. James Adams has the full details, including this quote from Frank publisher Michael Bate: "…We're outside the scrum pissing in."
Letter Of The Week Jim Muldowney, Edmonton: "I hope that Peter MacKay had the presence of mind to ask Condoleezza Rice for her autograph."
Updated Saturday, April 22 at 11:46 p.m.
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In quotes
Ben Mulroney: "Well I'm thinking of running for the leadership of the Liberal party. Everyone else seems to be doing it. And clearly you can be a Tory, an NDP — you can have lived outside the country for years. Why not that, sure Ill go for it."
Prime Minister Harper nominates Gwyn Morgan to the Public Appointments Commission: "And, he has agreed to do it for $1 a year." [News]
Madeleine Albright: "…and I can leg-press up to 400 pounds."
David Emerson: "I probably did say he (Harper) was a hard-ass. It was meant as a compliment, not a criticism. If I call you a hard-ass I think you're a pretty solid guy and you've got grit. If I call you a soft-ass or a candy-ass then I'm criticizing you."
Premier Charest at Mulroney's fête: "And when I informed my wife Michelle that I would be attending this event tonight, she asked me who would be there. And of course I said 'well there's a lot of people — Brian will be there and Mila. And oh yes, Prime Minister Harper will be there.' And the reaction was very interesting, she said: 'Again.' Laughter Great to see you again Prime Minister. Laughter I just hope Dalton McGuinty isn't watching this."
MP Andre Arthur ordered to pay $220,000 plus costs for racist comments. Judge Guilbault: "Must one target Arab and Haitian taxi drivers to assert a point of view? The court doesn't believe so."
N.B. Liberal leader Shawn Graham: "When a member of the premier's own caucus suggests blackmail was involved in the ascension of Tanker Malley to the Speaker's chair, it's time to go to the voters to decide if the Conservatives are fit to govern."
St. Johns Mayor Andy Williams apologizes for calling city councilor Shannie Duff a "stupid old woman."
Cindy Adams: "Dan Rather claims he was audited four times during the Nixon administration, and, in each case, no payments were owed."
Updated Friday, April 21 at 11:20 p.m.
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Friday morning news
[Joe Volpe] Enters Leadership Fray
['Engage The Americans'] Vintage Mulroney Lectures
[Alberta Backs Off] Private Medicare Blueprint
[Harper Promises] New Era In Canadian Federalism
[Where Did Our Money Go?] Grewal Donors
[Critics Complain] Harper Misleading On Value Of Gasoline Tax Cuts
[Paul Martin] Wins Prime Slot In Queue To Table Bills
[Colleagues] To Present Volpe As A Contender
[Ontario Tory] Wants Sex-Offender Registry Made Public
[N.S. Premier] Flip Flops On Budget Cuts
[Teary Ralph Looks Back] Klein Reflects On Legacy At His Last Premier's Dinner
[Federal Conservatives] To Open Permanent Office In Quebec To Woo Voters
[Council] Muzzling St. John's Mayor
[Hillier's] Aircraft Plan In Doubt
[Canadians Advised] To Get Passports For U.S. Travel
[Jeffrey Simpson] Call It Many Things, But Not A 'Child-Care' Policy
[Canada Refuses] Refueling Stop For Belarus PM
[NDP MPs] Warn Of Asbestos
[No Breakthrough] For Bush, Hu
[D'OH!] Washington's Diplomatic Gaffe: China Mistakenly Called By Taiwan's Name
[Israel] Steps Up Pressure On Hamas
[Iraqi PM] Steps Aside In Face Of Opposition
[LA Times] Suspends Columnists Blog [The Evidence] [Via]
[$1,000 Reward] Businessman, PEI Newspaper Want To Find Identity Of Nasty Blogger
[Governor-General's] Birthday Message To Queen Elizabeth II
[Mark Steyn] As The Queen Turns 80, There's A lot Of Writing About The Royals -- And Little Of It's Good
Updated Friday, April 21 at 11:02 a.m.
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Unnamed, named
Further to Wednesday's Metro article on David Emerson, the Toronto Star has revealed the source: Jay Epworth, Bill Graham's legislative assistant.
Peculiar in nature, the Star ran the story a day later than Metro — even though they fed the commuter daily with the story via their internal newswire. Torstar, the Star's parent owns a portion Metro's Canadian dailies. Considering it was the Star's story all along, why was the source unnamed one day; and revealed the next?
[Metro, Wednesday] "He said he would have quit by now but his wife wouldn't let him," a source who chatted with the minister over lunch told Torstar News Service.
[Toronto Star, Thursday] "He said he would have quit by now but his wife wouldn't let him." Epworth added: "You know what else he said to me?"
As to the validity of the claims, Prime Minister Harper doesn't buy it: "I think you guys in the press frankly have to, sometimes exercise a little more discretion in stories. Minister Emerson said no such thing. This was said by the Liberal party."
As for the two men at the centre of the storm, both Epworth and Emerson avoided media requests today. However, expect Emerson to address the issue tomorrow at the Vancouver Board of Trade, where Conservatives are planning a "counter-strike" to 'De-Elect' Emerson protesters. Considering the protesters rustled up a measly 12-18 people for Harper's Vancouver visit, this round should handily go to the Tories.
Update John Reynolds on CTV's Mike Duffy Live: "I've known Emerson longer than anybody in Parliament -- well over 30 years. Number one, the language he is reported to have used, I have never heard him talk like that, ever,
"I talked to David myself. He says what (Epworth) is saying are lies."
TDH Strategies: 'Epworth sat and chatted with the minister in a casual setting, where Emerson told him his reasons for switching to the Conservatives. Emerson spoke positively of the role he now had with the government, but mostly the two men just shot the breeze. Of note is the fact that throughout the entire conversation, Epworth never had a pad or a paper in hand to record the specific quotes given to the Toronto Star."
