Laura Ryckewaert’s report on the Cons’ Senate strategy has already received plenty of attention. But I’m more interested in a senior Conservative’s excuses for Stephen Harper’s actual appointees than what looks like another delay strategy in substance: The senior Conservative source said members of the Conservative Party are less uneasy
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Accidental Deliberations: Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – Mariana Mazzucato points out that important inventions tend to come from public financing aimed at the greater good – while noting that we should also look to ensure greater public returns on our collective investments: Images of tech entrepreneurs such as Mark
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Friday Morning Links
Assorted content to end your week. – Tim Harper writes that Stephen Harper’s “lone gunman” argument – already implausible in light of the number of Senators and staffers required to cover up the Clusterduff – is falling apart at the seams. But Gloria Galloway notes that the Senators can bail
Continue readingCanadian Political Viewpoints: An Abstract Posting
On a random side note, I’ve decided to close down the Canadian Political Philosophy blog; I’ve had enough delays in dealing with this blog, and the other one was a bit too time consuming to keep going. Perhaps I’ll change my mind, but if not, the issues talked about there
Continue readingCanadian Political Viewpoints: An Abstract Posting
On a random side note, I’ve decided to close down the Canadian Political Philosophy blog; I’ve had enough delays in dealing with this blog, and the other one was a bit too time consuming to keep going. Perhaps I’ll change my mind, but if not, the issue…
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Tkachuk and Stewart Olsen Succumb to Denialism, Senate-Style
Senate scandal – it’s not just for the rookies any more. Veteran Tory senators, Dave Tkachuk and Carolyn Stewart Olsen, have issued statements denying they knew anything about the backroom deal between Harper chief of staff, Nigel Wright, and the beleaguered Cavendish Cottager, Mike Duffy, to cover Duffy’s Senate tab.
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Senate/PMO Corruption Scandal Hits New Height
Did I just dream about the blackmail and corruption in the #PMO and Senate that CTV reported last night? #Duffy #cdnpoli— Saskboy K. (@saskboy) August 27, 2013 Two senators were named last night in a Bob Fife report, after he saw an incriminating email where the seators threatened fellow senator
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – Paul Kershaw highlights what’s most needed to support Canada’s younger generations: Even with all this personal adaptation, most in Gen X and Y can’t work their way out of the time and income squeeze when they start families. Since two earners bring
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: New column day
Here, on how the two Con appointees at the centre of Stephen Harper’s Senate are exactly the two who should have known better than to abuse the public trust. For further reading…– Brian Bergman and Dale Eisler offer the background on the Saskatchewan PCs’ scheme here, while CBC updated the
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Sunday Morning Links
This and that for your Sunday reading. – Not surprisingly, this week’s revelations about Pamela Wallin have set off plenty more discussion about what’s wrong with the Senate and its current beneficiaries. Andrew Coyne recognizes that the problem lies in the design of an institution based on patronage and unaccountability
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Senate Residence Requirements Are Not a Frivolous Formality
Canadian senators are appointed to represent their home province. Although some, like the barnstorming Cavendish Cottager, may appear to represent their party, not the country and not their province, that isn’t the obvious intent of the residency requirement. Senators are supposed to spend most of their time in their home
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: The Rot Starts At The Top
Regular readers of this space will know that I am no fan of Prime Minister Harper. Yesterday’s revelation that a “boot camp” for new Conservative Senators explicitly told the new Senators that partisan travel was a legitimate expense makes me downright furious. Three former Conservative senators at the heart of
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Accountability for thee, not for we
Marjory Lebreton makes clear that as far as she’s concerned, accountability begins where partisan Con affiliation ends: Senator Wallin is no longer a member of the Caucus and must be held accountable for her actions. And needless to say the converse is also true as far as Lebreton and the
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Senate expense scandal: Wallin responds to damning Deloitte report
Sen. Pamela Wallin responds to damning Deloitte report on the Senate expense scandal, which alleges she may have tried to cover up her $140,000 fraudulent claims. The post Senate expense scandal: Wallin responds to damning Deloitte report appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingImpolitical: Chickens roosting day, etc.
Harper’s chickens, that is: “Senator Wallin audit details set for public release.” One upside for Wallin, she has one of the best litigators in Toronto representing her (pictured in the CBC link). One thing of interest in this Postmedia report that could hint at more possible trouble for, I’m assuming,
Continue readingImpolitical: Chickens roosting day, etc.
Harper’s chickens, that is: “Senator Wallin audit details set for public release.” One upside for Wallin, she has one of the best litigators in Toronto representing her (pictured in the CBC link).
One thing of interest in this Postmedia report that could hint at more possible trouble for, I’m assuming, Conservatives:
In their report, the auditors write that part of Wallin’s inappropriate costs were for “partisan related activity, such as fundraising.” Her lawyers cite as an example a May 27, 2011, event for former cabinet minister Bev Oda, who resigned in July 2012 over her own spending scandal, which was made famous by a $16 glass of orange juice charged to taxpayers.
At the Oda event, Wallin talked about Oda’s ministerial role overseeing intenrational [sic] development, as well as the Afghanistan file, which Wallin knew from her work chairing the Senate’s defence committee. Her lawyer’s letter notes that fundraising events took place outside of election campaigns, involved talking about Senate-related matters, and that “this was generally accepted practice,” suggesting that others in the Senate have done the same.
Generally accepted practice, says Wallin’s lawyer.
Also of note, a possible strategy suggested by Ivison that could come out of the Senate Supreme Court reference:
The Conservatives argue that the Senate can be abolished under the constitution’s amending formula — section 38 — which states that any changes to the Senate would merely required resolutions in the House of Commons, Senate and seven provinces, representing 50% of the population (rather than unanimous approval).
If the Supreme Court agrees, it seems to me that we will see the Conservatives launch a full-on campaign for Senate abolition, in an effort to insulate Mr. Harper from accusations of being the Red Chamber’s patron. There appear few lengths to which this prime minister will not now go to distance himself from Mike Duffy, Patrick Brazeau and Pamela Wallin — three of his 59 Red Chamber appointments.
A full-on campaign for abolition by Harper et al. as a matter of political expediency would have absolutely zero integrity or credibility, as Ivison himself hints. It’s not clear the Court will rule that abolition could happen under the 7/50 formula in any event. Peter Russell is of the view that unanimity would be required:
I would tend to agree with Mr. Russell. But, that’s all Senate reference stuff, down the road a bit. Today it’s all about Wallin’s audit and it is at the doorstep of the one who appointed her.
Continue readingImpolitical: Chickens roosting day, etc.
Harper’s chickens, that is: “Senator Wallin audit details set for public release.” One upside for Wallin, she has one of the best litigators in Toronto representing her (pictured in the CBC link). One thing of interest in this Postmedia report that could hint at more possible trouble for, I’m assuming,
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Sen. Duffy changed bank address after Senate audit announced: RCMP
The RCMP now alleges that Sen. Mike Duffy changed his banking address from Ontario to PEI just four days after the Senate announced an internal audit into the senator’s fraudulent expense claims. The post Sen. Duffy changed bank address after Senate audit announced: RCMP appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Mike Duffy Wants The Truth Known?
Is he just really bad at figuring out where his legal primary residence is? Is Duffy a victim of Harper PMO corruption? Seems like a willing victim until just recently.
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Sen. Brazeau’s fraudulent expense claims a breach of trust: RCMP
Senator Patrick Brazeau fraudulent Senate living and travel and expense claims are a breach of trust, according to a sworn RCMP affidavit filed in an Ottawa court on Thursday. The post Sen. Brazeau’s fraudulent expense claims a breach of trust: RCMP appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
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