Dan Cook: May 2006
DAN COOK,
Globe and Mail Update
Wednesday morning news
[PM Plays It Slow] On Senate Reform: Limiting Senators To One, Eight-Year Term Is First Step In Gradual Change, Harper Says [Jeffrey Simpson]
[Troops Told Geneva Rules] Don't Apply To Taliban: Canadian Soldiers In Afghanistan Also Told Canadian Regulations On Prisoner's Rights Don't Apply Either
[Liberals Refuse] To Investigate Volpe Donations [Editorial]
[Governor General Warned] Against Visiting Troops In Afghanistan
[Tories Aim] For 'Financially Sound' Pollution Plan: Environment Minister Still Cloudy About Details On Tories' 'Made In Canada' Plan For Environment
[Editorial] Fixed Election Dates Make A lot Of Sense
[Despite Combat] Deaths, Canada Not At War In Kandahar: Defence Minister
[Military Parks G-Wagons] As Afghan Danger Grows
[A-G Fraser Probes] $650-Million In Contracts
[N.B. Speaker] Survives Vote, Verbal Abuse: Tories Defeat Motion That Would Have Forced Embattled Speaker From Chair
[Stephane Dion] Unveils Platform To Tiny Audience [Editorial]
[U.S. Likely To Delay] ID Cards At Border, Harper Says
[Caledonia Owners] Line Up For Relief Funds
[Documents Name] Four Key Brison Supporters: Loans of $50,000 Each
[Immigrants' Families] Shortchanged, Suit Says: Lawyer Alleges Ottawa Made Bottlenecks To Exclude Parents And Grandparents
[Electronic Tags Worry] Privacy Chief: Embedded Devices Can Track Products Right To The Consumer, Commissioner Finds
[Crown Corporations] Must Be Non-Political, Gomery Urges
[N.S. Liberals] Unveil Plan To Fix Health-Care System
[Video] Interview With Prime Minister Stephen Harper By CTV News And The Globe and Mail
[N.L. Children Petition] To Rename Museum
[Iran's Military Plans] For Invasion By U.S.
[Local Tory Chief] Says 'PM's Suicide Would Cheer Us Up'
[Bush] Is 'Renegade Rightwing Extremist': Al Gore
Updated Wednesday, May 31 at 10:20 a.m.
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Updated Wednesday, May 31 at 10:20 a.m.
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Tuesday morning news
[Flaherty Moves To Defuse] Rift With Provinces: Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty Says Ottawa Is Inclined To Exclude Natural Resources From Equalization Payments [John Ibbitson]
[Executives' Donations] To Joe Volpe Draw Fire: NDP Calls For Probe Into 20 Donations To The Liberal Leadership Candidate's From Drug Executives' Families
[Terrorists] Already Among Us, CSIS Says: Deputy Director Tells Senate Hearing That Potential Attackers Are Lurking In Canadian Cities
[Harper Set To Unveil] Senate Reform Bill: Reforms Not Expected To Go As Far As To Include A Program For An Elected Senate
[Provinces Challenge Ottawa] On Child Care: Federal Government's Child-Plan Steps Beyond Its Jurisdiction, Provincial Ministers Says
[Western Premiers] Stand Up For Kelowna Accord
[Liberals Tried To] 'Shut Me Up': Ex-Chair, RCMP Public Complaints Commission
[Judge Wants To Know] Why Caledonia Order Not Enforced
[Provinces Can Pay] Kyoto Tab, PM Says
[MacKay Vague] About Troop Commitment: Foreign Affairs Minister Sidesteps Question On Whether Canada Is At War In Afghanistan
[N.S. Parties] Courting Voters With 533% More Goodies Than In '03 Campaign
[Bob Rae] Vows To Defeat Harper And His 'Right-Wing' Agenda
[Norman Spector] How To End The Prime Minister's Impasse With The Press
[Questions] in Canada, But Only Some Can Ask Them
[Stephane Dion] Seeks To Change His Image: Liberal Leadership Hopeful Says He Paid A Price For His Role In Federalist Campaign
[Anti-U.S. Riots] Rage In Kabul
[Interview With] Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
[Hillary Clinton] Is A Politician Not Easily Defined: Senator's Platform Remains Unclear
Updated Tuesday, May 30 at 09:25 a.m.
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Monday morning news
[Indonesian Earthquake] Ottawa Commits $2-Million In Aid
[Harper's] Fallen-Soldier Policy Switch Blasted
[Two Thirds] Of Canadians In The Dark On Kyoto Accord
[Body Of Missing Canadian Diplomat] Discovered In Naples: Found Three Months After Disappearance
[Liberal Plan] To Cut Greenhouse Emissions Was A Dud, Researchers Say
[Equalization] Won't Hijack Premiers' Talks, Doer Vows
[Head-Tax] Compensation By July 1?
[ID Cards] Would Hinder Travel To The U.S.: Poll
[Ignatieff, Kennedy] Racking Up Early Support: Two Federal Liberal Leadership Candidates Lead Pack When It Comes To Endorsements
[CSIS Watchdog] Pressed On Torture: SIRC Is Asked To Probe Whether Agency Uses Information Extracted Through Abuse
[N.L. New Democrats] Pick A Leader
[Stephane Dion] Believes Liberals Can Be Revived In Quebec
[Greens Nix Union] With Left-Wing Quebec Party
[11 Trucks Needed] To Empty Postie Couple's Home Of Allegedly Stolen Goods
[U.S. Urges] Financial Sanctions On Iran: White House Tries To Enlist Europe, Japan
[Bush] 'Planted Fake News Stories On American TV'
[Hamas] To Establish Its Own Satellite TV Channel
Updated Monday, May 29 at 10:00 a.m.
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Updated Monday, May 29 at 10:00 a.m.
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Friday morning news
[Provinces] Won't Dictate Equalization: Harper [Editorial]
[PM Presses On] In His Feud With The News Media: Most People Just Not Interested In Stories About Reporters' Issues, Harper Says At News Conference [Editorial]
[PM Accused] Of Dishonesty On Ethics: Group Launches Formal Complaint Against Harper, Accountability Act
[Gov. Gen. Warns] Against Sensationalism In Canadian Journalism
[PM] Says Kin Were Asked, O'Connor Says Not: Were The Families Of Fallen Canadians Consulted By Ottawa On Banning The Press From Covering Their Return?
[PM's Office Issues] Keep Quiet Order: Harper Tells Tory MPs To Stay Mum On Mounties' Wedding
[Federal Government Posts] $12-billion Surplus: May 2 Conservative Budget Forecast $8-billion
[Ontario Offers] $500,000 In Aid For Caledonia [Citizens Of Caledonia]
[N.S. Premier MacDonald] Ready To Kill Kyoto
[N.B. Premier] Says Klein Making Idle Threats
[Joe Fontana] Pushed To Run For Mayor
[Guard Says Liberal Ties] Cost Him Promotion: Corrections Officer Seeks Judicial Review, Claims He Was Asked About Political Links
[Mr. Wilson] Goes To Capitol Hill: Miscues, Confusion Part Of The Agenda
[Gov. Gen. Skipping] Next Press Gallery Dinner
[Grit] Seeks To Lower Drinking, Driving Limit
[Gagliano Aide] Had No Real Training, Trial Told: Authorized More Than $500,000 In Government Payments While Trying To 'Learn On The Job'
[Charlottetown] Hells Angels Store Closed Down
[Tory Stalwart] John Reynolds Roasted At Tribute Dinner': John's Switched Parties So Often, He Gives David Emerson Advice,' B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell Quips
[Killing Tony Blair] 'Morally Justifiable', Says British MP
[Bush, Blair] Acknowledge 'Missteps' In Iraq [Transcript] [Real Video]
[Hamas] Gets Ultimatum: Palestinian President Challenges Government To Recognize Israel's Right To Exist, Or Face A Referendum On A Two-State Solution That Is Almost Guaranteed To Pass
[U.S. Treasury Secretary] To Step Down
Updated Friday, May 26 at 10:00 a.m.