Mike Duffy: 'Well, it strikes me as being somewhat reminiscent of the Grewal situation, where you sort of wonder."
Pat Breton, Bill Graham's Director of Communications: "We and Jay stand behind everything that's there."
Updated Thursday, April 20 at 5:46 p.m.
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Passports: Mixed messages
[Stockwell Day, Wednesday] "You're still going to be able to come back to the United States with a driver's license, with some kind of birth certificate, but you may be in a slower line."
[Homeland Security Spokesperson, Wednesday] "As far as the driver's licence and birth certificates, those forms of ID -- come 2008 -- would not be sufficient to allow you to get in."
"[Our policy] is still the same as yesterday."
President Bush, Prime Minister Harper, Secretary Rice and Chertoff all understand Congress' law. Meanwhile, Stockwell Day and Peter MacKay can't quite seem to grasp the changes.
Updated Thursday, April 20 at 3:10 p.m.
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Thursday morning news
[MPs Urged] To Toe Party Line On Chairmanships
[Ralphbucks] Klein Hopes For Another Round Of Prosperity Cheques
[Ottawa Seeks] Assurances In Alberta's Third-Way
[China] Rejects Canadian Espionage Complaint
[Harper On Gen. Hillier] "I keep reading these stories about secret memos that I am vetting this and that but I am not aware of any of them." Globe and Mail: "We are confident in our sources for this story and stand behind it." [Original Story] [Editorial]
[Liberal Critics] Want Ceasefire In 'Phony War' Over Child Care
[Celebration Of Muroney's] Green Feat's Could Prove Awkward For Harper
[About 12] Young MPs Set To Back Gerard Kennedy
[One Per Cent] Scott Brison To Launch Leadership Bid Sunday
[$275,000] 344 Foreign Affairs Bureaucrats Overpaid
[N.S. Subpoena Snub] Government Office Refuses Committee's Request
[Premier Binns] Court Is Undermining Legislature
[Oppositions Eco-Policies] Are Too Watered Down, Sierra Club Leader Says [Eric Reguly]
[Fontana Says No] To Liberal Leadership
[Lawrence Martin] He's The Whiz Kid Behind The Harper Throne
[Abandon Protest,] Mayor Tells Activists: Protesters Shocked As Former Champion Changes Stand On B.C.'s Eagleridge Bluffs
[A New Film] By The G-Gs Husband Features Some Whopping Conspiracy Theories, And Some Nasty Words For President Bush
[Ed Broadbent's] Former Press Secretary To Assist Bob Rae's Leadership
[Ralph Klein] On Whether Cutting Provincial Gas Taxes Are On His Agenda: "No, no there isn't. Because you know I've often said 'what goes up, must come down.' " [Video]
[Bush Welcomes] Chinese President To White House; Protester Interrupts Ceremony "President Bush, stop him from persecuting the Falun Gong!" "President Hu, your days are numbered."
[Robert Novak] Fed's Know Who Outed CIA Agent
[U.S. Cable News] Recap: Scott McClellan Resigns
Updated Thursday, April 20 at 10:56 a.m.
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Updated Thursday, April 20 at 10:56 a.m.
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Odds & Ends
[Harper On Hockey] "I love my job as Prime Minister, but if you could be a hockey player, I mean, what could be better than that?" Canadian playoff picks: Ottawa and Calgary. TSN, Thursday 8:00 p.m. EST
[Number Of Emerson Protesters] Harper: 10. Canadian Press: About 12. De-Elect Campaign: 18.
Tories to introduce three crime bills: "The first would impose minimum sentences for violent crime while the second would end the use of conditional sentences for those convicted of violent crimes as well as weapons and drug offences. The third will raise the age of sexual consent to 16 from 14."
Maurizio Bevilacqua enters leadership race: "Let us dispense of this 'unite the left' rhetoric. Let's be proud of who we are as Liberals." [Video]
Unnamed 'source' to Torstar News on David Emerson: "He said he would have quit by now but his wife wouldn't let him."
[CIA On Blogs] "I can't get into detail of what, but I'll just say the amount of open source reporting that goes into the president's daily brief has gone up rather significantly."
President Bush's iPod contains the Beatles; iTunes doesn't sell the Fab Four.
[Neil Young] "We all don't have to believe in what our President believes to be patriotic."
Italian Court confirms Prodi victory.
Updated Thursday, April 20 at 12:17 a.m.
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Gasoline: Mixed messages
[Conservative Press Release, September 20, 2005] 'A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will remove the GST on all the federal taxes the Liberals collect on each litre of gas bought." [Via]
[Stephen Harper, September 26, 2005] "Rather than continue to rake in record high revenues from record high oil prices, will the government simply cut gas taxes for consumers?"
[Stephen Harper, September 26, 2005] "Mr. Speaker, every time gas prices rise a cent, almost $40 million goes into the coffers of the government. It should stay in the pockets of consumers."
[Stephen Harper, Wednesday] 1% GST cut, no other rebates: "The truth of the matter is higher gas prices — that's going to be something that we're going to have to get used to."
[Peter MacKay, Wednesday] On tax relief: "There [are] discussions about that right now, and we have a budget coming and we're getting all kinds of submissions ... on what to cut and what not to cut. So these are areas that we are examining"
Updated Thursday, April 20 at 12:17 a.m.
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White House Shake-up
White House press secretary Scott McClellan resigned earlier Wednesday. President Bush: "One of these days he and I are gonna be in rocking chairs in Texas, talkin' about the good old days." McClellan aboard Air Force One: "I've been at this for a long time and I didn't need much encouragement to make this decision, even though you all kept tempting me."
Hotline On Call has the list of possible candidates, including Tony Snow, a talk-show host with Fox-Radio and a former speechwriter under President George H.W. Bush. McLellan, who at times shuffled more questions than he answered, will continue to serve until a successor is named.
