But one, of course, that our political overlords have no interest in considering: Re: Polls expert fears Bill C-23 imperils voters’ rights, March 26 The response from Minister Pierre Poilievre’s office that “the Fair Elections Act simply requires voters to demonstrate who they are and where they live” shows a
Continue readingTag: harper contempt for canadians
Politics and its Discontents: On Tory Intractability And Contempt
Today’s blog entry is really a video one, based on the testimony yesterday of Harry Neufeld, the elections expert and former B.C. Chief Electoral Officer whose report is being consistently misrepresented by Pierre Poilievre in his zeal to suppress the vote through the misnamed ‘Fair’ Elections Act. Perhaps one of
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Opposition To The ‘Fair’ Elections Act Grows
As a supplement to Montreal Simon’s post yesterday on Jean Pierre Kingsley’s appearance before the committee hearings on the ‘Fair’ Elections Act, you might want to spare two minutes to watch this report from The National on his concerns: As well, here is a report that shows growing public awareness
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Another Gem From Our National Treasure
Oh, Rick, may your voice never be silenced. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Defending The Indefensible – A Tory Tactic
Giving a break to Pierre Poilivre, the most public, glib, oleaginous and wholly unconvincing face of the misnamed ‘Fair’ Elections Act, the Harper cabal tapped good Tory-soldier Paul Calandra to be their point man on Power and Politics to defend the act. There is little doubt in my mind that
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: A Lesson In Language
With my flooring project continuing at a pace commensurate with my rudimentary skills, I will likely devote much of the day working on the second room, the first finally completed with only a few obvious mistakes that I think I can later conceal. Therefore, in lieu of something of my
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Nothing New Here
All who find change unsettling will be reassured by the following video from today’s Question Period, the House’s first day back after a two-week break. Nothing has changed. Tory arrogance and contempt for Canadians is in full display: Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Why Do I Find This So Immensely Appealing?
No idea. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Election Bill Sends ‘Very Poor Message’ To Budding Democracies
So says Andrew Reynolds, an associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, one of 18 professors from around the world who earlier this week signed an open letter about their concerns regarding the ‘Fair Elections Act. Their letter came the week after an open letter to
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Something For Stephanie
In yesterday’s post entitled The Warnings Are Everywhere, I wrote about how Canada is being critically scrutinized both domestically and internationally for the anti-democratic measures contained in the ‘Fair’ Elections Act. I drew heavily upon an open letter sent by an array of professors from countries including the United Kingdom,
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: TWO Judicial Setbacks In ONE Day!
I don’t want to chortle; I really don’t. Chortling bespeaks a certain pettiness and vindictiveness that I would like, in my more high-mined moments, to think I am above. But I am weak, and so today is a good day to indulge in some whole-hearted chortling. First came the news
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Warnings Are Everywhere
Canada’s reputation continues to erode, both at home and internationally. I recently wrote a post about Canadian law professors who penned an open letter pleading with the government not to proceed with the ‘Fair’ Elections Act in its present form because it will seriously undermine our democracy. Now, beyond our
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: A Timely Reminder About Taxation
Responding to a column the other day by the Star’s Thomas Walkom, letter-writer Bruna Nota of Toronto offers us some timely reminders: Re: Tax a dirty word in these Thatcherite political times, March 15 Yes, most unfortunately, the culture has developed in Canada, fully supported by all big media to
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Harper’s Palpable, Consistent Contempt
Yesterday, fellow-blogger LeDaro posted a video from last May when Harper invited reporters to a caucus meeting to hear his speech, then refused to answer questions about the Senate scandal engulfing his government. As the reporters shouted out their questions, they were drowned out by the deafening ovation rendered by
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Rick Mercer Wipes Up With Pierre Poilivre
Rick Mercer does his usual excellent job in putting the smug and arrogant in their places: Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Kevin Page On Canada’s ‘Grotesquely Wrong Elites’
Former Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page, about whom I have written many times on this blog, is without question one of Canada’s true heroes. The reason? He insisted upon doing his job with the kind of thoroughness and integrity that exemplify the highest ideals of public service. Like Munir Sheikh,
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: They Tell Tales Designed To Frighten Children
They, of course, are all who comprise the Harper cabal, that conglomeration of feckless, ambitious and disloyal louts who, through their lies, distortions and propaganda, would frighten, confuse and bully the uninformed into surrendering much of what it means to be Canadian. People will recall, for example, the infamous lie
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Each Day Seems To Bring A Fresh Outrage
I am someone who believes people should never be too happy or contented. Such states breed a complacency that can lead to an indifference, if not downright disengagement, from the pressing issues that citizenship demands. That being said, however, there are days when I almost wish that I could be
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Law Professors Are Not Impressed By The ‘Fair’ Elections Act
Yasmin Dawood is one of 160 professors from across Canada behind an open letter to the government asking for major revisions to the ‘Fair’ Elections Act. Yesterday, she appeared on Power and Politics. As you will see, Dawood regards the act’s provisions as posing a grave threat to Canadian democracy:
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: A New Post From The Salamander
In response to the letter I posted this morning, The Salamander offers some timely commentary, which I am posting below. While making his usual incisive observations, he also has some suggestions that we would all do well to take to heart: .. don’t wear a poppy .. turn your back
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