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Updated Friday, May 26 at 10:00 a.m.
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Thursday morning news
[Klein Issues Warning] On Sharing The Wealth: Premier Threatens To Pull Province Out Of Revenue-Sharing Deal With Ottawa
[PM Takes Aim] At Charest Over Kyoto: PM Shoots Back At Critics, Saying Actions Are More Important Than Words On Reducing Greenhouse Gases
[PM Accuses] National Media Of Bias, Says He'll Avoid Them: Stephen Harper Says A Liberal Prime Minister Would Not Face The Same Problem [Video]
[Stephane Dion] Puts Kyoto On Grit Agenda
[MPs Had No Right] To Reject English-Only Papers, Court Told: Lawyer Accuses Panel Of Breaking The Law
[Attack On Civilians] In Afghanistan 'Unfortunate,' PM Harper Says
[Que. Health Minister Furious] Over Newspaper Ads: "Cancer Frightens You, So Should Our Health Care System"
[MPs Want Sex Trade] Review: Opposition Calls For Reform To Laws
[Harper] Keeps His Hands Off Caledonia Dispute: Subject Omitted From Address To Business Crowd
[Time Stands Still] On Parliament Hill: Peace Tower Clock Stuck At 7:28 a.m.
[Flaherty] Hits Wall Street With An Upbeat Message
[Guité Trial] Hears About Unusual Expenses: Retired Bureaucrat Tries To Persuade Jurors That The Federal Sponsorship Program He Once Headed Had The Sanction Of His Superiors
[Quebec] Seeks To Raise Its Profile Abroad: New Initiatives Are Intended To Benefit Province's Cultural And Economic Interests
[B.C. MP] To Smooth Rift With Mounties Over Death
[B.C. Ferry] Tragedy: Key Questions Persist; Citizens Remain In The Dark On Issues Of Safety And Responsibility
[Conservatives To Pay Tribute] To One Of Their Icons: Party In Vancouver For John Reynolds Becoming A Tory Good-Time Happening
[Libby Told Grand Jury] Cheney Spoke of Plame: Vice President May Be Called As Witness
[Secret Plans] To Protect Tony Blair From Terror Attack Left In Hotel
Updated Thursday, May 25 at 09:45 a.m.
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Updated Thursday, May 25 at 09:45 a.m.
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Wednesday morning news
[Charest] To Go It Alone On Kyoto Climate Accord: Quebec Premier Says Province Will Meet Its Targets Regardless Of Whether Ottawa Ultimately Pulls Out Of The International Climate-Change Deal
[Tension Finally Eases] At Native Protest: Barricade Removed, Roads Opened Amid Regret For 'Hotheads On Both Sides' [Christie Blatchford] [John Ibbitson]
[Journalists Boycott] Harper News Conference As Media Battle Heats Up
[A Dedicated] Presence In Iraq: Yes, Canada Has Troops There. "That's Been The Case Since The Beginning Of The War," The Prime Minister Says
[Ottawa Pledges] $40-million In Darfur Aid: Harper Announces Two-Pronged Approach Of Humanitarian Aid And 'Peace-Support Assistance'
[11 Candidates] Give Liberals Debate Headache: Officials Deciding How To Keep It Interesting And Not Make It Last An Entire Day
[Triumphant Sorbara] Reinstated: McGuinty Shuffles Cabinet, But Denies Aiming Reprimands At Three Ministers [Murray Campbell]
[Provinces On Board] With Tory Ethanol Initiative
[Why Are Gas Prices] 36 Cents Lower In Toronto? Vancouver 121.1; Toronto 84.9; Supply Shortage; Profit Boosting; High Vancouver Taxes [Gas May Hit $1.30]
[N.S. Poll] Points To Minority: Tories Still In Lead At 34 Per Cent, But No Breakthrough So Far
[Favouritism, Patronage] Alleged In Quebec's Mount-Orford Plan
[Finance Aides] Interfered In Agency Pick, Guité Trial Told
[Dennis Mills] Eyeing Bid To Topple Toronto Mayor
[PQ Proposes] Official Residence
[June 1] Town Hall Meeting On The Net With Halton MP Garth Turner
[Bush Talks] Israeli PM Into Meeting With Abbas: Olmert Offers No Timetable, But Said Talks Will Occur 'The Sooner The Better'
[Iran Shuts] Newspaper As Cartoon Spurs Riots
[Officials Defend Raid] On Lawmaker's Office: Amid Uproar On Capitol Hill, Gonzales Says Jefferson Search Was Done Carefully
[Don't Be Friends] With Christians or Jews, Saudi Texts Say
Updated Wednesday, May 24 at 09:30 a.m.
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Updated Wednesday, May 24 at 09:30 a.m.
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Tuesday morning news
[Ottawa Seeks Help] Finding Kyoto Alternative: Will Ask Provinces To Help Develop Plan To Boost Ethanol Production As Part Of A Made-In-Canada Way To Reduce Greenhouse Gas
[Harper Can Cruise To Majority] Poll: Building From Strength In West, Quebec, Tory Popularity At 20-Year High
[Afghan Air Strike] Complicates Canadian Mission: Bombs That Kill Afghan Villagers Will Make It Much More Difficult To Win Local Support
[Caledonia Tensions] Reach Boiling Point: Native Blockade Near Hamilton Removed, Then Put Back Up; Thousands Left In The Dark After Power Transformer Vandalized
[Tory Budget] Cut Take-Home Pay: Report
[Fiscal Imbalance: Reality] Or Just Mismanagement? Term Has Become Politically Charged, Laden To Point Where Rational Debate Over Resolving It Is Nearly Impossible
[Bush Attempts] To Quell Fears About Border ID Cards
[UN Committee] Delivers Harsh Appraisal Of Canada's Social Services
[Disarming Canadians] Is Ambassador's Job: U.S. Envoy Wilkins Makes Canny Use Of His Dixie Drawl
[PQ Demands] Action On Kyoto: Quebec Should Turn Back On Harper And Comply With Accord, Boisclair Says
[N.S. Tories] Promise Universal Drug Plan
[Illegals] Afraid To See A Doctor: Appointments Cancelled Out Of Deportation Fears; Health Workers Want Ottawa To Issue Moratorium
[Israelis Capture] West Bank Hamas Leader: Army Says Militant Masterminded Attacks That Killed 78 Israelis And Wounded Hundreds
[Bush] Says U.S. Is Set To Shift Burden After Iraq 'Turning Point': President Gives No Specifics On Drawdown
[No 10] Refuses To Release Details Of Blair's Dealings With Rupert Murdoch
[Clintons] Balance Married And Public Lives
Updated Tuesday, May 23 at 09:25 a.m.
