The statement yesterday by Sochi’s mayor that there were no gay people in Sochi was idiotic. The statement today by Thornhill Progressive Conservative candidate, Gila Martow, is nearly as idiotic: Thornhill provincial Progressive Conservative byelection candidate Gila Martow called the move to raise the minimum wage this week “a vote-buying,
Continue readingTag: Canadian Politics
daveberta.ca - Alberta politics: MLA Janice Sarich not jumping into federal politics
TweetEdmonton-Decore Progressive Conservative MLA Janice Sarich released this statement this morning announcing that she will not seek the Conservative Party nomination in the new federal riding of Edmonton-Griesbach: After a thorough exploration I have decided not to pursue a nomination for the federal Conservative Party of Canada. I have been
Continue readingScott's DiaTribes: Another former blogger (David Graham) running for a Liberal nomination
It seems a fair number of bloggers, or former bloggers, are deciding to try going from their grass/netroots activism and translate that into trying to get elected to office to translate that activism into change at the political level. This week, it is the turn of David Graham to announce
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics: Big names running for federal party nominations in Alberta
TweetThere has been plenty of activity this week as candidates from all political parties put forward their names to run in Canada’s next federal election, scheduled to be held in October 2015. Wooing voters and potential candidates alike, both New Democratic Party leader Thomas Mulcair and Liberal Party leader Justin
Continue readingScott's DiaTribes: Not good times for Tim Hudak/Ontario PC’s
Yesterday won’t count as one of Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak’s better days. First came this snippet from the Windsor Star that the party had “fired” their candidate in Essex from last election over a dispute on “right to work” legislation: Dave Brister was fired today as the Ontario PC
Continue readingAlberta Diary: With free expression under assault in Alberta, where’s ‘free speech advocate’ Ezra Levant?
So-called free-speech advocate and celebrity commentator Ezra Levant. Below: Free-speech opponent Alison Redford, Canada’s answer to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, shown below her; that Voltaire guy; nearly forgotten Tory political strategist Stephen Carter. Where’s Ezra Levant now that we need him? Mr. Levant, after all, is frequently billed as Canada’s
Continue readingAlberta Diary: It’s time to recognize the market-fundamentalist elephant in the airport security screening room
Some of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority’s sub-contracted passenger screening supervisors at Edmonton International Airport. Fortunately for them, theirs won’t be the heads that roll. Below: Skylar Murphy, the 18-year-old brainiac with a recreational pipe bomb; the proverbial elephant in the room. Canadian airports really do have a security
Continue readingThe Ranting Canadian: The unholy trinity of the Alberta tarsands industry,…
The unholy trinity of the Alberta tarsands industry, the Conservative Party and the right-wing media has gone all-out in its attacks on Neil Young for his stance against their destructive policies and actions. One thing that these corporate wolves and subservient sheep overlook is that, of course, Neil Young
Continue readingScott's DiaTribes: Your 1st polls to 2nd guess Forum on – ONT byelections
Well, as expected, Forum is polling the 2 byelections just called in Ontario, and will be providing us fodder.. er.. numbers.. to look at. Here are their first “results”: In Thornhill, where a successor to former Tory MPP Peter Shurman will be chosen, Tory candidate Gila Martow was at 44
Continue readingAlberta Diary: Battles in the ’Burbs: Independent St. Albert MP Brent Rathgeber eyes formation of party as fund-raising vehicle
Independent MP Brent Rathgeber with machine gun, looking as if he could use some closer supervision, takes aim at the CBC. (Joke.) And, yes, that is Jack Layton with the other one. Below: Teddy Roosevelt. (That’s enough politicians with firearms! – Ed.) ST. ALBERT, Alberta Edmonton-St. Albert Member of Parliament
Continue readingwmtc: let them stay week day 5: social media thursday
Today in Let Them Stay Week 2014 is Social Media Thursday! – Change your Facebook picture to the picture above to show support for US war resisters in Canada. You can also find the photo on our website, resisters.ca. – Invite your friends to change their picture, too. – Tweet
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics: He’s in: Ron Liepert challenges Rob Anders in Calgary Signal Hill
TweetFormer provincial cabinet minister and MLA Ron Liepert officially announced in a statement this morning his intentions to seek the Conservative Party of Canada nomination in the newly redistributed Calgary Signal Hill riding. Mr. Liepert’s candidacy has been widely suspected since the “timetodobetter.ca” group announced it would support a candidate
Continue readingProgressive Proselytizing: Does the Left have a corresponding great lie?
Yesterday, I gave a pretty harsh critique on the self contradicting core conservative talking point of cutting debt and taxes to create jobs. What I argued was that if your vision is a dramatic reduction in the size and scope of government, then be honest about it and run on
Continue readingScott's DiaTribes: A major test for both Hudak and Wynne; Byelections called
This wasn’t unexpected, but here is the official news: Premier Kathleen Wynne has called byelections for Feb. 13 in Thornhill and Niagara Falls…The riding of Niagara Falls became vacant after Liberal MPP Kim Craitor resigned. Thornhill MPP Peter Shurman stepped down after a very public dispute with PC Leader Tim
Continue readingwmtc: let them stay week day 5: write a paper letter to chris alexander
Today we go old school. Take out a pen, or turn on your printer, and send some paper mail to Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Chris Alexander. Tell him to stop deporting US war resisters in Canada, and to enact a provision to let them stay. Tell him why. Find
Continue readingAlberta Diary: Lobbying Act’s ban on lobbying by former ministers no hindrance if they’re hired as presidents and CEOs of lobby firms
A Conservative cabinet minister turned lobbying firm president, top row, centre right, with part of the team of lobbyists he supervises. Actual lobby group CEOs and their lobbying staffs may not appear exactly as illustrated. For one thing, even one bow tie would never be allowed! Below, an actual former
Continue readingProgressive Proselytizing: The Great Conservative Lie
Virtually all incidences of modern Conservatism – Canada and the US, federally, state/provincially and municipally, from politician to politician – has a consistent central theme. Campaign planks comes and go, but this is the frame of the Conservative movement. It is also a lie, known by all who say it
Continue readingwmtc: let them stay week day 3: email or call minister chris alexander
Today is a very important day in Let Them Stay Week 2014. Today we flood some inboxes! If you support US war resisters in Canada, please take a moment to call or email the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Chris Alexander. Ask him to ensure that no more US war
Continue readingScott's DiaTribes: LPC Biennial Convention: Basic Income Supplement proposal
I figured with a month and a bit to go to the LPC Biennial Convention in Montreal, which will be crafting and formulating policy resolutions among other things (and which, assuming I’m accredited, I will be there covering it as a blogger) I’d start focusing on a few things and
Continue readingwmtc: let them stay week day 2: letter to the editor
Let Them Stay Week 2014 kicked off yesterday with a flutter on social media. Today we get underway in earnest by writing letters to the editors of local newspapers. Three ideas for letters are here on the War Resisters Support Campaign website. An excellent list of email address, along with
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