The federal government has, up until very recently, been a major cheerleader for the Northern Gateway pipeline project. After all, the pipeline is intended to carry Mr. Harper’s favourite energy source—Alberta bitumen—to offshore markets. The government has proclaimed the economic benefits of the pipeline, castigated its critics as foreign-funded radicals
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Scott's DiaTribes: Harper tells a good joke.
That Stephen Harper – who knew he could be a comedian at times? Just look at the funny lines he told reporters in the last couple of days: “Decisions on these kinds of projects are made through an independent evaluation conducted by scientists into the economic costs and risks that
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Stockwell Day for Premier?
Thank you Georgia Straight editor Charlie Smith. I needed that. In the midst of unrelenting bad news broken up only by worse news — pipeline debates, carnage in Syria, the federal government’s ongoing dismantlement of Canada’s worthiest accomplishments — a good laugh was just what the doctor ordered. On the
Continue readingThe Progressive Right: Maxime Bernier Photo
Does “cliché” mean the same in French as it does in English? If so, perhaps this is an unfortunate photograph of Maxime Bernier, the MP for Beauce.
Continue readingcenterandleft: A Defence of Regularized Public Policy Referendum
I think Governments should consult with the people. The amount of public involvement with our federal democracy is essentially voting in a general election once every four years. We call our political system “free and democratic”, a rule by and for the people. For me, electing over three hundred people
Continue readingcenterandleft: Conservative Transparancy Now Scientifically Proven to be a Joke
51st place isn’t necessarily always a bad thing. The 51st wealthiest person in the world, or the 51st smartest are blessed to be so lucky. It’s a placement they can be proud of. When your country is ranked 51st on any list, it is unlikely to be a source of
Continue readingTHE FIFTH COLUMN: The Bill That Couldn’t Happen Here
Back when I worked for the House of Commons, every time an Omnibus Bill was proposed (and the usual discussions and negotiations around splitting it were occurring) we would joke about the ultimate Omnibus Bill – An Act for the Government of Canada, with everything a government wanted to do
Continue readingDavid Climenhaga's Alberta Diary: Lee Richardson: Alberta Ambassador to the Mulcair Government? Or what?
Alberta Premier Alison Redford speaks with Principal Secretary Lee Richardson while Chief of Staff Farouk Adatia looks on. Alberta officials, elected and not so elected, may not appear exactly as illustrated. Below: Mr. Richardson and Mr. Adatia. So what exactly is a principal secretary, anyway? And why does Alberta Premier
Continue readingWhy losing "my" MP leaves me indifferent
The MP for Calgary Centre, Lee Richardson, has announced he is resigning his seat to take a job as Alberta Premier Alison Redford’s principal secretary. Considering that Calgary Centre is my riding, I suppose I should be concerned about losing my representative in Parliament but, as Mr. Richardson has represented
Continue readingcenterandleft: Free Riders and Dire Needers
Breaking news: bad jobs exist. In a classic case of Conservatives boiling down an issue to a wide-sweeping preposterous claim, Jim Flaherty claimed that “there is no bad job”. Yikes Flaherty is proposing reforms to the Employment Insurance program, making it harder for Canadians to remain on the program for
Continue readingCalgary Grit: How a Bill Becomes a Law
“At the end of the day, in my opinion, they’ve made up their mind and this is how we’re going to vote. One person is not going to make a difference, one MP is not going to make a difference.” In some respects, I feel bad for David Wilks. The
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: A Multi-Partisan Approach to Environmental Protection
I am a strong believer in the Green Party. It plays an essential role. Environmentalists cannot afford to patiently wait around for traditional parties to see the light and pass the necessary laws to avert catastrophe. That being said, Canadians have been slow to embrace the Green Party, and that
Continue readingCalgary Grit: Happy Anniversary!
One year ago today, Stephen Harper turned an “unwanted election” into his first majority government, Jack Layton and the NDP soared to never before seen heights, and Liberals spent the evening curled up in a fetal position sobbing in the corner. On political anniversaries, it’s tempting to give each party
Continue reading264MHz: F-35 shows how controlling the message backfires
The Conservative government is in trouble for understating the cost of the F-35 program by 10 billion by only giving out the incremental cost instead of to total cost. Despite years of controversy, it seems they never bothered to point out there was a reasonable explanation for the two different
Continue readingcenterandleft: I Am Not Afraid of an Abortion Debate
If we, as Canadians, believe a woman ought to have the right to choose whether to terminate a pregnancy, why are we so afraid of having our views challenged? Why is it so frightening to open up debate on this socially contentious issue? If we are an open, democratic society,
Continue readingJimBobby Sez: Harper Declares War!
Whooee! Well, friends an’ foes, Steve Harper reckons he knows who the enemy is an’ he declared war.
Continue readingJimBobby Sez: Harper Declares War!
Whooee! Well, friends an’ foes, Steve Harper reckons he knows who the enemy is an’ he declared war.
Continue readingJimBobby Sez: Harper Declares War!
Whooee! Well, friends an’ foes, Steve Harper reckons he knows who the enemy is an’ he declared war.
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Oliver’s Twist: So Long Federal Environmental Oversight
Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver — yes, the one who labelled environmentalists foreign-backed radicals — announced a major overhaul today in how environmental assessments will be conducted in Canada. Not surprisingly, the government is limiting the ability of environmental groups to take part in public hearings, shortening the length of
Continue readingThe Progressive Right: Critiquing Boutiquing
Conservatives mocking Liberal Boutique would like to remind you that the Stephen Harper bobble-head doll is $19.99 at their online store.
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