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Monday morning news
[Kyoto Backslide] Sparks Furor: Canada Willing To Commit To Future Targets If Other Nations Do, Ambrose Asserts [Jim Stanford]
[Decisions] Lack Proper Paper Trail, Watchdogs Complain: Two Of Parliament's Independent Watchdogs Say Their Investigations Are Being Thwarted By Federal Officials
[Ind. MP Arthur] Won't Rule Out Joining Harper's Conservatives
[Caledonia] Natives Set To Remove One Blockade
[MP Unveils] Fetal Homicide Bill: Tory Could Reopen Abortion Debate
[Ottawa] Looks To Change Indian Act: Government, Aboriginal Leaders In Talks On How To Boost Accountability To Natives
[Canada Ties Afghan Aid] To Curbs On Taliban: Conditions Follow Attacks On Development Projects
[PM's Iran Remark] Angers Muslims
[Is It Harder] To Become Bilingual?
[Opposition] Used Speech As Excuse: Gwyn Morgan
[Afghan President] To Visit Canada
[Blair] Visits Iraq To Support New Prime Minister: First World Leader To Visit Iraq Since Its New Government Was Inaugurated Saturday
[Laura Bush] Travels Without 'All The Political Baggage:' First Lady Uses Her Popularity To Give A Boost To Candidates
Updated Monday, May 22 at 09:45 a.m.
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Updated Monday, May 22 at 09:45 a.m.
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24
Liberal MPs that supported the governments motion to extend Canada's mission in Afghanistan by two-years:
Larry Bagnell
Scott Brison
Roy Cullen
Rodger Cuzner
Wayne Easter
Mark Eyking
Raymonde Folco
Bill Graham
Albina Guarnieri
Michael Ignatieff
Derek Lee
John Maloney
Joe McGuire
John McKay
Jim Peterson
Karen Redman
Geoff Regan
Anthony Rota
Michael Savage
Scott Simms
Robert Thibault
Alan Tonks
Tom Wappel
Paul Zed
Updated Saturday, May 20 at 6:40 p.m.
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Friday morning news
[Howard Sings U.S.] Praises In Ottawa: Australian Leader's Laudatory Remarks Win Tory Applause, NDP, Bloc Silence [Jeffrey Simpson]
[Changes Urged] To Proposed Accountability Act: Information Commissioner Fears Bill Will Hamper Access To Government Secrets
[MPs Hunt] Gun-Registry Coverup Culprit: Commons Committee Wants To Know Who Ordered True Costs Hidden From Parliament
[Harper May Snub] Annual Press Gallery Dinner
[Amnesty For Rifle Owners] Illegal: Grit MP
[Legal Ruling Vindicates] Sorbara: Name Should Not Have Been On Warrants In Royal Group Investigation, Judge Says [Murray Campbell]
[Refugee Board Member] Frees Chinese Fugitive: Man Who China Accuses Of Being Criminal Kingpin Ordered Freed Despite Facing Deportation Next Week
[Changes Urged] Vote Divides Liberal Hawks From Doves: Leadership Camps Stake Out Differences Over Extension Of Afghan Mission [Brian Laghi] Is Harper Revealing An Achilles Heel?
[Start Date For Border ID] Plan Still Not Set, Officials Say: 17-Month Delay In Requiring High-Security Documents For Cross-Border Travel Is Far From A Certainty
[PMO Directed Work] To Firm, Jury Hears: Civil Servants Were Told To Give Business To Pollster, Former Guité Subordinate Says
[Gerard Kennedy] Resigns Seat In Ontario Legislature
[Ralph Klein Bids] An Emotional Farewell: Last Day At Legislature
[Group Challenges] Bilingualism Bylaw In Court
[Fredericton Hospital] To Stop Providing Abortions
[Opposition Calls] For Review Of Xstrata Bid: NDP Leader Wants Deal Killed Outright
[Warrantless Wiretapping] Defended: Controversial Spying Practice Is Legal, Bush Nominee For CIA Director Says
[UN Panel] Calls For U.S. To Close Guantanamo
[63-34] U.S. Senate Votes English As 'National Language'
[Lobbying Case] To Get Jury Test: After Four Guilty Pleas In Abramoff Probe, Trial Challenge Looms
Updated Friday, May 19 at 9:50 a.m.
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Thursday morning news
[Soldiers] Welcome Mission Extension
[PM's Rejected Nominee] Deplores Treatment: Opposition Attacked Personal Character, Gwyn Morgan Says [Editorial]
[Long-Gun Amnesty] Called 'Abuse Of Parliament': Ontario, Quebec And Opposition Parties Denounce Ottawa's Plan To Scrap Registry
[Hazy Timetable] On Border Measures: Possible Passport Extension To June 2009
[Reporters Won't Sign] PMO's List: Stephen Harper Abandons Planned Press Conference
[Feared] For Life, Sponsorship Whistleblower Testifies: "...the thought of having a hunting accident in my living room did not appeal to me."
[Tories Set] For Fight In Committee: "We are cutting and hacking and slashing, building a new bill," said NDP MP Pat Martin.
[PM John Howard's] New Best Friend: Stephen Harper [Op-Ed]
[McGuinty] To Take Fight Across Canada: Plans To Explain Motivation Behind Ontario's Desire To Seek A Better Deal Under Confederation
[U.S. Troops] Won't Be Sent To Canadian Border, Envoy Says
[Gun Registry Changes] Leave N.B. Jobs In Limbo
[Diplomat Offers Aid] To Family: Congolese Official Consoles Siblings After Vancouver Fire Kills Mother And Children
[Sask. Opposition] Draws Fire For Misspelling Province's Name In TV Ad
[U.S. Proposes] New Nuclear Treaty: Would Ban Production Of Nuclear Material Needed To Make Atomic Bombs
[U.S. Senate] Backs 370-Mile Fence: Immigration Bill Gaining Conservative Support
[Bill Clinton] To Write New Book About Public Service And Activism
Updated Thursday, May 18 at 09:50 a.m.
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Updated Thursday, May 18 at 09:50 a.m.
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Afghan Mission Extended
Yeas: 149
Nays: 145
MIA: Paul Martin
[Video Reaction: Harper, Graham, Layton]
Updated Wednesday, May 17 at 10:30 p.m.
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Odds & Ends
· As Parliament is set to vote on a two-year extension in Afghanistan, the Prime Minister has signalled, regardless of the outcome, he will extend the mission by one-year. So, why not call the vote what it is: A one-year extension?
· Stockwell Day commenting on Preston Manning's decision to back away from Alberta's PC race: "All I'm focussed on is our leadership here, which is Premier Stephen Harper and he's doing a great job..." [Video] [Manning News]
· Statement by National Defence on the death of Captain Nichola Kathleen Sarah Goddard. [News] [Write A Soldier]
· Happy Anniversary: 'twas a year ago today, Conservative MP Belinda Stronach crossed the floor. [Flashback]
· Taking the Fifth out of Estate: Via the Patriot Act, the FBI is legally accessing journalists phone records -- without a Judge's signature.
· 100-days: Stephen Taylor compares Stephen Harper's track record against Paul Martin's.
