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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CANADIAN PROGRESSIVE WORLD: Canada’s Worst Senator Patrick Brazeau Disappears From Twitter
No comment yet from Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who appointed Brazeau to the Senate in 2008. On Wednesday, I blogged about the Conservative Senator, who called Canadian Press reporter Jennifer Ditchburn a “bitch” on Twitter. Senator Brazeau was mad that the reporter had highlighted his poor performance record in Canada’s appointed
Continue readingCANADIAN PROGRESSIVE WORLD: Worst Canadian in The World: Senator Patrick Brazeau
Meet Patrick Brazeau (pictured), the sexist Canadian senator who called Ottawa-based reporter, Jennifer Ditchburn, a bitch yesterday. Her crime: she’d done her job by highlighting his poor attendance record in Canada’s appointed upper house of Parliament. He immediately issued a “reluctant” apology. Why did Brazeau call the reporter a bitch?
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Great event with Stephane Dion in Toronto on Saturday
If you’re in Toronto on Saturday (May 26th) this is where you should be, as the Edward Blake Society presents a pub night and discussion on Canadian democracy and reform with former Liberal leader (and still number one in my heart) Stephane Dion. It begins at 6pm at Pauper’s Pub,
Continue readingDavid Climenhaga's Alberta Diary: Ian Urquhart and Len Bracko: a Senate voting strategy for progressive Alberta citizens
The Senate chamber – may not be exactly as illustrated. Below: Somewhat progressive ‘Senatorial’ candidates Ian Urquhart and Len Bracko, in his Senatorial toga; Ralph Waldo Emerson. Since the Alberta government is committed to hosing away an extra $3 million of our tax dollars on Monday on the ridiculous exercise
Continue readingBigCityLib Strikes Back: Same Thing Might Work For Senate Reform
A tough-on-crime Conservative senator said murderers should be provided with the tools to kill themselves in jail. Abolition by attrition, as it were.
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: So Much For Senate Reform
“The Upper House remains a dumping ground for the favoured cronies of the prime minister,” a righteous Stephen Harper proclaimed back in 2004. As is always the case with this prime minister, it is instructive to compare his past statements with his present practice. His recent Senate appointments provide yet
Continue readingThe Sir Robert Bond Papers: So much for senate reform #nlpoli #cdnpoli
Surely to mercy, if Prime Minister Stephen Harper was halfway serious about senate reform he could find someone else from Newfoundland and Labrador besides Norm Doyle to take up a senate seat. Maybe Harper could have found someone other than a guy who has been recycled more times than a
Continue readingBlunt Objects: Senate Committees: How The Other Place Can Redeem Itself
I’m watching a very interesting Senate committee with two admirals from the Canadian Forces, talking about the capacity and organization, as well as the future mandate of, the Reserve Forces, especially given the winding-down of the Afghanistan mission…
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Stéphane Dion on senate reform
I’ve long argued that the Conservative strategy on Senate reform is deeply flawed, and bad for both Western Canada and effective governance.With debate underway on the latest Conservative Senate reform bill, one that seems destined to pass given their …
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Will anyone stand-up for equality of parliamentary representation?
With our parliamentarians having returned to Ottawa this week, it seems appropriate to turn our attention to just how our parliament is composed. Representation in the House of Commons is sure to be a contentious issue once again, and I’m having a ha…
Continue readingBigCityLib Strikes Back: Senate Reform In A Nutshell
“I think it’s pretty simple, he might not even want this form of Senate reform, but it appeals to his base in the West,” said Prof. [Ned] Franks. “You’ve got to remember the ‘Triple E Senate,’ which is a Canadian brand of tooth paste as f…
Continue readingBigCityLib Strikes Back: The Emptiest Of Empty Threats
He’s going to stiff Westerners over their precious Triple-E? Not likely. He’s going to open The Constitution, followed a minute later by every group with complaint (legit or not) demanding that their complaint be dealt with now its open? If Senate Refo…
Continue readingThe Senate bill is a distraction
The government tabled their revamped Senate reform bill yesterday, complete with a new nine-year term clause and the ability to reappoint a Senator if their term should be interrupted – but only to complete that sole nine-year term. Not…
Continue readingThe Equivocator: Guest Blog: Micah Goldberg on Senate Reform
In America, the Book, Samantha Bee half-jokingly wrote that Canadians were too polite to cause a fuss over our redundant Senate. Seemingly, the times have changed. Senate reform has recently become a fairly hot topic in Canada, especially since our … Continue reading →
Continue readingQui est pour un référendum sur la réforme du Sénat?
Qui aurait bien de retour en mai, après que les conservateurs du Canada baigné dans leur glorieuse victoire sur les libéraux autant haï dans l’élection fédérale, que l’un des plus grands thèmes de confusion et de désaccord interne au parti ser…
Continue readingCalgaryGrit: Not a Leader
That was how Stephen Harper described Stephane Dion in 2008, when “unelected” and “unaccountable” Liberal senators blocked Harper’s senate reform legislation.I look forward to the new attack ads:Tory senator questions colleagues’ loyalty to HarperOTTAW…
Continue readingJohnny Boy Charest, Are You Insane??
I’m really convinced our premier has lost it. I’m seriously wondering if he’s on drugs. Sometimes I wonder if we have a need to do things so differently just for the hell of it. It really looks like Johnny Boy is prepared to take the feds to court over senate reform. He doesn’t . . . → Read More: Johnny Boy Charest, Are You Insane??
Continue readingPaper Dynamite Online: In Defense Of The Worst Idea: Senate Reform And Proportional Representation (sort of)
Yesterday, Gerald Caplan wrote an op-ed for the Globe and Mail titled "Electing the Senate: worst idea in the history of the planet." I’m sure, if push came to shove, Mr. Caplan could probably come up with an even worse public policy. For starters, he may want to read his party’s Sherbrooke Declaration, it’s chalk full of earth shatteringly stupid ideas.Putting the hyperbole aside – his, not mine
Continue readingAwww! Jason Kenney! My Heart Is Breaking! Somebody Get Him a Fainting Couch!
Poor Jason Kenney! By extension, poor, poor Harpercons! My heart bleeds for you! Now we understand why Stevie Spiteful wants to have elected senators. It appears to be all about his dear precious Alberta, a province that sends six senators to the red chamber to represent them. Jason Kenney’s digestive tract is twisted . . . → Read More: Awww! Jason Kenney! My Heart Is Breaking! Somebody Get Him a Fainting Couch!
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