Meanwhile, Karl Rove will relinquish his policy portfolio to Joel Kaplan, while focusing on midterm elections and continuing in his capacity as deputy chief of staff.
Updated Wednesday, April 19 at 3:46 p.m.
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Headline of the day
Flashback December 5, 2005: Mulroney Speaks At Concordia University
[Vancouver Sun]
Updated Wednesday, April 19 at 10:28 a.m.
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Wednesday morning news
[Ottawa] Seeks Closer Watch On Top General: Outspoken Chief Of The Defence Staff Is Asked To Clear Remarks With Minister
[Social Conservatives] To Sell Tory Daycare Plan: Federal Officials Seek Lobbyists' Help To Put A Positive Face On Key Agenda Item [Harper Stands Firm On Child Care]
[Tory MPs] At Odds Over PM's Role In Appointments [John Ibbitson]
[U.S.] Stands Firm On Border Identity Cards
[Can Maurizio Bevilacqua] Be The New Liberal Face?
[McGunity] Low On PMs Dance Card: Harper Finally Agrees To Meet Ontario's Liberal Premier -- A Full Month After Quietly Sitting Down With Opposition Leader Tory
[Charest, Lord] Pledge To Ease Labour Barriers
[Premier Rodney MacDonald] He's Dropping Bills, Will He Drop The Writ? [Marilla Stephenson]
[Unelected Fortier] Ottawa's Accountability Measures To Help Small Businesses [Video]
[Diplomats Complain] Of Unfair Ottawa Police Treatment
[Tories Facing] Senate Snag
[Bush Staff Shuffle] Threaten Trade Talks: Official Involved In Softwood Issue
[Most Americans] Do Not Trust Bush On Iran
[President Bush] On Donald Rumsfeld: "I'm the decider, and I decide what's best."
[Richard Cohen] On Al Gore: "But on paper, he is the near-perfect Democratic candidate for 2008."
[FBI] Wants To Search Papers Of Late Columnist
Updated Wednesday, April 19 at 09:30 a.m.
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Updated Wednesday, April 19 at 09:30 a.m.
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Tuesday morning news
[Harper Changes Tune] On Appointments
[PM Appoints] Maurice Vellacott To Chair Aboriginal Affairs Committee: MP Spoke Up For Officers Convicted Of Abandoning Man In -25 Cold
[Tories Ethic Law] Seen As Violating Charter
[Flaherty] Vows 'Overall' Tax Relief In Budget
[Ottawa] To Address New Travel-Security Law In Meeting With U.S.
[Federal Cut] Of Oil Taxes To Be Sliced In Half
[Mulroney: Blue Tory,] Green Leader
[Liberal Leadership] Race Starting To Get Crowded, Particularly On Left Flank [Brison, Dion] To PEI This Weekend
[Trips To Cuba] Bring Heat: Tory MPP Breaks Code Of Silence To Question Grit's Attendance Record
[60 Per Cent] Of Albertans Want More Respect: Poll
[Governor-General] Prepares For Haiti Visit
[Former Newfoundland] Cabinet Minister Drowns
[Emerson] Critics Vow To Pounce On Harper Today
[Premier Rodney MacDonald] Says A Career In Music Is Great Training For Becoming A Politician
[N.S. Insiders] Predict Spring Election
[Ontario MPPs] Back Bill Capping Property Tax Assessment Increases: Vaughan Rate Hikes Hit Seventy-Two Per Cent
[Wife's Image] Not Worth A Lick With Canada Post
[Israel] Tempers Response To Tel Aviv Bombing [Editorial]
[Iran] Ready To 'Cut The Hand Of Any Aggressor' [Editorial] [Bush: 'All Options On The Table']
[Former NDP Candidate] To Challenge Buzz Hargrove For CAW Leadership
[Josh Bolten] Hints At White House Shakeup
[Hillary Clinton] Sets Bar for '08 Funds: Senator Has $20 Million For Reelection, Possible Presidential Bid
[Tom Cruise] "I'm Gonna Eat The Placenta."
Updated Tuesday, April 18 at 10:56 a.m.
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Monday morning news
[Senators' Concern] Could Slow Accountability Law, Mercer Says; Joint Ethics Officer Called A Hurdle
[Three Harper] Conservative MPs Could Run Provincially In Alberta If Manning Wins Leadership
[Bob Rae] Set To Enter Crowded Liberal Contest
[Tory MPs] Face Pressure From Constituents On Promise To Scrap Gun Registry
[Tighten Laws] Against Terrorist Financing, Ottawa Told
[Andy Mitchell] Liberal Party's New Chief Of Staff; Jane Stewart Resigns
[Emerson's] Loyal Protesters Skip Weekend Appearance
[Layton, Chow] Hit Halifax: Education, Child Care On Agenda
[Ex-Premier John Buchanan] Retires From Senate
[Forty Per Cent] Of Liberal Voters Satisfied With Tory Government, Poll Indicates
[Garth Turner, Columnist] Debate Over Income Tax Heats Up Ottawa
[Seven Dead] In Tel Aviv Bomb Attack [Hamas] Terror Attack Act Of Self Defense
[U.S. National Intelligence] A Good Leak v. A Bad Leak
[America's 10 Best] Senators, Five Who Are Falling Short
[Robin Williams] "You Basically Elected A Bush Baby — And You Did It Openly!"
Updated Monday, April 17 at 10:05 a.m.
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Odds & Ends: Thumbs up, thumbs down
Communications Industry Minister Bernier retracts, Environment Minister Ambrose gongs fiction and the PMO muzzles General Hillier. [Loose Lips Sink Careers]
Sightseer News Two thumbs up caption contest, Rick Salutin on journalists incorrect predictions and Alan Holman on chutzpah.
Survey Says 39% of Canadian's would vote for the Conservatives, up from 36% in January; 65% support the Prime Minister's five priorities.