Updated Wednesday, May 17 at 9:50 p.m.
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Wednesday morning news
[Canada] Asked To Lead In Kabul: NATO Wants Ottawa To Assume Command Of Entire Afghan Mission Starting In 2008 [Editorial]
[Books Cooked] To Hide Gun-Registry Cost: Liberals Used Accounting Tricks To Conceal Spending, Auditor's Report Says [Highlights] [Editorial]
[MPs Grill, Reject] PM's Pick For Federal Watchdog: Harper Won't Put Forward New Name Without A Majority
[Vote] Wednesday: NDP Opposes Extending Afghan Mission; Liberals, BQ Undecided
[Tories Expected] To Weaken, Not Kill, Gun Registry
[Drug Sting] On Victoria Cop Led To Raid On Legislature
[Dingwall Details] Could Be Released, Official Suggests: Public Interest Can Trump Privacy, Information Commissioner Says
[Preston Manning] To Announce Whether He Will Run For Alta. Tories
[Humane Society] Drops Suit Against Fisheries Minister; Hearn Apologizes [Statement]
[Liberal Senator] Pushes for National Butt Ban
[Don't Be] Overwhelmed, Judge Tells Guité Jurors: Arid Technical Evidence Spurs Advice In The Fraud Trial Of Former Bureaucrat
[Native Protesters] Begin To Lift Blockade Of Ontario Highway
[Harper] Says He's Not Bound By Results Of Kyoto Vote
[Tories Nix] Whistleblower Rewards
[Rejig Equalization] To Help Poorer Provinces: Report
[Iran Rejects] European Incentives To Give Up Enrichment
[Phone Companies] Sued Over NSA Surveillance Program
Updated Wednesday, May 17 at 09:30 a.m.
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Drive-by smear
Jonathan Ross of TDH Strategies (who refers to his blog postings as "we," even though it's written by an entire company of "one") calls the Globe and Mail "Irresponsible journalism at its worst." And: "Shame on the Globe for not having the integrity…" He/we is referring to a weekend article which incorrectly identified five Liberal leadership candidates as being bilingual; It's in fact seven.
What Ross fails to mention in his diatribe is: 1.) A correction was printed on the front page of Monday's paper. 2.) An article was published Monday noting Gerard Kennedy and Maurizio Bevilacqua are in fact bilingual.
Alas, Ross seems to have picked up a trait offered by most bloggers: Offering one side of the story.
Moreover, I'm still waiting for the follow-up from this Jonathan Ross exclusive dated March 30, 2006:
"A little due diligence is going to be needed before going into specifics with the following information.
"However, let's say a current federal minister's former parliamentary aide, who has just left government to become a lobbyist, not only owns property with that minister, but also currently lives with him as a roommate.
"Would Stephen Harper then continue to say that only ministerial aides are eligible to be considered in conflict of interest?"
If Ross wanted to find out the information, he could simply file a "title search" with the appropriate province.
So, why'd he/we write it, with absolutely no follow through forty-seven days later? Same reason as his one-sided Globe story: Drive-by smear.
Updated Friday, May 12 at 11:17 a.m.
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Tuesday morning news
[Ottawa] To Debate Extension Of Afghan Mission
[Long-Gun Registry To Be Axed] Conservatives Planning Amnesty, Sources Say; Auditor-General Releases Report Tuesday On Controversy-Plagued Program
[Federal Gun Registry] Is Working, Police Say: Firearms List Checked 5,000 Times A Day By Officers In Course Of Routine Duties
[Opposition Parties] To Force Tories To Meet Kyoto Targets: Will Join Forces Tuesday To Pass A Motion Aimed At Embarrassing Conservative Position On Climate Change Pact
[Rona Ambrose] Lacks Credibility: Rather Than Embarrass Canada, Environment Minister Should Stay Away From UN Meeting On Climate Change
[Price Tag] For Turfing Ethics Boss May Hit $1-Million
[U.S. Troops] On The Canadian Border? Well, Maybe
[Queen's Park] And Flaherty $7-Billion Apart: Ontario Finance Minister Asks His Federal Counterpart For A Face-To-Face Meeting To Resolve Discrepancies
[NDP] 'Death Of Our Economy:' N.S. Premier Comes Out Swinging Against Rival
[Guité] Links PMO Official To Scandal: Chrétien Aide Responsible For Overseeing Disputed Advertising Contracts, Jury Told
[Not Free] Trade, But Not Bad, Says Emerson: U.S.-Canada Lumber Settlement Is As Good As It Gets, Trade Minister Feels
[Tories Black Out] Details Of Dingwall Resignation: Hundreds Of Pages Of Official Documents Censored
[In Haiti, G-G Jean] Speaks Of Hope Over Adversity
[Anti-Emerson] Protesters, Some Flags And A 'Tripping Hazard'
[Tories Cancel] EnerGuide Program
[Military To Defend] U.S.-Mexican Border: Bush Sending 6,000 National Guard Troops To Stem Flow Of Illegal Immigrants
[CIA Nominee] Defends Phone-Data Mining: White House Seemed Unfazed By Accusations That It Was Riding Roughshod Over Citizens' Constitutional Rights
[Rove v. Reality] The Country Isn't Buying President Bush's Message On The Economy Or The War. Even Karl Rove Knows It
[D'OH!] CNN Airs Portion Of President's Rehearsal Speech
Updated Tuesday, May 16 at 08:40 a.m.
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Updated Tuesday, May 16 at 08:40 a.m.
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Monday morning news
[Bush] To Deploy Guardsmen To Mexican Border
[Two In Three] Canadians Want To Keep Gun Registry, Poll Finds
[Not Sorry] For Media Clampdown: PM's Spokeswoman Defends Policies At Journalism Gathering
[Feds Eye] New Hand On Foreign Ownership: Ottawa Plans To Broaden Its Power To Reject Foreign Takeovers Of Canadian Companies
[Indian Affairs Minister] Pressed To Adopt Controversial Policy: Native Bands Would Have To Adopt Minimum Standards Of Accountability, Such As Holding Regular Elections And Publishing Financial Records
[More Refugees] Sneaking Into Canada: Harvard Study [Real Audio]
[Canada] Urges UN To Go To Darfur
[Conservative Climate Strategy] Said To Be Inspired By U.S. Communications Expert Frank Luntz
[Bevilacqua, Kennedy] Given Passing Grade After All: While Candidates Would Get Certification, Some Could Falter In Debates, Expert Says
[G-G Jean] Brings Ray Of Hope To Haiti: One-Time Refugee Returns On Red Carpet At Swearing-In Of President
[MacDonald] Hopes To Gain Tory Majority: Nova Scotia Election Called For June 13, Polls Give Conservatives 40 Per Cent Support
[Norman Spector] There's A Flaw In Mr. Harper's Plan For Canada
[Bringing The World] To Alberta: 'Populist' Liberal MLA Attracting Attention By Challenging Voters To Think Globally
[Political Tensions] To Keep Oil Prices High: Qatar Minister
[Russia And U.S.] Trade Angry Words Over Iran
[Divide Is Sharpening] Among Republicans: Senate Compromises Irk House GOP
Updated Monday, May 15 at 09:52 a.m.
