Harper’s Bill C-51 remains “dangerous and undemocratic” and “deeply unconstitutional” despite the Conservatives’ proposed amendments, says MP Elizabeth May. The post Elizabeth May Rejects Harper’s Cosmetic Bill C-51 Amendments appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingTag: Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Alberta Diary: The accountability ship has sailed, Bill 2 notwithstanding; Premiers Jim Prentice and Ralph Klein compared
A pensive Ralph Klein, maybe thinking about his worst political mistakes. Below: Jim Prentice and Alison Redford, also Alberta premiers. Premier, you’re no Ralph Klein! Accountability legislation? Oh, well … that changes everything! All sarcasm aside, people, I think that ship has sailed, actually … Bill 10, legislation designed to
Continue readingAlberta Diary: ‘Balancing’ rights? Just what rights are being balanced here? The Prentice Government’s Bill 10 is a disgrace
Premier Jim Prentice, with pointer, instructs his Progressive Conservative caucus on how they will vote on Bill 10. Actual docile PC caucus members may not appear exactly as illustrated. Below: The real Mr. Prentice and Liberal MLA Laurie Blakeman as she blows the whistle on homophobia in Alberta schools. Last
Continue readingAlberta Diary: Tory income-splitting tax policy: It’s about creating and preserving gender inequality and making rich guys richer
Whew! This income splitting is a killer. Actual perfect families as seen by the Harper Government may not appear exactly like Canadian reality. Below: Queen’s University tax law professor Kathleen Lahey. A fundamental purpose the Harper Government’s ideologically driven income-splitting tax scheme is to undermine women’s equality, Queen’s University tax
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: No. Just No.
As I had expected, the first steps in the Harper Government’s overreaching reaction to this week’s events in Ottawa are starting to surface. Introducing Harper’s Thought Police: Sources suggest the government is likely to bring in new hate speech legislation that would make it illegal to claim terrorist acts
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Twelve national medical associations join call for Conservative government to drop reckless appeal of refugee health ruling
More national medical associations join Canadians’ call on the Conservative government to respect the Federal Court’s refugee health care ruling, urge it to drop its “reckless appeal.” The post Twelve national medical associations join call for Conservative government to drop reckless appeal of refugee health ruling appeared first on The
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Harper’s “anti-democratic” Fair Elections Act challenged in court
Activists led by the Council of Canadians have filed a Charter challenge to the Conservatives’ Fair Elections Act or Bill C-23 in the Ontario Superior Court. The post Harper’s “anti-democratic” Fair Elections Act challenged in court appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Conservatives urged to respect Federal Court’s ruling on refugee health care
A group of doctors dedicated to strengthening and improving Canada’s universal publicly-funded health care system is urging the Conservatives to drop their appeal against the Federal Court’s recent ruling on refugee health care funding. The post Conservatives urged to respect Federal Court’s ruling on refugee health care appeared first on
Continue readingTHE FIFTH COLUMN: Much Ado About Religious Accommodation
Much is being made of a decision by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) managers at Toronto’s Pearson airport to allow a small group of Hindu priests to avoid screening by female border guards to comply with their religious beliefs.
Apparently some f…
Continue readingTHE FIFTH COLUMN: Much Ado About Religious Accommodation
Much is being made of a decision by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) managers at Toronto’s Pearson airport to allow a small group of Hindu priests to avoid screening by female border guards to comply with their religious beliefs. Apparently some female CBSA officers feel that they were discriminated against
Continue readingTHE FIFTH COLUMN: Much Ado About Religious Accommodation
Much is being made of a decision by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) managers at Toronto’s Pearson airport to allow a small group of Hindu priests to avoid screening by female border guards to comply with their religious beliefs. Apparently some female CBSA officers feel that they were discriminated against
Continue readingTHE CANADIAN PROGRESSIVE: Harper’s “Fair” Elections Act to face Charter challenge
The Council of Canadians and the Canadian Federation of Students announce a Charter challenge against Harper’s Fair Elections Act, which received Royal Assent and became law last week. The post Harper’s “Fair” Elections Act to face Charter challenge appeared first on THE CANADIAN PROGRESSIVE.
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: Further Analysis On Marc Nadon’s Appointment
Marc Nadon is, for now at least, out of the picture as far as Canada’s Supreme Court is concerned. Frankly, I know very little about Justice Nadon’s beliefs and history as a judge. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he happened to lean towards Mr. Harper’s “hang-em-high” approach to
Continue readingAlberta Diary: The flight log: Alison Redford would be better off if she’d paid attention to sensible Alberta Public Service vehicle use policy!
Thinking of bringing your friends and relations along? Don’t bring them in the government truck, Mr. Civil Servant! OTTAWA “Good afternoon,” began a recent email from an assistant deputy minister to government employees of the humbler sort who don’t get to travel first class to faraway places but who may
Continue readingWise Law Blog: Blurred Lines – Privacy and the Work/Personal Computer
BY ANA KRALJEVIC, LAWYER, WISE LAW OFFICEIn today’s computer age, almost all of our actions, from banking to online shopping to private communications with loved ones can be accessed and viewed with just a few clicks and single successful password attempt. And while this naturally raises security concerns regarding privacy in
Continue readingAlberta Diary: Valentine’s Day injunction all but massacres Redford Government’s credibility in fight with Alberta Union of Provincial Employees
Alberta Union of Provincial Employees President Guy Smith at the union’s news conference in Edmonton yesterday. Below: Alberta Labour Minister Thomas Lukaszuk. Mr. Justice Denny Thomas of the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench did not merely accept the arguments of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees when he slapped an
Continue readingAlberta Diary: A challenge for the Redford Government: use Section 33 of the Charter to impose your unconstitutional laws
Queen Elizabeth II signs the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982 as a smiling PM Pierre Trudeau looks on. Now null and void in Alberta? Below: The Charter, premiers Peter Lougheed and Ralph Klein from an old news shot found on the Internet, looking suitably appalled. Here’s a
Continue readingAlberta Diary: Is it time to take our pots and pans into Alberta’s freezing streets?
More than 1,000 union members and their supporters gathered at the Alberta Legislature last night to continue protests against the Redford Government’s Bill 45, which as well as attacking unions assaults Albertans’ Charter-guaranteed right to free speech. Below: Unexpected speaker Joe Anglin; a red square from Quebec. Make it black,
Continue readingValerie Burns: Doldrums
My three faithful readers remind me that I don’t post here often enough for their liking. They are dear to me, and I love them all. Hi guys. There are a few reasons I don’t post more. SInce I like lists, I’ll make one here to amuse and bemuse: 1.
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: The PQ’s "Charter of Quebec Values"
Lately, there has been much of an uproar made over the PQ’s “Charter of Quebec Values” in the news. Frankly, the entire thing strikes me as a ridiculous bit of pot-stirring on the part of the Marois-led PQ government. The proposed Charter imposes a set of arbitrary limitations on religious
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