I think everyone was surprised by Liberal leader Justin Trudeau’s move this morning – particularly 32 Senators – that he was removing all Senators from the Liberal parliamentary caucus, and that as Prime Minister, he would only appoint Senators selected through a non-partisan review process. (Read Trudeau’s statement: Ending partisanship
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A BCer in Toronto: Being a good guy doesn’t excuse Chuck Strahl’s lack of judgment
I don’t know Chuck Strahl, but I’ve always thought he seemed like a pretty good guy, all in all. He certainly has won many friends on all sides of the political fence and in the pundit class, and they were quick to shower him with praise last week when he
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Exit Interview: Liberal Party of Canada national membership secretary Matthew Certosimo
It was an ironic twist of fate that delegates to the Liberal Party of Canada’s 2012 biennial in Ottawa would vote to create a supporter system and elect a decided supporter system skeptic – Matthew Certosimo – as national membership secretary, with the task of creating and overseeing the system
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Exit interview: Liberal Party of Canada president Mike Crawley
When Mike Crawley won the presidency of the Liberal Party of Canada in January 2012, defeating Sheila Copps, Alexandra Mendes and Ron Hartling at the party’s biennial convention in Ottawa, the party faced a number of challenges: declining public support, a weary volunteer base and a worrying fundraising gap. Add
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Ontario’s NDP lines up behind Toronto Mayor Rob Ford
Here’s an example of some pretty cynical political pandering from Ontario’s NDP, as it decides to sidle up to Toronto’s crack-smoking mayor Rob Ford in a misguided attempt to score political points. Back in November, when there was discussion about whether the province should intervene in the drama surrounding Ford
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: If Chong’s Reform Act were in place in BC, would Adrian Dix be Premier today?
Lots of the debate around Michael Chong’s proposed Reform Act to, among other things, allow a federal parliamentary caucus to fire the party leader, has taken place in the abstract. We need to do something, it’s better than nothing, you’re with reform or you’re with the terrorists, and so forth.
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Peter MacKay’s highs and lows on marijuana
The other day, federal justice minister Peter MacKay told reporters he’s “completely fine” with medical marijuana: “Having it regulated, having it made legally available to Nova Scotians — I’m completely fine with that as long as it’s in compliance with Health Canada and they have met the approvals. I don’t
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Political Christmas cards, and Scarborough subways subways subways
Before I head to the West Coast tomorrow for Christmas, I thought I’d share a few of the political Christmas cards that — for the last year ever if the Conservatives and Canada Post get their way — the mailman has dropped through the slot of my front door. The
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: James Moore’s adherence to federal/provincial jurisdiction is highly selective
Federal industry minister James Moore faced harsh criticism over the weekend for choosing to mark the holiday season by channeling EbenezerScrooge when asked a question about child poverty. “Is it my job to feed my neighbour’s child? I don’t think so.” “We’ve never been wealthier as a country than we
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: My problems with Chong’s Reform Act and my own preferences for reform
Having finally gotten around to reading Michael Chong’smuch-ballyhooed Reform Act, which is being pushed by the media pundit class with a fervor that would make most partisans blush, I feel that, while well-intentioned, what the act proposes is flawed and suffers from a narrowness of view that has trouble looking
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: 10 Hate is Better than Love By-Election Moments
As Liberal Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier said in 1918, love is better than hate. And as NDP leader Jack Layton very similarly wrote in his farwell letter nearly a century later, love is better than anger. But is it always? Here are 10 moments from the recent by-election campaigns
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: By-elections give Liberals more hope – and a lot more hard work
Hope and Hard Work has become the oft-repeated Liberal mantra under Justin Trudeau. And it can also be used to describe where the Liberals find themselves after Monday’s by-elections: with a little more hope, and a lot more hard work ahead of them. The hope: with significant gains in vote
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Ontario Liberals pick our policies: Transportation, bees and early childhood education
Ahead of the Liberal Party of Canada biennial coming up in February in Montreal, Ontario Liberals gathered in Kingston this weekend to debate over 60 policies and pick the 10 priority resolutions that our province can send on to be debated by Liberals from across the country at the national
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Reaction to Rob Ford at Argos game more carnival freak show than show of support
There I was, minding my own business just after halftime in a section 129 aisle seat at the Rogers Centre as the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tigercats clashed on Sunday in the CFL’s Eastern Division final, when I ended up with a ringside seat for the circus that has enveloped
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: More hypocrisy on marijuana from the biker gang-supporting Conservatives
Yesterday, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau spoke with and answered questions from students at a high school in Brandon, Manitoba. One of the students asked him his position on marijuana, and he answered. No transcript is available, but here’s how Brandon Sun reporter Jillian Anderson, who was there, describes it: Austin
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Harper’s credibility, the evening news and life outside the Commons
The mistake many politically aware and involved people make is believing everyone follows the ins and outs of every political development as much as they do. They don’t. People are busy. They have other priorities. Believing that everyone shares their anger is a mistake partisans too routinely make. Most Canadians,
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Duffy drama obscures a concerning rift on sovereignty in Harper cabinet
While yesterday’s press conference by Mike Duffy’s lawyer further ensnaring the Prime Minister’s Office (beyond the departed Nigel Wright) into the Senate expense drama and Stephen Harper’s transparent evasions in question period will dominate today’s clips and political chatter, it’s obscuring a more serious and concerning issue: an apparent rift
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: What would Jack Layton say about Linda McQuaig’s push for a two-person debate?
Four federal by-elections have been called for Nov. 25th, including in Toronto Centre. While a new poll shows the Liberals comfortably ahead, I think it’s going to be a real battle. And so does NDP candidate Linda McQuaig, judging by the gambit she launched this weekend. McQuaig is challenging Liberal
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Jason Cherniak launches campaign for Liberal nomination in Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill
It’s always fun when a friend throws their hat in the political ring, and so it was an honour Sunday to venture up to Aurora as Jason Cherniak launched his campaign for the federal Liberal nomination in the newly created riding of Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill. Over 100 people were in
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: 10 mostly negative (but I did try) thoughts about the Speech from the Throne
I know everyone stopped caring about the Speech from the Throne on Thursday, including Prime Minister Harper, who fled to Europe right after it was read Wednesday night to bring back every Canadian a block of gouda. I’ve been busy the last few days though so forgive me, but I’m
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