Iraq Five retired Generals call for Donald Rumsfeld's resignation; Bush undeterred. Neil Young records "Let's Impeach the President." [Via]
Iran From Calgary, Prime Minister Harper condemns president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Dead Heat Rick Mercer and Scott Brison tied at one per cent to lead the Liberal party.
Star-struck MacKay Allan Freeman: "Like a teenager who couldn't believe his good luck at finally meeting a real-live superstar" Canadian Press: ". . . he nearly ran out of superlatives."
Updated Saturday, April 15 at 6:40 p.m.
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Timing is everything
Twenty-four hours after the Federal Accountability Act was introduced, Stephen Harper's government appointed ex-Tory MP Jim Gouk to the Board of Nav Canada. While some are surprised at the timing of the announcement, don't be: Once the act becomes legislation, appointments are subjected to greater scrutiny. However, prior patronage appointees skip their way to payday.
Updated Thursday, April 13 at 9:19 p.m.
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In quotes: I wanna hold your hand edition
[Peter MacKay] "I'm delighted to be here. I've always been a fan of yours."
"And much of our discussion today confirmed what I already knew about you from having followed your career.''
Her "warmth, her intelligence"
Updated Thursday, April 13 at 7:34 p.m.
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Thursday morning news
[Ottawa Plan] Hacks Green Programs: Cabinet Documents Leaked
[Entitled To Entitlements] David Dingwall Pushed, Report Says
[Harper Says GST] Cut Coming But Hints Liberal Income Tax Cuts Will Be Reversed
[Health Minister] Lauds Quebec's Wait-Time Pledge
[Tories Risk] Creating Dissenting Voice With New Budget Office
[Liberals Contemplate] Uniting The Left As A Way Back To Office
[Liberal MP] Intends To Serve Seal Meat To Parliamentarians ["They Taste Like Rancid Codfish"]
[Harper] Steers Clear Of Hebron Fight [Editorial]
[Government] Using "Bait And Switch" Over Access To Information Reform [Taxpayers Federation]
[Government] Opposition Takes Aim At Child Care Allowance: Won't Even Buy A Diaper A Day, NDP Says
[Paul Wells] The Secret Plot To Destroy The Liberals
[Uproar] As Artists Turn Back On Sovereignty
[N.S.] Tories Face Subpoenas After Censored Memo
[Ontario: Get Used To] Hydro Hikes, Watchdog Warns [Editorial]
[Tamil Tiger] Ban Applauded
[Iran's President] To World: Get Used To It
[Analysts] Say Nuclear Iran Is Years Away
[Rumsfeld] Rebuked By Retired Generals: Ex-Iraq Commander Calls For Resignation
[Dana Millbank] For Bill Clinton, A Chance To Evoke Better Days
[Double-Double] Tim Horton's Double's Wages At Kandahar Location
Updated Thursday, April 13 at 10:30 a.m.
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Logic, or lack thereof
Fresh from a 12-day, $1.5-million Arctic sovereignty patrol that included 42 men, the Canadian military is reducing the number of soldiers and staff at Alert station, the 'most northern permanently inhabited settlement in the world.' Heating costs are cited for the cuts.
If the military can't afford to put gas in the furnace, how will they power-up the icebreakers?
[Gen. Hillier: Show Me The Money]
Updated Wednesday, April 12 at 6:32 p.m.
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One of these things is not like the other
[Prime Minister Harper, March 31] "It is an American law. I don't think there's any prospect of Congress changing that law between now and the deadline."
[President Bush, March 31] "Congress passed the law, and I intend to enforce the law."
[Peter MacKay, Apr. 11] "The Americans have passed legislation now, this is quite far down the road as far as an initiative around passports — is this something that can be reversed or slowed down? Possibly, we know the technology doesn't exist and quite frankly I'm not sure they can meet their own deadlines."
If you guessed Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister, you're correct. Chalk it up as Canada's 'voice to the world' speaking out of turn — again.
Updated Wednesday, April 12 at 4:07 p.m.
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First MP in, first MP out
With John Godfrey pulling out of the Liberal leadership, two MPs are left in the race to succeed Paul Martin: one has credentials, the other is a sightseer who brands himself as 'left of center,' all the while defending his stance on torture and President Bush's invasion of Iraq. Go figure.
Updated Wednesday, April 12 at 1:40 p.m.
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Wednesday morning news
[Critics] Demand Defence Minister's Recusal: Ex-Lobbyist O'Connor Denies Any Conflicts Rising From Weapons-Procurement Deals
[Accountability Act] Harper's Spring Cleanup [Three Bones Of Contention] [John Ibbitson]
[Canadians] Win Freedom For Chinese Dissident
[Conservatives] Target 2010 Appointees: May Include Jean Chretien's Daughter, Sheila Copps And Herb Dhaliwal
[John Godfrey] Bows Out Of Liberal Leadership Race, Citing Health Concerns
[Premiers] Split On Equalization Methods [Murray Campbell]
[Whistleblower] Rewards Give Wrong Impression: Critic
[PM] Fires Another Salvo At The Press
[Harper] Brings Back Made-In-Newfoundland Forecasts
[Ethics Czar] Harper Aims To Pull A Thorn From His Side
[Chevron] Rushes To Disband Newfoundland's Hebron
[Italian Canadian Voters] Pivotal In Electing Prodi [Canadian Wins A Seat]
[Editorial] The Liberals' True Place Is In The Political Centre
[Ex-Premier Hamm] Graduates Should Pay If They Go: Floats Idea Of Carrot And Stick To Stem Exodus
[Iran] Aims For Large Scale-Enrichment
[Prosecuctor] In CIA Leak Case Corrects Part Of Court Filing
[Public-Service Journalism] The Globe Wins Michener Award
[$50-million] Muhammad Ali Sells Rights To Name
Updated Wednesday, April 12 at 10:00 a.m.