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Week In Review
· Republican strategist Frank Luntz advising Tories at Civitas: "I want you to leave here committed to insisting that the Conservative government hold that previous Liberal government accountable, that you do oversight, that you do investigation, that you continue doing it for the next year so that every Canadian knows and will never forget and will never allow another government to steal more from them."
Leak the Auditor General's gun registry report: Check.
Muse out loud about suing the Liberal party over AdScam: Check.
Claim a reporter (who was doing her job) violated "certain principles." Check. Double-check. [Civitas transcript]
· With all the hubbub in the blogosphere over Bob Rae's Munich / softwood analogy, only one blog actually carried the transcribed comments; the rest weighed in without context.
· Fresh from the hypocrisy file: Scott Brison, who stood in the House of Commons and voted against Kyoto — is calling on Environment Minister Rona Ambrose to resign from the international steering committee on Kyoto.
· Impotency at the UN: New Human Rights Council includes China, Cuba, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan.
· Poll overload: SES, Leger, Ipsos, Decima and the Strategic Counsel all get in the act.
Updated Saturday, May 13 at 11:00 p.m.
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Friday morning news
[Ottawa] Wants Kyoto Softened: In Report To UN, Tories Argue Second Phase Of Climate Pact Should Be More Lenient
[B.C.'s Solicitor-General] Chastises NDP MP Over Police Shooting Comments
[Harper Won't Send Soldiers] To Darfur: But Canada Will Help Peace Mission
[$273-Million Contract] Proves Gun Registry's True Costs Hidden From Gov't, Tory MP Charges: Party Sees Tuesday's Audit As More Ammunition
[Tories Use Leak] From Auditor's Report To Boost Campaign Against Gun Registry [Fraser 'Upset' With Leak Of Audit
[PM] Considers Legal Action Over Adscam Funds
[PQ Urged] To Back Off Plan To Hold Referendum: Top Quebec Separatists Sign Manifesto Arguing For A New Type Of Federalism
[Two Anti-Abortion MPs] Speak Out: Liberal Steckle And Tory Vellacott Link Procedure To Breast Cancer
[Terrorist Status] For Hells Angels? Notorious Biker Gang A Domestic Security Threat, Ottawa Grit MP Says
[Minister's 'Terrifying'] Truth: Five-Year Battle With "Party Drugs"
[Harper's Star Appointee] Faces Grilling At Hearing: Opposition Plans Rough Ride For Ex-CEO Who Will Oversee Public Appointments
[Integrity Commissioner] Criticizes Cash For Whistleblowers
[N.S. Premier] Poised For June Vote: Election Announcement "Matter Of Hours Now," Tory Source Says
[N.B. Liberals, Tories] Call Temporary Truce In Legislature: Two Government House Leaders Agree To Continue Negotiations Next Week
[Costs Run High] For Caledonia Protesters [Citizens Of Caledonia]
[Harper] Expected To Make Foreign Adoptions Easier
[Body-Search] Diplomat Gets Undignified Welcome To Canada
[Op-Ed: Premier McGuinty] A Strong Ontario Makes For A Strong Canada
[Weapons-grade uranium] Reported In Iran
[Tracking Of Calls] Sparks Furor In U.S.: Phone Companies Gave Data To NSA
[Democrats] Won't Try To Impeach President
Updated Friday, May 12 at 09:35 a.m.
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Lost & Found
Since April 5th, Gerard Kennedy's been MIA from Queen's Park, all-the-while collecting his government salary of $88,771. He's been gone so long; the opposition Tories issued a wanted poster Wednesday: "If you know the whereabouts of this missing in action member, call: the Premier's office: 416-325-1941. He was last seen in Ottawa at noon on April 27."
Fear not, Kennedy surfaced this morning in Halifax — announcing he'll be resigning his Parkdale-High Park seat by the end of next week, to focus exclusively on the Liberal leadership race (which he's been doing since April 5th).
In other Parkdale-High Park news, with Kennedy's vacancy — could this mark the return of recently dethroned Sam Bulte?
Updated Thursday, May 11 at 2:41 p.m.
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Thursday morning news
[Government May Sue Liberals] For Sponsorship Funds: Report
[PM] Keeps Door Open On Mission To Darfur: Message At Odds With Defence Minister's
[Super-Spies] New Agency Or CSIS? Canada Needs More Foreign Intelligence, Day Says, And He's Looking For Expert Views
[Liberals Hid Gun Registry Costs] Report: Auditor General To Reveal Huge Expenses Were Buried In Routine Reports For Several Years
[Rona Ambrose] Urged To Resign Post At Climate Talks
[Tories Scrap] Liberals' Goal Of 300,000 Immigrants: Backlog In System Must Be Fixed First, Solberg Says
[Afghan Mission] Could Grow, MacKay Says: Despite Progress, Longer Deployment And More Soldiers Could Be Needed
[Inquiry From Globe] Set Off Federal 'Crisis,' Ad Trial Told: Scramble To Meet Newspaper's Request Revealed $500,000 Report Was Missing
[McGuinty] Pleads For Patience As Land Dispute Drags On
[Ralph Klein] Thanks His Wife And Father In His Last Major Alberta Speech
[Flaherty Promises] To Honour Ontario Accord
[Turkey] Tried To Head Off PM's Verdict On 'Genocide
[Liberal MPs] Prefer Ignatieff, Kennedy In Leadership Race So Far
[NSA] Has Massive Database Of Americans' Phone Calls
[Bush, GOP Congress] Losing Core Supporters: Conservatives Point To Spending, Immigration
[A 3rd] President Bush? First 2 All for It
Updated Thursday, May 11 at 09:34 a.m.
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Guess who's replacing Vellacott
Conservative MP Maurice Vellacott, who incorrectly rephrased Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin's comments, has resigned as chair of the House aboriginal affairs committee. In his plus 1,100-word statement, Vellacott blames the Liberals for "bitter partisanship" as the root cause of his departure. Conspicuously absent: an apology.
Regardless of the rationale, Vellacott jumped before he was pushed: all three opposition parties were set to vote in favour of a no-confidence motion Wednesday afternoon.
Velacott's replacement is Colin Mayes, a Tory MP who was forced by the PMO to issue a retraction for suggesting bad journalists be jailed.
Updated Wednesday, May 10 at 5:50 p.m.
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Wednesday morning news
[PM's Spring Cleanup] Casts Pall Over Ottawa
[Attack On Judiciary] Shatters Strategic Silence [Editorial]
[Tory Darfur Stance] Contradicts Military: Forces Told Liberal Government Last Year That Troops Were Available For Peacekeeping Mission To Sudan
[Al Qaeda] Attack On Canada 'Probable': CSIS
[Ontario Minister Fears] Harper Reneging On Funds
[Tories Paying $624-Million] For Property That Sold For $30-Million, Fumes NDPer
[Cabinet Minister] Suggests MPs Should Pay For Own Sports Tickets
[Tax Would Aid] Mental Health System: A Nickel A Drink Could Pay For Better Care And Housing For Sufferers, Senators Say
[Angry Turks] Withdraw From Canadian Military Exercise
[Malik] Says He'll Talk At Air India Inquiry [Real Video] [Quicktime]
[We Support] You, MacKay Tells Troops: Foreign Minister Vows To 'Finish What We Started,' Rejects Poll Showing Opposition To Mission
[PM Urged] To Support Official Bilingualism
[Quebec-West Alliance] Touted By Mario Dumont
[Energy Rebate] Offered To Voters In Nova Scotia: Election Call Expected To Follow Tory Budget
[Chuck Guité] Gave Contract Without OK, Court Told
[Race To Lead Green Party] Heats Up: Veteran Activist May Makes It Official
[U.S., Allies] Agree On Limited Aid For Palestinians
[Poll] Gives Bush His Worst Marks Yet
[Presidential Plans] Found In Trash [Video] [PDF / Edited Details]
Updated Wednesday, May 10 at 09:27 a.m.
