From the Toronto Star: I am ashamed to be a Canadian. I have been involved with the campaign to keep Kim Rivera in Canada for some time. It is obvious that most Canadians think that as a conscientious objector to the war in Iraq she should stay here rather than
Continue readingTag: Canadian Politics
wmtc: thinking of the riveras, today and always
My grief for the Rivera family and my rage at this cruel, anti-democratic government roils unabated. I am haunted by thoughts of my dear friend Kimberly Rivera, who has given so much to so many people, all by herself in a jail cell, and by thoughts of those four beautiful
Continue readingAlberta Diary: Adoration of Peter Lougheed moves beyond canonization into deification
Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s message at Peter Lougheed’s state funeral. Below: Premier Lougheed with Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, who haunts us still. With his state funeral yesterday afternoon, the official adoration of former Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed moved beyond canonization into deification. If other Canadians happened to pause and listen
Continue readingRandom Ranting Raving and Ratings: What does Stephen Harper have against attending Premier’s Conferences?
Stephen Harper has never attended a Premier’s Conference. He has been Prime Minister since 2006 and has turned down every invitation extended him to attend. Yesterday during Opposition Day in the House of Commons the NDP put forward a motion that the Prime Minister accept the most recent… ..
Continue readingRandom Ranting Raving and Ratings: What does Stephen Harper have against attending Premier’s Conferences?
Stephen Harper has never attended a Premier’s Conference. He has been Prime Minister since 2006 and has turned down every invitation extended him to attend. Yesterday during Opposition Day in the House of Commons the NDP put forward a motion that the Prime Minister accept the most recent… ..
Continue readingRandom Ranting Raving and Ratings: What does Stephen Harper have against attending Premier’s Conferences?
Stephen Harper has never attended a Premier’s Conference. He has been Prime Minister since 2006 and has turned down every invitation extended him to attend.
Yesterday during Opposition Day in the House of Commons the NDP put forward a motion th…
Continue readingwmtc: the rivera family leaves canada. our hearts break, our anger rises.
Now that some of the details have been made public, I need to write about my experience yesterday and the last few days. As the public battle to keep Kimberly Rivera and her family in Canada raged, there was, simultaneously, a more private effort to help the Rivera family personally.
Continue reading350 or bust: Rick Mercer on Stephen Harper: He Knows Better, But Doesn’t Care
Rick Mercer’s back, and in fine form. Here’s Rick’s rant from September 18th, Omnibus Bill II: The Sequel. Wake up, Canadians!
Continue readingCanadian Progressive: Who is sponsoring Canada’s Democracy Week? Elections Canada, of course
Are you like millions of Canadians outraged by Prime Minister Stephen Harper‘s relentless assault on our democratic institutions, traditions and values? Maybe you’re wondering if the Harper can really be stopped? This week (September 15-22) is the week to do find answers. And do something about Canada’s ailing democracy. It’s Democracy Week (September
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: Bill C-279 proceeding to committee for amendments
Offered without comment, other than to say that Bill C-279 is reported to be headed to committee very soon. No date has been given thus far, and it’s not on the calendar as of yet. From Xtra.ca: As federal politicians settle in for the fall session, NDP LGBT critic Randall
Continue readingwmtc: kim rivera to be deported from canada tomorrow. our struggle continues.
As you may have heard, the Federal Court has denied Kimberly Rivera a stay of removal and leave to appeal. Kim and her family are scheduled to leave Canada tomorrow. We continue to call on Immigration Minister Jason to stop this injustice. Please continue to call and email Minister Kenney.
Continue readingRandom Ranting Raving and Ratings: Covert Attempt to Criminalize Abortion – MPs Debate in less then 48 hours
From LeadNow.ca ‘In just 48 hours, our MPs will debate a Conservative motion that the Canadian Medical Association, representing 70,000 doctors, is calling a ‘backdoor’ attempt to criminalize abortion. Prime Minister Harper has chosen to allow this motion to go forward to a free vote in… ..
Continue readingRandom Ranting Raving and Ratings: Covert Attempt to Criminalize Abortion – MPs Debate in less then 48 hours
From LeadNow.ca
‘In just 48 hours, our MPs will debate a Conservative motion that the Canadian Medical Association, representing 70,000 doctors, is calling a ‘backdoor’ attempt to criminalize abortion. Prime Minister Harper has chosen to allow this motion to go forward to a free vote in…
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Continue readingRandom Ranting Raving and Ratings: Covert Attempt to Criminalize Abortion – MPs Debate in less then 48 hours
From LeadNow.ca ‘In just 48 hours, our MPs will debate a Conservative motion that the Canadian Medical Association, representing 70,000 doctors, is calling a ‘backdoor’ attempt to criminalize abortion. Prime Minister Harper has chosen to allow this motion to go forward to a free vote… ..
Continue readingCanadian Progressive: Bad News: Two Polls Give Harper Conservatives Edge Over News Democrats
As the Canadian Parliament returns for what promises to be another acrimonious session, two opinion polls show that the Harper Conservatives hold a slight lead over Thomas Mulcair’s New Democrats. The Canadian Press Harris-Decima poll pegs Conservative support at 34 per cent, the New Democrats at 27, the Liberals at 24
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: A Taxing Debate
The gloves came off yesterday on Parliament’s first day back after its summer break, with Stephen Harper dealing the NDP what he evidently considers a fatal insult. Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, according to the synchronized taunts of the Prime Minister and his Conservative minions, wants nothing more than to impose
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: An Open Letter to Stephen Harper Regarding Senate Reform
Dear Prime Minister Stephen Harper: I am writing today in response to reports that you will seek a Supreme Court reference on the constitutionality of your proposals for Senate reform. In a way, I can understand this. You would like clarity on a politically tricky issue, one that would otherwise
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: I’m Pretty Sure
I’m pretty sure, not betting sure but close, that I’m still going to make it out of here before this place of mine gets heavily hit by climate change. “Not betting sure” because there doesn’t seem to be a solid floor of any kind underneath the global warming right now.
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: Stephen Woodworth’s “science,” and why Canada’s far-right isn’t really interested in it.
Stephen Woodworth’s Motion M-312 is scheduled for its second hour of debate this Friday, and the vote on the following Wednesday. And over summer’s Parliamentary break, there has been an interesting change of direction from the Canadian far-right backers of Woodworth’s action. In a way, there’s some obvious desire to
Continue readingScott's DiaTribes: Good move by the Conservatives (no this title is not a typo) on Senate Reform
Yes, I’m going to give Harper credit on something this morning, and that is the apparent decision to refer the Government’s proposed Senate reform bill to the Supreme Court of Canada, and ask the High Court for their decision on whether its constitutionally valid or not: Since 2006, the Conservative
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