New Title, Same Job The much-hyped Cabinet shuffle was about what you’d expect: retiring Ministers swept aside, talented backbenchers and Pierre Poilievre promoted, and a few big names swapping portfolios to give them a fresh start. The opposition will argue this is very much the same government as before, and
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Calgary Grit: Politicians in Cowboy Hats: Come Hell or High Water
For a brief history of Stampede fashion, you can read the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 round-ups – or last year’s “100 Years of Bad Photo-Ops“ Flood waters cannot stop the Stampede and flood waters cannot stop politicians from the annual ritual of self humiliation known as the
Continue readingCalgary Grit: Canada Day Quiz
We all know him as “Justin Trudeau’s father” today, but there was a time when Pierre was just a lowly Justice Minister, needing 4 ballots to win the party’s leadership. Test your political skills with this 10-question quiz about the present – and the past – of Canadian politics. 1.
Continue readingCalgary Grit: Calgary Under Water
My thoughts are with Calgary today in what is, by far, the worst flood to strike the City I can ever remember. Anyone in town should avoid the downtown and other affected areas. Information on evacuation zones and road closures can be found here.
Continue readingCalgary Grit: Bob Rae Steps Down
This shouldn’t come as a huge surprise, but Bob Rae is resigning as an MP. I wrote my praises of Rae’s career and time as interim leader back in April so I won’t rehash them here. Although he never fullfilled his dream of becoming Liberal Party (permanent) leader, if there
Continue readingCalgary Grit: As Easy As 1-2-3
Something good happened at Toronto City Hall this week. I know, I know. I’m as surprised as you are. Councillors vote to seek end of ‘first past the post’ system in city elections Toronto city council took a significant step on Tuesday towards dramatically changing how the city elects its
Continue readingCalgary Grit: Open Mic With Stephen Harper
A two year old video showing Stephen Harper doing fairly solid Diefenbaker, Clark, Mulroney, and Manning impressions surfaces. Not a bad time for a distraction, eh?
Continue readingCalgary Grit: After Miracle Victory in 2010, Nenshi Almost Unbeatable in 2013
Nenshi could come out as an Argos fan and still win the next election in a cakewalk. I expect this will be my only blog post on the 2013 Calgary Mayoral election. That’s because, despite recent rumblings about a bid by talk radio titan Dave Rutherford, Naheed Nenshi appears to
Continue readingCalgary Grit: “I fear we have morphed into what we once mocked”
After quitting the Tory caucus, MP Brent Rathgeber pens one of the most devastating and pointed critiques of the Harper government I have ever seen. One is left wondering how many others in the Conservative base feel the same way. I STAND ALONE Late last night I notified the Board
Continue readingCalgary Grit: Great Moments in Spin
I can’t wait to see the tourism brochures: Toronto mayor Rob Ford is still dodging allegations that he smoked crack cocaine, but now he seems to think there’s a silver lining to the international attention brought upon his city by the scandal over his (alleged!) drug use: tourism dollars. At
Continue readingCalgary Grit: Marco Rubio Attacks Marco Rubio’s Flawed Immigration Bill
Republican Presidential candidates have a habit of bursting into flames, and Marco Rubio is looking mighty flammable these days. Marco Rubio indicates he won’t vote for own immigration bill without changes In an interview on Hugh Hewitt’s radio show on Tuesday night, Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio indicated that he
Continue readingCalgary Grit: I Approve This Bill
Like Michael Chong’s QP reforms, which died in parliamentary purgatory, this is a worthwhile bill by Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux, albeit one unlikely to ever see the light of day: Kevin Lamoureux, a Liberal MP from Winnipeg, wants all political party leaders to be forced to stand by the content
Continue readingCalgary Grit: The man still looks better than Stockwell Day in a wetsuit
Not bad for 79!
Continue readingCalgary Grit: Cone of Silence
Rob Ford and Stephen Harper are about as different as two politicians can be, but the one thing they have in common is an uncanny ability to brush off scandals before they stick. Harper entered the 2011 election facing a “controversy of the day” – from Bev Oda’s orange juice,
Continue readingCalgary Grit: Chickening Out On Change
“Well this is awkward” We’ve been reminded this week that an 8-point lead in the dying days of an election campaign is about as safe as a 2-goal lead in the final 90 seconds of a playoff hockey game. Never take anything for granted. Despite leading by between 2 to
Continue readingCalgary Grit: Great Moments in Spin
The Onion Conservative Party reacts to their by-election defeat moral victory: As we know, majority governments do not usually win by-elections. In fact, Liberals have won the riding of Labrador in every election in history except for two, so we are not surprised with these results. What is surprising is
Continue readingCalgary Grit: There’s Always Money in the Banana Stand
Stephen Harper has made a huge mistake. I’m not sure if Tom Mulcair has what it takes to be PM, but he’d make a fine Mr. Manager: NDP leader Tom Mulcair was wondering where $3.1 billion in unaccounted anti-terrorism spending went when he uttered this gem: “So the question is,
Continue readingCalgary Grit: Canada has always been at war with Eurasia
RB Bennett was one of Canada’s most popular Prime Ministers, to the point where average Canadians would name their buggies after him. We found out last week that the Harper Conservatives will be leading a review of the way Canadian history is taught in schools. We don’t yet have word
Continue readingCalgary Grit: No Bull
I watched bits of the BC Leaders debate last night, mainly out of curiosity to learn about soon-to-be Premier Adrian Dix and see the man in action. I wasn’t overly impressed, but I don’t think the BC NDP need an overly impressive leader to win what looks to be essentially
Continue readingCalgary Grit: Liberals Respond Justin Time
When the Conservatives launched attack ads against Stephane Dion in January 2007, it took the Liberal Party three months to respond. Never again, they vowed. Next time we’ll fight back! Just Visiting first aired in May 2009, yet we didn’t see a rebuttal until Labour Day . So the first
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