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Updated Wednesday, April 12 at 10:00 a.m.
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Federal Accountability Act may lead to Chrétien inquiry
Prime Minister Harper and Treasury Board President John Baird unveiled the government's Federal Accountability Act (FAA) Tuesday.
Highlights of the 13-section document are available here.
Three notables:
∙ An adviser will be hired for six-months to review former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's usage of opinion surveys prior to 2003. If warranted, a judicial inquiry will be convened.
∙ Considering previous governments are being investigated: No mention of an adviser / inquiry for former Prime Minister and Harper adviser Brian Mulroney, who received $300,000 in cash from Karlheinz Schreiber. Mulroney testified in court while he was suing the federal government: "I had never had any dealings with him." Nonetheless, the former Prime Minister was ultimately successful in his legal fight with Ottawa and was awarded $2-million of taxpayer dollars.
∙ The FAA proposes to combine the Ethics Commissioner position for both the Senate and House of Commons. Further, that official should have a judicial background; Bernard Shapiro doesn't. While Harper can't fire Shapiro, look for the Prime Minister to seek and ultimately receive support from opposition party Leaders for a new czar.
While the FAA is missing some of it's promised laws for access-to-information, overall, the Accountability Act's unprecedented scope and reforms are more than welcome by most -- with the exception of lobbyists.
[Text: FAA]
Updated Tuesday, April 11 at 6:00 p.m.
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Be careful what you wish for
Despite all the bellyaching for a debate on Canada's Afghan role, a meagre 17% of Opposition MPs were present for the start of last night's debate.
Conservatives 58 of 125
Liberals 21 of 102
NDP 8 of 29
Bloc 2 of 51
The numbers fluctuated throughout the night, with the NDP being the only party to have their full caucus present when their Leader spoke. Liberals had 21 of 102 MPs present when defence critic Ujjal Dosanjh addressed the Commons. Neither Stephen Harper nor Gilles Duceppe were present throughout the evening.
Updated Tuesday, April 11 at 12:38 p.m.
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Tuesday morning news
[Conservatives] To Unveil Accountability Act Today
[Tory Bill] To Scrap Senate Ethics Job
[The Afghan Mission] Polls, History Experts Point To Sea Change In Opinion Of Military
[Take-Note Debate] NDP Demands Answers On Afghanistan [John Ibbitson]
[Justice Minister] Mulls U.S. Organized Crime Laws After Violent Gang Deaths
[Tories Amend] Child-Care Blueprint: Agree Not To Reduce Early Learning Spaces
[Manitoba] To Ban MLA Floor Crossing
[Security Lapse] Reveals Secrets Of Air Force One
[Op-Ed: Belinda Stronach] Why I'm Interested In The Liberal Party — Not The Liberal Leadership
[Premier Williams] Wants Expropriation Tools
[Preston Manning] Canvassing Alberta MPs For Support
[Money Transfers] Dominate Premiers Meeting
[PQ] Hangs On To Montreal Riding
[Andrew Cohen] An Unflattering Chapter In Trudeau's Life
[Military] Needs More Muslims, General Hillier Says
[MP Garth Turner] To Join House Of Commons Finance Committee
[Ottawa] Mulls Softwood Help: Holds Out Possibility Of Loan Guarantees
[Time Magazine] Laying Off Canadian Staff
[60% Disapprove] Poll Finds Bush Job Rating At New Low
[Centre-Left] Claim Victory In Italian Election
[Israeli Cabinet] Declares Ariel Sharon Permanently Incapacitated
[Queen's 80th Birthday] 80 Facts: #9 Tony Blair Is The First Prime Minister To Have Been Born During The Queen's Reign
Updated Tuesday, April 11 at 09:57 a.m.
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Crime & Punishment
Ad executive Paul Coffin started serving his 18-month jail sentence Monday in connection with the sponsorship scandal. Coffin's original sentence was overturned after lawyers for the Crown successfully argued a felon of his stature deserved prison rather than lecturing students — on ethics of all things.
In other crime news, the Conservative government has added the Tamil Tigers to Canada's list of known terrorists.
Updated Monday, April 10 at 5:15 p.m.
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Rothstein welcomed to Supreme Court
[Justice Rothstein] "I thank you all for your generous sentiments. I should clarify one thing at the outset, I noticed that in her remarks the Chief Justice was straddling both options calling me at times Rothstein and sometimes Rothsteyn. I can clear that up quickly: the Rothsteyn's are the rich ones."
Rothstein's six-minutes of merriment.
[News] [Statement: Justice Minister]
Updated Monday, April 10 at 1:51 p.m.
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Monday morning news
[Officials] Laud Afghan Missions Ahead Of Debate
[Poll] Finds Canadians Split On Afghan Mission [Real] [Quicktime]
[U.S.] Planning Iran Strike: Reports [New Yorker]
[Accountability Act] To Include CBC
[Conservatives Ban] Cellphones, BlackBerries In Weekly Caucus Meetings
[Tories] Promise To Protect Government Whistleblowers [Video]
[Michael Ignatieff] Strains To Explain Hawkish Writing On Iraq
[Preston Manning] Close To Decision On Political Comeback
[Top Tier] Forms In Race For Top Liberal Job
[Douglas Fisher] Grit Caucus Looks Light Beside Bloc, Tories, NDP
[Studies] Fuel Kyoto Hope For Tories: Greenhouse Gas Targets Within Reach, Reports Say
[Canadian Soldiers] Finish Epic Arctic Patrol
[MP's] Admit Pay Raise Could Cause Backlash
[Canadian Journalist] Freed From Belarus Prison
[Classified Hydro-Quebec] Security Documents Found On Subway
[Tamil Terrorist] Label Will Hurt Talks, Groups Says
[Bush Declassified Report] But Did Not OK Leak, Says Senior Official
[Hugo Chavez] Threatens To Expel U.S. Ambassador
[Silvio Berluscioni] Threatens To Fight Election Before Votes Are Final [Exit Polls]
[Tribunal Lawyers] Trade Shots: Guantanamo Commissions Are Plagued by Legal Infighting
[EU Ministers] Ban Visa For Belarussian President
[Prince William] Future Bling Of England
Updated Monday, April 10 at 10:10 a.m.
