Is the SNC-Lavalin Affair really the Trudeau crusher Andrew Scheer and his strategic team obviously think it is? No sooner had former justice minister Jody Wilson-Reybould completed her startling testimony last Wednesday before the House of Commons Justice Committee – replete with detailed allegations of political interference in the justice
Continue readingTag: mike duffy
Political Potshots: The Nothingburger Scandal And The Amazing Technicolor Dream World Of The Canadian Conservative
First, here are a few thoughts from Jody Wilson-Raybould’s committee testimony and the aftermath. What Jody Wilson-Raybould and Justin Trudeau are both saying could likely be true. They do not have to be mutually exclusive. We know now that Jody Wilson-Raybould is likely responsible for the leak, or had a
Continue readingAlberta Politics: Jason Kenney’s domestic arrangements: A wonkish look at how MPs identify their primary and secondary residences
Members of the Canadian Parliament like Jason Kenney in the days he was MP for Calgary Midnapore are permitted to charge expenses for a secondary residence, either in the National Capital Region or within 100 kilometres of the riding they represent. To avail themselves of this benefit, MPs like Mr.
Continue readingAlberta Politics: Free advice to Senator Paula Simons: When in doubt, don’t file an expense claim; avoid sparring with PM
I imagine most journos working nowadays for the moribund and increasingly far-right Postmedia newspaper chain daydream about making a miraculous escape from their travails – perhaps a modest Lotto 6/49 win or a generous inheritance from a beloved auntie. But you have to admit that Paula Simons, until now a
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Mike Duffy and the Con Scandal That Won’t Die
I know the Mike Duffy trial seems like ancient history now, and I can hardly remember the details of the case.Except that the wrong man was put on trial. The Harper PMO, and its morally depraved leader, were able to elude the long withered arm of the law.And although Duffy
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Nigel Wright and the Con Scandal That Won’t Die
The timing couldn't have been more embarrassing for the Cons. On Saturday they will choose a new leader, and Rona Ambrose is still desperately trying to whip up interest in the event… The big day is almost here – on Saturday we're going to find out who Canada's next Prime Minister will
Continue readingAlberta Politics: The Top 10 Alberta political news stories of 2016: AlbertaPolitics.ca’s picks
PHOTOS: Alberta NDP Premier Rachel Notley. Below: Calgary MLA Sandra Jansen, elected as a Progressive Conservative and now a member of the NDP, Municipal Affairs Minister Danielle Larivee, and the late Jim Prentice, the last PC premier of Alberta. 2016: It was the International Year of the Bean. I kid
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Saturday Afternoon Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading. – Arancha González Laya distinguishes between international trade and corporatism – arguing that we should be looking to ensure people benefit from the former by reining in the latter: Making trade more inclusive requires action on three broad policy fronts: trade rules, domestic social
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Now We Know Why The RCMP Didn’t Charge Nigel Wright
It was for me the burning question at the heart of the Mike Duffy scandal. The one that never got answered.Why did the RCMP charge Duffy with bribery, and not charge Nigel Wright for paying that bribe out of his own pocket?And now we finally know the answer.Read more »
Continue readingAlberta Politics: RCMP explanation of why Nigel Wright was never charged doesn’t quite pass sniff test
PHOTOS: Sen. Mike Duffy arrives at the courthouse for the final day of his trial in April 2016 in this screenshot. A couple of hours later he would look considerably happier. Below: Nigel Wright, Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper’s chief of staff at the time of the events for which
Continue readingAlberta Politics: Watching the Wildrose in the Legislature: Beverly Hillbillies … or Deliverance?
PHOTOS: The Beverly Hillbillies in campaign mode. Actual members of the Alberta Wildrose caucus may not appear exactly as illustrated. Below: Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, left, and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, right, answer reporters’ questions …
Continue readingAlberta Politics: Those crazy federal Tories! Just how dumb do they think we are? (Hint: plenty)
PHOTOS: Rona Ambrose dressed up in hospital scrubs and a stethoscope. Hint: She’s not a real doctor. It’s not clear from this photo, which was published on a CTV site, if the other people are real health care workers or Tory MPs. Below: Your blogge…
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Monday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material to start your week.- Tyler Hamilton offers a roundup of the growing threat of climate change – and Canada’s shameful contribution to making it worse. – Andy Blatchford reports on the Libs’ plans for a massive selloff of federal p…
Continue readingAlberta Politics: Same old same old at the CPC: The Conservative boss hasn’t gone crazy, and he may even be the same guy …
PHOTOS: The Conservative Party of Canada is still singin’ the same old tune – Stephen Harper’s. (CBC photo.) Below: Senator Mike Duffy, former Conservative cabinet member Jason Kenney, Manitoba Tory MP Candice Bergen, Ontario Court Judge Charles …
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Duffy’s Revenge and the Ashes of Stephen Harper’s Legacy
I'm pretty sure Mike Duffy must dream of telling Stephen Harper what he thinks of him. Dream of suing him, and his little monsters in the PMO, and his Senate stooges, for what they did to him.But his legal options are limited. His lawyer says he …
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Duffy Verdict: The Judge Slams Stephen Harper’s PMO
Well today was going to be the day Stephen Harper finally emerged from the closet where he has been hiding. The day the Duffy trial finally ended.But sadly for Great Feathered Leader it seems he's going to have to stay there a while lot longer. Or …
Continue readingdaveberta.ca – Alberta Politics: 2016 will mark the end of Senate Elections in Alberta
The Senatorial Selection Act, the law that governs Alberta’s unique Senate nominee elections, expires on Dec. 31, 2016. The longstanding policy of the Alberta New Democratic Party which supports the abolition of the Canadian Senate likely …
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Hermit Harper’s Horrible and Embarrassing Day
Well we still don't know where Stephen Harper is hiding, for there hasn't been a sighting in days. We don't know whether the man they're now calling Hermit Harper, is holed up in a closet, or living in a car, or getting plastic surge…
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Mike Duffy and the Ghastly Portrait of Stephen Harper
It was if the air was suddenly let out of the balloon. One moment the prosecutor was pounding Mike Duffy. The next moment he wasn't. The trial was suddenly adjourned. Ol' Duff was cut loose and left to float gently in the general direction of…
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Day Mike Duffy Pointed the Finger at Stephen Harper
It was the day Stephen Harper had been dreading. The one that has forced him to keep such a low profile some are calling him the invisible man of Parliament.Or depending on your point of view, the invisible maniac… Driven crazy by defeat.It was the …
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