I’d like to make it clear at the start of this post that I have by no means been converted to the belief that Justin Trudeau would be an appropriate choice to lead the country, for reasons that I will conclude the post with. However, I simply want to make
Continue readingTag: Justin Trudeau
Accidental Deliberations: Of rules and rulers
I’ll readily agree with the Star’s editorial board that we should expect our lawmakers to have some respect for the law. But while David Climenhaga draws one contrast between Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper, I’ll point out what looks to be a more apt comparison – one which also involves
Continue readingAlberta Diary: Grass crime no! Grain crime yes! The inconsistencies of Prime Minister Harper
Prime Minister Stephen Harper stands with Rick Strankman and some of the other law-breaking farmers the PM pardoned in 2011. (Photo grabbed from the Drumheller Mail.) Below: Mr. Strankman, now Wildrose MLA for Drumheller-Stettler, and Justin Trudeau, leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. Prime Minister Stephen Harper is open
Continue readingScott's DiaTribes: The makings of Trudeau policy and what he stands for
In my own humble (and admittedly partisan) opinion, I think Justin Trudeau has had a good week. First, he strongly criticized the PQ intention of banning religious headgear from Quebec government institutions etc, calling that going against Canadian values and rights (right in step with how his father would have
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Peter MacKay and the Con War on Marijuana
Holy Jahbesus. You'd think Peter MacKay would be the LAST person to accuse anyone of smoking their credibility by getting high. Justice Minister Peter MacKay says Justin Trudeau’s credibility is “up in smoke” after the federal Liberal Party leader admitted smoking marijuana around the time he voted in the House to increase penalties for
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Hee Hee Hee
Despite the misspelling in the caption, I rather like this cartoon, probably for obvious reasons. As well, you may enjoy these letters from Star readers who have an even less flattering view of Mr. Harper as it pertains to his northern junket, escaping the heat via prorogation, and his ongoing
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: My Second Surprise Today
Earlier today., I posted a brief piece on how, despite my reservations about Justin Trudeau’s leadership capacity, I found his openness and honesty refreshing when it came to pot. The second surprise I got today was the fact that he spoke quite candidly about his opposition to Quebec’s proposed ban
Continue readingTrashy's World: JT smoked pot
Wow. Stop the presses! Big freaking deal. So Steve thinks that the honest admission of Justin T that he smoked some weed a few years ago is enough of a reason to declare the leader of the LPC as unfit to be PM. Yet, according to Mr. Harper, a PM
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Let The Hysteria Begin
While I have real doubts about Justin Trudeau’s leadership qualities, I have to give him credit for a degree of openness almost non-existent in politicians. While surely well-aware of the political consequences, he has admitted to smoking pot since he became an M.P. He said that he made this admission
Continue readingCalgary Grit: Royal Baby
In case you were worried the Trudeaus just weren’t photogenic enough already… Justin Trudeau announces his wife, Sophie Grégoire, is pregnant with couple’s third child
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Is Stephen Harper Preparing to Abolish the Senate?
I don't know if it's constitutionally possible, but if anything can bring down the Senate it just might be this audit. The Senate's internal economy committee has accepted a plan by the federal auditor general to review all senators' expenses, including travel and office expenses, CBC News has learned. Sources
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics: Politics with your Folk
TweetFor this political junkie, one of the small highlights of attending Edmonton’s Folk Music Festival each year is flipping through the $5 programme book to sneak a look at the political ads placed in the programme guide. The political ads are always from politicians sitting in the political centre or left
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Legalization Of Marijuana – The Need For A Vigorous Debate
I believe the sterotype is that as we get older, our views become more entrenched and conservative. In my own life, I have found the opposite to be true. When I was young, I was certainly to the right of centre in my social views. I was a supporter of
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: On test cases
Not surprisingly, Linda McQuaig‘s entry into the NDP’s Toronto Centre nomination contest against Jennifer Hollett has set off plenty of discussion this morning. And much of the focus has been on a possible by-election battle between McQuaig and Chrystia Freeland – the authors of the two most prominent recent books
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Justin Trudeau and the Great Marijuana Debate
Well I'm glad to see that Justin Trudeau has come out in favour of legalizing marijuana. For the noblest of reasons:“It’s one of the only ways to keep it out of the hands of our kids because the current war on drugs, the current model is not working. We have
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: If you oppose marijuana legalization and regulation, you’re soft on crime
Liberal leader Justin Trudeau’s support of marijuana legalization and regulation made news this week, although it isn’t really new. He spoke about his position during the leadership race, but it made a bit of news again this week when he spoke about it in Kelowna during his well-received summer tour
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Incredible Hypocrisy of Jason Kenney
Ever since Justin Trudeau became Liberal leader, Jason Kenney has gone after him like a rabid hyena.He has attacked him for missing votes in the House of Commons.He has questioned his values, suggested he is soft on terrorism. Read more »
Continue readingAlberta Diary: Context, Tory MP Russ Hiebert’s shifty campaign for Bill C-377, and me
The Parliamentary trolley, on its way back from the Senate, stops in front of the Prime Minister’s Office in the Langevin Block. The dog at left was never owned by Prime Minister W.L. Mackenzie King, who was well known in his day as a labour expert, although it clearly does
Continue readingCalgary Grit: Politicians in Cowboy Hats: Come Hell or High Water
For a brief history of Stampede fashion, you can read the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 round-ups – or last year’s “100 Years of Bad Photo-Ops“ Flood waters cannot stop the Stampede and flood waters cannot stop politicians from the annual ritual of self humiliation known as the
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics: News from parties not named PC or Wildrose
TweetWith Alberta’s daily political scene dominated by the loud and partisan voices of the governing Progressive Conservatives and the official opposition Wildrose, it has become easy to miss what is happening in Alberta’s other political parties. Here is a quick look at some news from the other parties represented in the
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