Religion usually isn’t a dominant issue in Canadian politics. While there is certainly a general correlation with higher levels of Christian religiosity among conservatives, prominent debates over religion as the key polarizing issue is quite rare. Dur…
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Saskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Who else has had a State Funeral in Canada?
The Government of Canada has a website for its funerals. Here’s a bit of history trivia for you to catch up on. Many of the names I do not know. It appears in the 1930s, funerals were extended to Ministers and Govenors General. One could probably kill quite a bit of time looking through Wikipedia […]
Continue reading350 or bust: We’ll Miss You, Jack
Today is the state funeral for the Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada, and the Leader of the Official Opposition in the Canadian Parliament, Mr. Jack Layton. Like many other Canadians, I was surprised by the depth of the sadness I felt on hea…
Continue readingPolitics, Re-Spun: Liveblog of Jack Layton’s Funeral
It’s been an astonishing week since Jack Layton’s death and not-so-surprising outpouring of public grief and recognition of what he brought to Canadian politics and public service: optimism and integrity, as I see it. What about you? His funeral is set for today at 2pm, Toronto time. Please feel free to participate in our liveblog […]
Continue readingDeath By Trolley: Endorsing Justin Trottier, Green Party of Ontario Candidate, Parkdale-High Park
I am proud to throw my out-of-riding support behind Justin Trottier, Green Party of Ontario, whom is seeking to represent the Parkdale – High Park riding. Justin Trottier is a principled and active advocate for science, reason, freedom of and from religion, nontheism, free speech, gay rights, and environmental responsibility. I have had the pleasure […]
Continue readingThose Emergency Blues: Buskerfest
Where I was Thursday. I’m not very good at writing art review-style critiques using high-flown language, but I can say that I enjoyed Buskerfest a lot. There’s a bit of an edge to the performers. They generally live on the margins. They swear freely, even with children present. (O the horrors!) They’re tattooed and pierced, […]
Continue readingCanadian Progressive World: Jack Layton: A Funeral Befitting A Great Canadian
It’s one of those solemn Canadian moments: A casket draped in the flag of Canada. A body lying in state on Parliament Hill. Canadian flag on the Peace Tower and public buildings across the country flying half-mast. Canadians, in their thousan…
Continue readingbastard.logic: Greatly Exaggerated Rumours, Jack Layton Edition
by matttbastard Michael Valpy addresses the current conventional wisdom that without Jack Layton, the NDP — and Canada’s left — is now doomed, doomed, DOOMED! Ahem. Sorry ’bout that. Now, where were we? Oh! Right. Valpy: When polls from the … Continue reading →
Continue readingbastard.logic: How Dare Jack Layton Make Canadians Feel Hopeful Again!
by matttbastard David J. Climenhaga, responding to National Post columnist Christie Blatchford’s now-infamous cranky, contrarian reaction to Canada’s outpouring of love and admiration for Socialist cur Taliban Jack Layton (HISSSSSSS!): [T]he offending column is far from the worst piece Blatchford has written, … Continue reading →
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Wasn’t This Solved in the ’60s? Re-Branding is Ineffective
The 1960′s saw Canada pick up a new flag. We even gave it a day, February 15th, to be celebrated. Canada’s New(TM) Harper Government(TM) is undertaking a “re-branding” of the public service. If you’re like me, your hair stands on end when you hear the word “re-branding”. Even typing it is difficult and is making […]
Continue readingThose Emergency Blues: What I Found in my Garden
A turtle. I remember as a child reading about turtles (or tortoises) in England, where all proper gardens seemed to have one — and being rather charmed by the idea. So I’m pretty pleased this gentleman (or lady) is residing in mine, even if temporarily. Every garden needs a turtle, in my opinion. (Under this […]
Continue readingProgressive Proselytizing: The Power of Provinces and the Importance of the 2011 Ontario Election
When Stephen Harper won a majority in the federal election he did this first and foremost by attracting a large body of voters who had not voted for him in the past and may not in the future. Discussions of the political seppuku committed by Liberals a…
Continue readingTrashy's World: There is a time and there is a place…
… for cynicism and criticism. There is a time and a place to back off and show some respect. You’d think that less than 24 hours after the death of a Canadian who was respected by many, many of his countrymen and women is not the time to smear the man, his party or the […]
Continue readingThose Emergency Blues: About Jack
Hearing about Jack Layton’s death from cancer driving home a couple of days ago was like a hard punch in the head, and I nearly went off the road. My American readers may not appreciate the genuine respect and affection most Canadians had for the new Leader of the Opposition, even if they vehemently disagreed with […]
Continue readingThere’s plenty of Muslim discrimination in the U.S. but what about Canada?
Amidst the hectic rustle and bustle of tweets, Facebook conversations, blog posts and cafe debates on all things provincial politics, there is one topic that I almost forgot about.
It’s the topic of multiculturalism and racism in Canada. I was rem…
Continue readingCanadian Progressive World: RIP, Honorable Jack Layton!
I’m still shocked by the untimely passing this morning of the Federal NDP leader, Jack Layton, at the age of 61. Canada has lost a great champion. Jack will be greatly missed by the many people whose lives he touched deeply. I’m one of th…
Continue readingFacing Autism in New Brunswick: Jack Layton: Canada, and Canadian Families with Autistic Children, Have Lost A Strong, Compassionate Voice
Photograph by Fred Greeslade, Reuters
There will be many words spoken to express the great loss that Canadians feel on hearing of the passing of Jack Layton. His positive, feisty, spirit won the hearts of many Canadians in the last election but…
Continue reading350 or bust: Jack Layton: Let Us Be Loving, Hopeful, and Optimistic. And We’ll Change The World
A letter to Canadians from Jack Layton, leader of the NDP and the leader of the Official Opposition in the Canadian Parliament. It is dated August 20, two days before his death today from cancer. Former Governor-General Michaëlle Jean said in a postin…
Continue readingDriving The Porcelain Bus: A letter to Canadians from the Honourable Jack Layton
A letter to Canadians from the Honourable Jack Layton August 20, 2011Toronto, OntarioDear Friends,Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiri…
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