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In quotes
[Peter MacKay] "And your island, Mr. Potatohead."
[President Bush, 2004] "If there's a leak out of my administration, I want to know who it is. If the person has the violated law, that person will be taken care of."
Updated Friday, April 07 at 5:04 p.m.
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Who you know
Marie-Josee Lapointe has had her contract abruptly cut with the government after it was revealed she was not only a Tory insider; her job was awarded untendered. Ironically, Lapointe was advising the Harper government on ethics and accountability.
Treasury Board President John Baird accepts the guffaw but has other problems -- he can't seem to get his PMO talking points into the first person: "I'm the minister and the buck stops with me, and the minister wasn't happy about it when he learned about it from a reporter."
Updated Friday, April 07 at 3:23 p.m.
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Two-stepping with Scott
Aside from lying to the Globe and Mail, and showcasing no judgment whatsoever by corresponding with Bay Street's star 'income-trust guy' on the eve of his government's income-trust announcement, Scott Brison is up to his to old tricks. The Liberal MP's latest antics include billing the government $306 for non-governmental business.
Note to Liberals: If you desire to remain the Opposition in perpetuity, elect Brison as your leader.
Updated Friday, April 07 at 11:50 a.m.
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Friday morning news
[Tories] Will Neither Live Up To Or Kill Kyoto
[Stephane Dion] Formally Enters Race For Liberal Leadership
[Russo Deal] Blasted As Attempt 'To Buy' Better Sentence
[New Tory Ethics Plan] To Grant New Power To Audit Native Reserves
[Trudeau] Book Details His Separatist Youth
[Tories] Still Working On Cost Of Crime Plan
[Tories] Back Liberal Bid To Amend Blueprint: Throne Speech Change Rules Out Tax Increases
['Preston-for-Premier'] Camp Gains Steam
[Op-ed: Preston Manning] In Praise Of Modesty
[N.B. Minister] Under Fire After Telling Bawdy Joke
[N.B.'s Lord] Faces Tight Budget Vote
[Harper] Vows To Provide More Answers On Dingwall
[TD] Had Eye On Frank McKenna
[Dear Ralph] Harper Advises Klein On Health-Care Reforms
[David Emerson] Will Step Aside To Avoid Appearance Of Conflict
[Tories] Accuse Liberals Of Bashing Quebec For Political Points
[Federal Liberals] Lose 75,000 Quebec Members
[Justin Trudeau] To Head Youth Task Force On Liberal Renewal
[Senators] Keen To Get On TV Despite Jokes, Poor Ratings
Updated Friday, April 07 at 10:10 a.m.
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Leading by example
The border and floor-crosser should heed Stronach's example: sightseers don't lead.
[Video Part One: Stronach Press Conference] [Part Two] [Part Three]
Updated Thursday, April 06 at 4:43 p.m.
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In quotes
Question Period: Day One
[Prime Minister Harper] "Mr. Speaker, I do not think I have ever been accused of seducing anyone, even my wife."
[David Emerson] "I shake my head at the hypocrisy of the honourable (Liberal) member."
Updated Thursday, April 6 at 10:05 a.m.
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Thursday morning news
[PM Relents,] Allows MP's To Debate Afghanistan [Lawrence Martin]
[Gay Marriage] Vote Coming, PM Says
[PM Pummels] Grits Defending Throne Speech
[Tories] Cut Climate Change Budget By 40%, Set To Close 40 Public Information Offices [Real] [Quicktime]
[Farmers Rally] In Ottawa To Seek Billions In Aid [Video]
[President Bush] Authorized Leak To Times, Libby Told Grand Jury: NY Paper
[Bernard Shapiro] Won't Investigate Brison Income Trust E-mail
[Ralph Klein] Shuffles Cabinet As Another Minister Joins Race
[Jean Charest] Dodges Crisis In Cabinet
[Michael Wilson] Asks U.S. To Delay Passport Rules
[Peter MacKay] May Raise Issue Of CIA Planes With U.S.
[David Peterson] Warns Arch-rival Bob Rae He's Not Welcome In Liberal Leadership Race
[Irwin Cotler] Says Most MP's Support Gun Registry: Tories Won't Be Able To Cancel Program
[Paul Dewar] Offers Apology To Richard Mahoney: $300,000 Lawsuit Pending
[Unelected Michael Fortier] Gets An Easy Ride
[Liberals] Queue Up For Their Day At The Races [Kennedy] [Ignatieff]
[Military Role] Considered For Canada In Darfur
[Nova Scotia] Put Potato Scandal In Past, Say Liberals And NDP About Handouts
[The New Session] Appointment Of Returning Officers To Be Non-partisan
[Israel] Detains Hamas Cabinet Minister
[Ordered Deaths,] Hussein Admits
[How I Work] By Bill Gates
Updated Thursday, April 06 at 10:05 a.m.
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Take-note debate
This Monday, Parliamentarians will debate Canada's war in Afghanistan. While a vote won't be held, the "take-note" debate is designed to allow MP's to ask questions and state their positions.
Updated Wednesday, April 05 at 5:26 p.m.
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Who'll be stepping up to the plate for the Liberals?
Latest standings:
Confirmed candidates
Clifford Blais
The Fiddler
Martha Hall Findlay
John Godfrey
Gerard Kennedy
Expected to declare Friday
Stéphane Dion
Michael Ignatieff
Interested
Carolyn Bennett
Maurizio Bevilacqua
Scott Brison
Denis Coderre
Ruby Dhalla
Ken Dryden
Joe Fontana
Hedy Fry
Ralph Goodale
Tony Ianno
John McCallum
David McGuinty
Dan McTeague
David Orchard
Bob Rae
Belinda Stronach
Joe Volpe
Updated Wednesday, April 05 at 4:40 p.m.