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Vellacott's chair
Conservative MP Maurice Vellacott is set to lose his Chairmanship of the House aboriginal affairs committee. Wednesday, all three opposition parties will vote in favour of a no-confidence motion, stemming from the MP's weekend remarks regarding Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin.
Vellacott's extra duties, which comes with added pay of $10,500 per year, was never meant to be: Aside from his 'charged past on native issues,' Vellacott revealed Prime Minister Harper's plans to nominate committee chairs — a move which not only contradicted Harper's previous positions; it caused dissent within the Conservative party.
The PMO immediately issued talking points to Tory MP's on how best to deal with committee chair situation, but the move caused more harm than good: the confidential memo was leaked to the Globe and Mail.
Updated Tuesday, May 09 at 5:11 p.m.
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Tuesday morning news
[Army] Stretched Too Thin For Darfur, O'Connor Says
[MacKay] In Afghanistan For Surprise Two-Day Visit
[No Constitutional] Talks, Quebec Tories Tell Bloc
[Conservatives Examining] Staggered Elections, New Age Limits For Senate
[Conservative MP's] Accepting Hockey Perks, Despite Harper's Former Criticisms
[Turks Recall] Envoy Over Harper's Remark
[Harper] Defends Support For John Tory: Brushes Off Attack In Commons Over McGuinty Snub Controversy
[NDP] Suggests 2010 Olympics $100-Million Over Budget
[MP's] Remarks Unfounded, Supreme Court Says
[Commons Back NORAD] Pact 257-30
[N.S. Budget Day] Tax Break On Heating Fuel Likely: Tories To Remove Province's 8% Share Of HST, Source Says
[Witness] Testifies About Guité's Ties To Chrétien's Friend
[Air-India] Families Pushed For Special Terrorist Trials
[Gerard Kennedy] Should Quit Seat In Ontario, Critics Say
[Nfld. Liberal Leader] Steps Down
[President] Of Action Democratique Du Quebec Apologizes Over Gay Remarks
[U.S.] Scoffs At Missive From Iran: Mercurial Leader's Surprise Letter To Bush Fails To Address Nuclear Dispute, Rice Says
[Tony Blair] I'll Quit Next Year - Trust Me
[CIA Official] Quits; FBI Probes Role In Defense Contracts
Updated Tuesday, May 09 at 09:15 a.m.
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Updated Tuesday, May 09 at 09:15 a.m.
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Monday morning news
[Ottawa Considering] Special Terror Trials: Broad Mandate Of Air-India Commission Includes Weighing Use Of Three-Judge Panels
[Quebecers Yearn] For Lucien Bouchard, Poll Finds: Charest, Dumont And Boisclair Fail To Inspire Broad Support
[Access Commissioner's] Scathing Report Appears Set For Bumpy Ride In Commons Committee
[Tory MP Eats Crow] After Ruffling Judicial Feathers [Real Video] [Quicktime]
[Take Lead In] Darfur, Layton Urges Canada: May Mean Scaling Back In Afghanistan
[MPs Offer] To Pay Bail For Mother
[Dig Up Dirt] On Liberals, U.S. Pollster Advises Tory Group
[Government Contracts] Bound By 'Too Many Rules:' Fortier
[ADQ's Dumont] Calls For Constitutional Talks
[Liberals Ponder] Role In Afghanistan
[Caledonia] David Peterson Optimistic, But Natives Erect New Barrier
[Margaret Trudeau] Opens Up About Another Illness: Ex-PM's Wife Developed Eating Disorder After Death Of Son In Avalanche 8 Years Ago
[Census] Faces Attack From Blog Rumours
[Iranian President] Writes To Bush
[Bush] Speaks of Closing Guantánamo Prison
[Bush] Picks General To Lead CIA
Updated Monday, May 08 at 10:00 a.m.
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Updated Monday, May 08 at 10:00 a.m.
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Now you see it, now you don't
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) attempted to pull a feat normally left to magicians: making something disappear. Wednesday, the organization that's dedicated to "lower taxes, less waste and accountable government" hosted a picture of Che Guevara in a post entitled "Che stood up for the little guy." Notables of unattributed text included: "The famous Kristallnacht that horrified civilized opinion worldwide caused a grand total of 71 deaths. This in a nation of 70 million." By Friday, Guevara and the accompanying post was missing in action from the CTF blog — with no explanation whatsoever. Unfortunately, for the would-be magicians, you can't cover up your steps on the internet. [CTF Blog]
Updated Friday, May 05 at 5:46 p.m.
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Friday morning news
[Crackdown] Takes Aim At Guns, Sentencing: Tories Want Mandatory Minimums Imposed And House Arrest Eliminated In Certain Cases [Jeffrey Simpson] [Editorial]
[PM Lauds] Charest, But Not Mcguinty [Roy MacGregor]
[Saskatchewan] Warns Of Risk To Justice System: More Natives Will Be Jailed, Minister Fears
[Emerson] Flew 8 Bureaucrats To Vancouver At $27,000 Cost: Opposition Says Minister, Facing Crisis, Didn't Want To Be Seen In Public
[Ottawa Pulls Pollution] Funds For Ontario: Millions Pledged By Liberals Off The Table
[Wives] In Tears: Emotions Erupted When Gov. Gen. Jean Asked Military Women About Media Ban
[Canada Should Welcome] U.S. Deserters, Layton Says
[U.S. Humane Society] Serves Libel Notice On Canadian Fisheries Minister Over Seal Hunt
[Paul Martin] Emerges To Assail Tories On Child Care [Hansard]
[Rat Pack, The Sequel] Liberals Look Back To The Future For Higher Profile In Commons
[$1,000] Government Informant Reward Likely To Fall
[#11] Fry Joins Race To Lead Federal Liberals
[List Of Jurors] Finalized For Guité Fraud Trial
[N.S. Throne Speech] Promises Lower Taxes
[U.S. Warns Russia] To Act More Like A Democracy
[Tony Blair] Shuffles Cabinet [Overview]
Updated Friday, May 05 at 09:17 a.m.
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Updated Friday, May 05 at 09:17 a.m.
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Remainders: International edition
ּ Friday, Prime Minister Harper is expected to announce a semi-formal role for Quebec at UNESCO.
ּ Heckled: Donald Rumsfeld. [News]
ּ Abu Musab al-Zarqawi: Terrorist with American tennis shoes.
Updated Thursday, May 04 at 11:42 p.m.
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In quotes
[Prime Minister Harper] "Toronto these days seems to be the place for Liberal leadership candidates. Why I asked the cabbie who drove me here today who would he support. He said he's running himself.
"But it's not all Torontonians — Scott Brison is running, and he's not from Toronto, although he did blackberry in his applications to the Toronto financial community. It's now been reviewed by the RCMP."
