Michael Mendelson has posted a long comment on my earlier post regarding the Mowat Report on EI. He defends Caledon’s proposal for temporary non EI income support for the unemployed as a clear improvement over welfare , and stresses that it is not intended to undermine EI as a social
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: If we’re betting everything on leadership, Bob Rae must be clear on intentions
Reflectingon last weekend’s Liberal Party of Canada biennial convention, where delegatesvoted against reducing the powers of the leader and put much of their hope forrebuilding into one key initiative – admitting supporters into the party ranksand giving them a vote for the next leader – it seems clear to me
Continue readingThe Sir Robert Bond Papers: If this is bad… #nlpoli
Bloc NDP member of parliament Ryan Cleary thinks that Marine Atlantic’s 4.5% fare increase will put the province at a disadvantage when it comes to tourism and economic development. Cleary is also concerned about the impact on ordinary Newfoundlanders and Labradorians: “Living in Newfoundland and Labrador is not cheap. This
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Linda McQuaig on Harper’s Anti-Labour Policies
Drawing comparisons between Republican animus toward labour and Harper government policies that permit the kind of outrageous corporate behaviour unfolding at Electro-Motive Canada, Linda McQuaig’s column in today’s Star warns us of what is ahead for workers in Canada. Two key excerpts provide the tone of her piece: Harper played
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Stop The Cap: Canada falls further behind in Internet speed and cost
Many people who have travelled outside the country have told us, and the statistics confirm: Canada is falling behind the rest of the industrialized world, and unless we take action, our digital future is looking dim. Whether it’s the lack of affordable access to high-speed Internet or to cell phones,
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – Alex Himelfarb nicely summarizes the price of austerity: Let me be clear that I share in the broad consensus that we must be fiscally prudent. But let’s pause on what fiscal prudence really means: It means spending wisely, reducing waste, collecting sufficient
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: The Myth Of The Reluctant Politician
We all yearn for a modern day Cincinatus, who — so the story goes — left his quiet life on the farm to serve Rome. In truth, Cincinatus was a Roman aristocrat who, because of political reverses, had been exiled there until circumstances allowed him to return. Lawrence Martin argues
Continue readingDead Wild Roses: The worst thing you’ll read all day…
[TW FOR RAPE CULTURE AND GENERAL DOUCHEBAGGERY] Once again an idiotic college student has brought shame on his fraternity, his school, and possibly the entire Greek system by doing something that confirms every misogynistic frat guy stereotype. Today we received a copy of a an email purportedly written by a
Continue reading350 or bust: There’s Nothing “Ethical” About Tar Sands Oil
If anybody reading this is wondering about whether or not Canada’s tar sands oil is “ethical” or not, this presentation by photographer Garth Lenz, from TEDx Victoria this past November, will leave no doubt: * More links: Garth Lenz.com Indigenous Environmental Network: Tar Sands Campaign
Continue readingWise Law Blog: 140 Law – Legal Headlines for Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Here are the leading legal headlines from Wise Law on Twitter for Tuesday, January 17, 2012: French judge wants to probe Gitmo torture claims OPP Association (OPPA) to appeal OCA decision that dictates how and when police officers prepare notes. Google, Facebook to Delhi court: Impossible to pre-screen content Elder
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Leadership 2012 Roundup
No, I won’t claim to have entirely comprehensive coverage of the NDP’s leadership race. But I do try to catch the developments that strike me as significant for each candidate and the race as a whole…so let’s take a look at what’s new over the past few days. To start
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Low-ball bid for Olympic TV rights could leave Canadians in dark
The International Olympic Committee has rejected a joint offer from Bell and CBC to televise the next Winter Games and the 2016 Summer Games, setting up a high-stakes showdown over how those Olympics will be broadcast in Canada.
Continue readingThe Skwib: The five second rule
It was the best game of zenball ever, and the crowd was wild with excitement: the whisper of butterfly wings was deafening. The Rotrovra Koan Kangaroos had just scored their first all-in kensho, and the Targenville Half-Lotus Lions replied with a double-satori. The Roos launched a full-out dharma walk, but
Continue readingThings Are Good: Occupy 2012 and Beyond
Megan Boler has an inspirational article on The Mark about the coming year in the Occupy Movement. She did research into the Occupy Movement and interviewed many participants to see what some people are still wondering – what’s occupy all about? Well, Boler points out that at the core there
Continue readingScott's DiaTribes: Getting into the spirit of things, post-Liberal convention.
I’ve seen this logo floating around on some blogs – a suggestion to upgrade the Liberal Party logo: I’ve seen it on some Blogging Tory blogs critical of the legalizing marijuana resolution that was passed, and on some Liberal blogs with people just having fun with it. Personally, I think
Continue readingwmtc: rally for toronto! today in nathan phillips square
Rob Ford might be losing weight, but Toronto is losing vital public services and good jobs – if the mayor and his friends on City Council have their way. If you live, work, or go to school in Toronto, come out to defend your city. WHEN: Tuesday, January 17, 5:30
Continue readingBigCityLib Strikes Back: Your Daily Nazi: Big Ambitions
Is this the beginning of a post Section 13 Neo Nazi Renaissance in Canada? Some have wondered as much. Or maybe not. The folks at ARC doubt the organizers ability to organize a panic on a sinking submarine, let alone a rally across multiple provinces. But they do note that
Continue readingThe Sir Robert Bond Papers: Sucking eggs, debating Muskrat Falls and other wastes of time #nlpoli
Former natural resources minister Shawn Skinner thinks there House of Assembly should debate the Muskrat Falls deal. Ditto his replacement, Jerome! Kennedy who likes to quote a supposed 1980 endorsement of the project by former Hydro boss Vic Young as proof there’s been enough talk about the whole thing. Ditto
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