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A first for the NDP
NDP MP Bill Blaikie has been appointed Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons. Canada's longest-serving MP will fill in as needed for Speaker Peter Milliken.
Updated Wednesday, April 05 at 3:40 p.m.
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What a difference a day makes
Nary a peep, about same-sex marriage in yesterday's throne speech. Nonetheless, 20-odd hours later, convicted Justice Minister Vic Toews has announced the Tory government will introduce a bill into Parliament banning gay marriage.
Updated Wednesday, April 05 at 1:50 p.m.
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Welcome to the party
1,114-days after the war in Iraq was launched, presidential-wannabe John Kerry reveals his two-fold strategy: Leave. In awhile.
"Iraqi politicians should be told that they have until May 15 to put together an effective unity government or we will immediately withdraw our military."
"If Iraq's leaders succeed in putting together a government, then we must agree on another deadline: a schedule for withdrawing American combat forces by year's end."
Too bad Senator Kerry, who voted for invading Iraq, didn't reveal the above noted plan when he was running for president. Of course, that would involve leadership.
Updated Wednesday, April 05 at 12:50 p.m.
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After Chrétien's visit: Harpers unprecedented Afghan trip
The Toronto Star's Antonia Zerbisias points out two glaring errors in the Toronto Star, by two writers, on the same subject matter.
Updated Wednesday, April 05 at 12:50 p.m.
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Wednesday morning news
[Brief Throne Speech] Hails U.S. As Best Friend [John Ibbitson] [Editorial] [11 AM: Live Discussion]
[Bank Mergers] Left Off Tory Agenda
[Opposition Says] Harper Missed His Chance To Give Details On His Government's Plans
[Jane Taber] A Soldier, A Singer And A Fresh Start For Harper
[Ontario Premier] To Shuffle Cabinet As Gerard Kennedy Pursues Liberal Dream
[Bob Rae] Puts In Application To Join Liberal Party
[MPs In Top Two Per Cent] Of Wage Earners With $147,700 Salary This Year
[Up To 10,000 Protesters] Expected On Parliament Hill Today: Farmers Seek Stable Funds
[Quebec Premier,] Former Minister Threaten Slander Suit Over Zoo Comments
[$16-million] U.S. Businesswoman Makes Offer To Harper To End Seal Hunt
[Tory MP James Moore] Gets A New Starring Role In Commons
[Daniel Cere] Not Much New In Ignatieff's Vision Of Liberalism
[Tim Hortons] Just One Idea To Make Kandahar Posting Bearable
[Italian Canadians] Are Divided On Value Of Vote: Italy Permitting Citizens Abroad To Elect Representatives
[Rare Spirit Bear] To Be B.C.'s New Symbol
[Iraqi PM] Rejects Calls To Step Aside [Saddam Cross-examined]
[Political Lesson] Capitalizing On DeLay Dropout: Resignation May Lead To Quick Action On Ethics Legislation
[French Protests] Add Fuel To Rivalry Between PM And Interior Minister
[Happy 15th Anniversary] Katie Couric Says She's Leaving NBC's 'Today' Show For CBS
Updated Wednesday, April 05 at 09:50 a.m.
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Throne Speech
Aside from the government's five main priorities, notable's in the 28-minute throne speech include:
∙ Senate reform review
∙ Comprehensive reviews of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, the Anti-terrorism Act and the Bank Act
∙ Chinese Head Tax apology
∙ Federalism that recognizes Quebec
∙ Stronger military
∙ "More effective use of Canadian aid dollars"
∙ Stronger multilateral/bilateral relationships, starting with the U.S.
∙ "A more robust diplomatic role for Canada"
∙ "Significant international treaties will be submitted"
∙ Address the fiscal imbalance
The NDP is taking a wait and see approach, all-the-while patting themselves on the back:
Jack Layton: "We'll be watching to see if Mr. Harper follows through on the commitments made in this speech."
"I was very pleased to see that all of the work that our House Leader Libby Davies and Toronto MP Olivia Chow have done on the Chinese Head Tax redress was not in vain."
The Liberals are none too happy, but failed to offer any corrective solutions:
Scott Brison: "This is pretty thin gruel. Canadians want parliament to be ambitious.... Their throne speech represents a government with no intention to do that."
Meanwhile, thumbs up from the Bloc:
Gilles Duceppe: "If the speech stays like this, we're prepared to give the government a chance and vote for (the speech),"
Thumbs down from the Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada:
Monica Lysack: "The Throne Speech indicates the government does not recognize that compromise with Parliament is required if it is to deliver on any of its commitments. We expect the opposition parties and Canadians to school the Tories in the realities of a minority government,"
First Nations are disappointed they weren't mentioned, even though they didn't expect to be:
Chief Phil Fontaine: "Our expectation was that there would be no specific mention of First Nations issues, given that we were not one of the government's five stated priorities, but we are still disappointed that there was no reference to our agenda, nor any reference to our historic agreements on residential schools or to close the gap in quality of life between First Nations and other Canadians,"
The Ontario Coalition of Chinese Head Tax Payers are pleased:
Susan Eng: "This is a historic moment, and the first step to righting a historic wrong,"
Federation of Canadian Municipalities has a bizarre statement:
Gloria Kovach: "There were no surprises in today's Speech from the Throne. The Prime Minister indicated early on that it would focus on his government's key priorities. He kept his word." [Cities aren't part of Harper's five main priorities]
Finally, the quote of the day goes to Liberal MP Bill Graham: We will oppose the government if "they don't recognize they are the richest government ever to come into power."