Updated Thursday, May 04 at 11:42 p.m.
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Political capital: two-way race for second place
2006 Quarterly Contributions
Conservatives: $5,578,233.89
Liberal: $1,332,366.16
NDP: $1,148,960.76
Updated Thursday, May 04 at 11:42 p.m.
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Odds & Ends
ּ Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett's 'beer and popcorn' moment on CTV's Mike Duffy Live: "There's actually no plan for early learning and child care spaces. So it's a good job they're putting more money for prisons in the budget, because we're going to need them if we don't get this early childhood right."
ּ One notable from the recently completed Zacarias Moussaoui trial: FBI Agent Harry Samit warned the FBI 70 times about Moussaoui prior to September 11, 2001. Samit's superiors finally granted him approval to apply for a special warrant -- hours after America was attacked.
ּ Jack Layton comments on Statistics Canada outsourcing a portion of the 2006 Census to American-owned Lockheed Martin. Meanwhile, Vive le Canada has organized a boycott.
ּ Steve Janke, the sleuth of all sleuths, is hot on the trail of the GO Transit hacker.
ּ $400 — $600: The amount retired Justice John Major will receive for each hour he works on the Air-India inquiry.
Updated Thursday, May 04 at 1:41 p.m.
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Thursday morning news
[Budget] Puts Provinces At Odds: Quebec Heaps Praise On Harper's Fiscal Plan As Ontario Rejects Equalization Proposal
[Tax Cuts] A Study In Tory Contrasts [Budget] Won't Stoke Economy: David Dodge
[Moussaoui] Avoids Execution: Jury Sentences 9/11 Conspirator To Life, Saying He Had A Minor Role
[PM Dares] Liberals To Block Plan In Senate: Party Just Grandstanding In House, Harper Says Of Opposition To Budget
[Tories To Introduce] Tough-On-Crime Agenda: First Law To Increase Jail Time For Drug, Gang, Gun Offences
[Senior Tobacco Exec ] Won't Go To Jail In Massive Fraud Case: Government Defrauded In Excess Of $1-Billion In Taxes [Real Audio] [Quicktime]
[Quebec Going Ahead] With Privatization Of Park [Loyalty Issue For Charest]
[Legalize] Marijuana: Conservative Senator
[Conservatives Eye] B.C. Voters In Touting Budget
[Op-Ed: Scott Reid] Five Priorities For The Liberal Party
[Gordon O'Connor Denies] Rift With Hillier Delaying Military Purchases
[Alberta Pays] $8K Rent A Month For Washington Envoy
[N.B. Premier] Delays Trip To Protect Speakers Job: Non-confidence Motion In The Speaker Is To Be Voted On Next Thursday
[Hedy Days Ahead] As Fry Makes Play In Liberal Leadership
[Denis Coderre] Won't Join Leadership Contest: Says Next Liberal Leader Will Be From Outside Quebec
[N.S.] To Regulate Gas Prices Along PEI Model [Mixed Reaction]
[Dick Cheney] Says Putin Restricting Rights
[Palestinian PM] Blames U.S. For Lack Of Money
[Leak: Valerie Plame] Shopping Book Proposal [New York Times]
Updated Thursday, May 04 at 09:45 a.m.
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Updated Thursday, May 04 at 09:45 a.m.
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Wednesday morning news
[Harper Hands Middle-Class Voters] A Plethora Of Benefits [Analysis] [Highlights] [Provinces] [Winners / Losers] [Your Bottom Line] [Jeffrey Simpson] [Editorial]
[N.B. Premier] Under Investigation For Privacy Breach Complaint
[Public Servants] Fear Spending Review Will Mean Job Cuts: 'We know the axe will fall'
[Efforts To Chill Out Alberta] Rile McGuinty: Central Bank Measures, Rising Dollar Taking Toll On Ontario, Premier To Tell PM
[Denis Coderre] Expected To Forgo Leadership Run
[Mario Dumont] Sovereigntists Lose With Federal Budget [Real Audio]
[Potential Jurors] Line Up To Serve On Guite Fraud Trial
[N.S.] Will Begin Using Ankle Bracelets To Monitor Criminals
[Toronto Councilor] Admits To Drunken Tirade At Hockey Game: "Do you want your little wife to go over to Iran and get raped and shot?" [Video] [John Barber]
[A Political Wife] Succumbs To Cancer
[B.C.'s Auditor] Delivers Final Report On Reforms
[Iran] Enriches Uranium To Upper End Of Level Needed For Reactors
[Mediators] Reportedly Preparing New Darfur Plan
[Al-Qaeda] Leader's Capture In Pakistan In '05 Revealed
[After Press] Dinner, The Blogosphere Is Alive With the Sound Of Colbert Chatter
[U.S. District Attorney] Has Advice For Canada: Don't Emulate U.S. Drug Laws
[Hole In One] For BC Woman, 95
Updated Wednesday, May 03 at 09:22 a.m.
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Budget 2006: Day 100
[News] [Highlights] [Interactive] [Speech] [Budget] [Webcast]
GST: 6% on Canada Day.
Military: $5.3-billion over 5-years; $1.1-billion over 2-years. No mention of 'Afghanistan' in any of the budget's 315-pages.
Child Care: For each child under six, $100 per month starting July 4.
Credits: Tax credits for textbooks, physical fitness and work expenses.
Security: $2.5-billion over two years, including $161-million to hire / train 1,000 RCMP officers.
Health: No new money for one of the Conservatives' top five priorities, the patient wait times guarantee. CTV's Robert Fife: "Conservatives believe health care is already well funded -- it just needs to be reformed."
Provinces: Proposals in fall 2006 and new monies for the 2007 budget. Conservatives define fiscal imbalance: "For this government, fiscal balance means that the federal government and the provincial governments have to be able to focus on their core responsibilities."
Business: Federal capital tax eliminated. New tax credits, grants and deductions. Perrin Beatty, CEO the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters: "This is encouraging — a better budget for business than we have seen in the last five years." [Video: Stars & Dogs]
Cities: 15.5% tax credit for public transit users (on monthly passes), $1.3-billion for public transit and $600-million for aboriginal housing. [Much More]
Sin Taxes: Cigarettes, beer, spirits and wine subjected to minor increases.
Spending: 2006 up 5.3% to $189-billion, 2007 up 4.1% to $196-billion. Liberal increases were 8% averaged over five-years.
Arts: Canada Council funding increased by $50-million over 2-years. Status quo for the CBC.
Fine Print: $8-billion surplus. $3-billion for debt reduction.
Not Honoured: "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." — September 20, 2005.
Reaction
ּ Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe appearing on CTV: "We're supporting it from one main reason, one important reason, it is a firm intention to address the question of the fiscal imbalance." [CBC Video] [CTV Video]
ּ Jack Layton's NDP will not be supporting the budget: "We were very clear on what we wanted to see in this budget: the priorities of working families finally addressed. We're very disappointed that we aren't seeing that here." [CBC Video] [CTV Video]
ּ Liberal leader Bill Graham appearing on CTV: "It's a budget I'm very comfortable opposing." [Liberal Statement] [CBC Video] [CTV Video]
ּ The middle class angle: Conservative MP Garth Turner is 'impressed'
ּ John Williamson, Canadian Taxpayers Federation: "The bottom line for average taxpayers is a net benefit in 2006 and larger tax savings in 2007."
ּ Premier Ralph Klein on the cancellation of the Kelowna Accord: "I don't particularly like it, nor do the other premiers and territorial leaders," Klein said. "I liked the commitment that was given by the Liberal government to the First Nations and the Metis people."
ּ Canadian Dollar: "There are other factors right now that are more important, but this budget has done nothing to derail the positive sentiment towards the Canadian dollar," said George Davis, chief foreign exchange technical analyst at Royal Bank of Canada.
ּ Sherry Cooper, chief economist for BMO Nesbitt Burns: "In general, though, I applaud the budget."
ּ Dale Marshall, the David Suzuki Foundation: "Prime Minister Harper has dismantled the only climate change plan our country had and replaced it with subsidized transit passes that will do little to fight air pollution or convince people to leave their cars at home. It's completely irresponsible."
ּ PSAC National President Nycole Turmel: "In addition to tax cuts, particularly the many corporate tax cuts contained in the budget, the Conservatives are slowing government spending at a time when the economy is growing."
[Additional Quotes]
International Headlines
ּ Bloomberg Flaherty Pledges To Resolve Canada's Funding Gap With Provinces
ּ Washington Post Canada Alters Course on Kyoto: Budget Slashes Funding Devoted to Goals of Emissions Pact
ּ Financial Times Conservatives Focus On Tax Cuts For Canadians
ּ Associated Press Canada's Budget to Offer Broad Tax Cuts
ּ AFP Canada's Finance Minister Unveils Big Tax Cuts, Boosts Military Spending
Updated Tuesday, May 02 at 11:59 p.m.
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Survey says
[Quebec]
Tories 34%
Bloc 31%
Grits 15%
NDP 13%
Undecided 11%
Updated Tuesday, May 02 at 3:25 p.m.
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Tuesday morning news
[Inquiry Marks Victory] For Air-India Families [Chronology]
[Expect Big Tax Relief] In Budget [John Ibbitson] [Jeffrey Simspon]
[PM Sought 2-Year] NDP Pact: Fledgling Tory Government Offered Deal, But Layton's Party Rejected Pitch Fearing 'Political Suicide'
[MPs Debate] Doing More In Darfur: But MacKay Gives No Assurance That Ottawa Will Push For A UN-Led Force [Debate Video: Part One] [Part Two]
[Pupils Held] In Asylum Case Spark Review: Stockwell Day Says It Is Not Government Policy To Use Children As Bait [Video]
[$250,000] Ottawa Doubles Benefits To Families Of Four Slain Soldiers
[N.B. Liberals] Call For Fall Election And New Speaker: If Government Agrees, Grits Say They Will End Gridlock In House And Pass Budget
[Vancouver Mayor] Tells Police Why He Bought Drugs For Illegal Users: Official Statement Blames Opponents For Controversy That Led To Investigation
[Maurcie Vellacott] Wins Aboriginal Affairs Committee Chairmanship: MP Spoke Up For Officers Convicted Of Abandoning Man In -25 Cold
[Critics Decry] Delay In Gay-Marriage Vote
[Jury Selection] To Begin Tuesday In Guité Fraud Trial
[Israeli] Army Chief: World Has Military Means To Stop Iran's Nuclear Program
[Iran] Says Russia And China Will Not Back Sanctions
[Lou Dobbs] Radical Groups Taking Control Of Immigrant Movement [The Day's Impact On Economy Unclear]
[Silvio Berlusconi] Hands In Resignation To Italian President
Updated Tuesday, May 02 at 09:05 a.m.
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Monday leftovers
ּ "Hedy, Hedy, Hedy" That's the sound you'll be hearing Thursday, when Hedy Fry dives into the Grit race. Unfortunately, for Fry, the chants well be coming from both the Conservatives and NDP, who'll be hoping and praying the MP from Vancouver makes it all the way to Stornoway.
ּ MP Garth Turner, Monday morning: "My plan is to spend a few hours studying the (budget) document prior to its release, since I have requested admission to the lock-up that always occurs in advance." Not so fast, Mr. Turner. Late word out of Ottawa: The Conservative government is requesting Tory MPs not attend the lockup. Perhaps, finance minister Flaherty would like to inform Canadians what this budget means to them, rather than a certain gadfly MP.
Will Turner break the lockup ban? Or will a scathing blog post follow? More as it becomes available.
Update Door number one: "And, by the way, don't worry that the government decided this afternoon to ban Conservatives MPs from going into a budget lockup. I made a promise. I will deliver."
Happy Anniversary
ּ May 1, 2003: Mission Accomplished [Poll]
Updated Monday, May 01 at 11:35 p.m.
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Hackers, Harper, trains & babies
GO Transit's Edmund Shea explained the "Stephen Harper Eats Babies" LED message to me as follows: "This was electronic vandalism. We assume it was a hacker and we apologize if anyone was offended, including the Prime Minister."
One passenger car was affected between Thursday and Friday; three Monday morning. As for future assaults, Exclusive Advertising (EA), the company responsible for advertising aboard the GTA's GO Train's, has disabled the signs and will be implementing a 'password protected solution.'
According to EA, the hacker obtained a wireless remote which allowed the signs to be modified within a distance of six-feet.
Updated Monday, May 01 at 2:54 p.m.
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Monday morning news
[Flaherty Shops For] Sensible Shoes: Finance Minister Goes Looking For 'Decent Quality' At 'Moderate Cost,' Traits He Wants The Budget To Reflect [Native Leaders Face A $5.1-Billion Question]
[House Could Sit] Into July To Pass Federal Accountability Act: Tories
[PSAC Braces For Battle] With Harper Tories: Federal Workers Fear Conservatives Are Set To Dismantle Social Services
[Flag Issue] Spills Into Soldiers Funerals: Mourners Divided Over New Policies
[Famous Five] Follow-Up: Tories Plan New Fall Priorities With Environment At Top
[MPs To Debate] About Darfur [Darfur News] [Lysiane Gagnon On Take-Note Debates]
[PM Harper] Addresses Large Tory 'Family' In Moncton: Similar Number Of Protestors Demonstrated Outside Party Fundraiser
[U.S. Eavesdropping] Row Stirs Questions In Canada
[Public Daycare] Helps Fuel Quebec Work Force: Child-Care System Is Enabling Women To Join Job Market, Study Finds
[Liberals Support] Expanding NORAD To Coastal Defence
[Bureaucrats] Must Be Reminded To Speak French On The Job: Federal Contract
[David Peterson] Called In To Help Solve Land Conflict
[Grits Will Oppose] Budget Tax Increases: Graham [Video]
[New Manitoba Tory Leader] Aims To Unite Party
[U.S. Military Website] Posting Salutes Canada [Thanks, Canada]
[U.S. Immigrants, Allies] Plan Nationwide Boycott
[Ashley MacIsaac] Says Running For Leadership Will Be Valuable Lesson, Win Or Lose
[Political Pranksters] Using Wikipedia To Smear Opponents
[Five Months After] Its Debut, YouTube Is A Star: Online Video Site Could Help Create Old-Media Celebs, Too
Updated Monday, May 01 at 08:51 a.m.
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Posted at Thursday, June 01, 2006 EDT 