[Text: Throne Speech]
[Video: PM Interview]
[Video: Throne Speech Part One]
[Video: Throne Speech Part Two]
[Video: Throne Speech Part Three]
Updated Tuesday, April 04 at 8:30 p.m.
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Dead man walking
Ralph Klein will tender a letter this September, which will "urge the party to convene a leadership contest." He expects to leave "around the end of December."
Considering the King's weak 55% leadership vote, many expected Canada's longest-serving Premier to leave earlier than the end of the year.
Nonetheless, Klein's musings from March 8th, provide some insight into the timing of his departure: "I haven't even talked to an archivist yet, " said Klein. "I know that (former) premier (Mike) Harris of Ontario ... it took him nine months to wind his office down.
"I'd hate to be defeated and try to deal with all the good stuff I get. I have to look after the condo, all the clothes I have here, the furniture. We have to find out where I'm going to put all this stuff."
[Bio] [Quotes] [Career]
[Video: Press Conference Part One]
[Video: Press Conference Part Two]
Updated Tuesday, April 04 at 4:37 p.m.
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Tuesday morning news
[Tories] Laud New Era Of House Teamwork
[Liberals 'Perfectly Capable'] Of Fighting An Election: Bill Graham
[After The Throne Speech,] It's Off To The Vice Regal Party
[Newfoundland, Exxon] Plug Pulled On Hebron Offshore Project [Jeffrey Simpson]
[Tories Plan To Focus] On Quebec, Insider Says: Toronto, Other Large Cities No Longer Seen As Key To Winning Majority
[N.S., N.B.] Gearing Up For Elections: Observers
[Ontario Blasts PM] Over Identity Card Stance
[Ex-aide] Faces New B.C. Charges: Central Figure In Raid On B.C. Legislature Charged With Fraud And Breach Of Trust
[Gerard Kennedy] Given Ultimatum By Premier: McGuinty Tells Education Minister To Decide Whether He'll Leave Cabinet And Join Liberal Race
[Cancellation Of Gun Registry] Will Require Commons Vote
[Klein Loyalists] Outraged By Party Vote [Tom Flanagan] [Editorial]
[Colleen Klein] 'This Was Dirty Politics At Its Best' - Palace Coup May Backfire, Wife Warns
[$300,000] Defamation Suit Filed Against NDP MP Paul Dewar
[Former PM Martin] Returns To Commons As Backbench MP
[Ignatieff, Dion] To Launch Bids This Week
['David Emerson: Call Home'] Constituents Air Their Beefs About Emerson's Defection
[The Emerson Affair] Suddenly Corporate Warfare And Boardroom Brawls Never Looked So Good
[Israel] Fires Missiles Into Palestinian Leader's Compound
[Iraq Court] Charges Hussein With Genocide Of Kurds
[Former U.S. House] Majority Leader DeLay Quits
[Thai PM] To Take "Political Break" — Aide
[CBS] Prepares To Land A New Anchor: Katie Couric Set To Leave NBC's 'Today'
Updated Tuesday, April 04 at 10:10 a.m.
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In quotes
[Stephen Harper] "I think ultimately there will have to be constitutional changes, not just to accommodate Quebec, but also to accommodate demands we have from the West and from other parts of the country and from the population of Canada -- that after a hundred and thirty some years, that our Constitution be renewed and that it be updated and that it be modernized and that it be democratic; that we have, for example, a Parliament where everyone's elected."
To recap: the Prime Minister would like to modify the Constitution, so he can stop himself from appointing unelected senators (Michael Fortier) to cabinet.
As you were.
[Audio Interview]
Updated Monday, April 03 at 4:12 p.m.
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Milliken re-elected
Liberal MP Peter Milliken, who sleeps in the single-bed Mackenzie King passed away in, has been re-elected as Speaker of the House.
Updated Monday, April 03 at 1:55 p.m.
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Parliamentary dates and times
Monday, 11 a.m.: Members elect a Speaker of the House of Commons. [Live Stream]
Tuesday, 3 p.m.: Throne speech
Wednesday, Thursday, 2 p.m.: Question Period.
Friday, 11:15 a.m.: Question Period.
Updated Monday, April 03 at 10:50 a.m.
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Monday morning news
[Accountability Act] To Be Tories' First Bill [Analysis] [Editorial]
[U.S. Ambassador] Expects Softwood Resolution By End Of Year [Video]
[PMO, Media] Continue To Fight Over Cabinet Access
[55%] Klein Set To Declare Leadership Decision [Jeffrey Simpson] [Preston Manning May Run]
[Harper] Outlines Crime-fighting Efforts As Parliament Looms
[Only One-third] Of Canadians Feel Will Of The People Rules: Poll
[81% Of Canadians] Want Current Government To Last At Least A Year
[NDP] Girds For House Battle
[Emerson] Draws Biggest Protest Yet
[Anti-Emerson] Protesters Fly Message Over Parliament Hill
[Bono] Might Change Tune If Tories Meet Election Promise To Boost Foreign Aid
Updated Monday, April 03 at 10:10 a.m.
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The common man
Conservative MP Garth Turner at "700 Sussex," his Ottawa home. Some units have sold for $2-million.
[John Ibbitson]
Updated Monday, April 03 at 10:10 a.m.
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Survey says: Top 5 Canadian fools
[Strategic Counsel]
Federal Liberal Party 34%
Celine Dion 27%
CBC 13%
Canadian Electorate 12%
Team Canada 11%
Updated Saturday, April 01 at 5:10 p.m.
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All rise
Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn can add a new title to his CV: Judge. Hearn's new role is self-appointed and recent decisions include banning five individuals from observing the seal-hunt, including two journalists. None have been charged with any crime.
No word yet, if Hearn plans to overhaul the Constitution or when his Court's next session is planned. More as it becomes available.
Updated Saturday, April 01 at 3:02 p.m.
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Posted at Monday, May 08, 2006 EDT 
