Canada’s Brittle Energy Infrastructure
Why are we facing the biggest price energy price increase since the oil shocks of the 1970s? Because we are all Tar Sands junkies.
March 2014
Ukraine needs help to overcome the Iron Law of Oligarchy
Daron Acemoglu’s articleon the Ukraine in today’s Globe & Mail is a must read for all who are concerned about the mammoth task facing Ukraine right now. Unlike so many…
Olivia’s takeover is now complete
We’ve even got the Sun! Okay, not really. But it’s fun – particularly on a day when I have taken over Lilley’s Byline.
Alberta, oil, and indoctrinating children
“Give us a child till he’s seven and we’ll have him for life”—a maxim some claim comes from St. Ignatius Loyola himself, founder of the Jesuits. Somewhat hackneyed but nonetheless…
March 14: Yet ANOTHER front page headline on Irving goodness
We’re still still dealing with Alward’s massive (and foolish) gift of our forests to Mr. Irving. Front page. Banner headline. Again. The key sentence (and perhaps a trifle too obvious…
My life as the son of an Alberta oil man
Alex (right) and father (left) riding dirt bikes. (Photo: Matt Sutton’s Facebook) by Matt Sutton In November, 2013, I drove to Lacombe, Alberta, to visit my Dad and his family,…
Joe Oliver Draws Criticism For Calling Canada a “21st Century Energy Superpower"
Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver is attending the East Coast Energy Conference this week, where he said: “Canada is emerging as a 21st century energy superpower – unmatched in reliability,…
Setting aside a default – Five factors
Traditionally there are three factors considered in setting aside a default. But Mountain View Farms Ltd. v. McQueen, 2014 ONCA 194 lists five: The court must consider the following three…
The 2014 Peoples’ Social Forum: Organizing the fight against the Right
The first ever pan-Canadian social forum will be held this year in Ottawa from August 21 to 24. More than 10,000 participants from all over Canada are expected to come…
Bill C-23 – Stealing Democracy Part IX: The Shackles On Elections Canada Advertising
Ever since Bill C-23 was tabled, I have been baffled by the fact that the bill so viciously curtails the ability of Elections Canada to advertise and communicate with voters…
Extending time to appeal by Crown
R. v. Hobbs, 2014 ONCA 183: The test for an extension for the Crown in these circumstances is the interests of justice, having regard to factors such as whether the…
Rick Mercer Denounces Tory MP Brad Butt’s Lies
As usual, Rick Mercer offers an unsparing assessment of his target, in this instance Tory MP Brad Butt and his outright lie about being a witness to voter fraud. Thanks…
Friday Morning Links
Assorted content to end your week. – The American Prospect writes about Thomas Piketty’s work on inequality – and how we’re just scratching the surface of the policy implications of…
When Liberal infighting is out.
Campaign co-chair for the federal Liberals in Ontario David McNaughton has made his first blunder. When somebody gives you their authority to do a job, you have to do it…
Cowichan Valley NDP hosts lecture on Left in BC
Cowichan Valley NDP hosts lecture on Left in BCSocial Event and Lecture with Historian Gordon Hak VIU Professor Gordon Hak The Cowichan Valley NDP invites you to a special afternoon…
Corporate Cash Stash Surpasses National Debt
Today’s National Balance Sheet Accounts indicate that the amount of cash held by private non-financial corporations in Canada soared from $591 billion in the third quarter of 2013 to $626…
140 Law – Legal Headlines for Friday, March 14, 2014
Here are the leading legal headlines from Wise Law on Twitter for Friday, March 14, 2014: Thousands sue nuclear giants over Japan Fukushima disaster Alleged bullying by teacher prompts BC…
The Worst In History?
When historians eventually get around to rendering judgement on the Harper Government, they will point to many things. They will certainly cite the gutting of Statistics Canada. Jeffrey Simpson writes:…
Political Eh-conomy Radio: In and out of crisis with Sam Gindin
Today’s podcast is a feature interview with fellow political economist Sam Gindin. I interrogate Sam about the political economy of the present: the exit from the 2007 crisis, the role…
Trying to Be A Normal Mom – Crafting My Caregiver Exit Strategy
When Nicholas was very young, I decided that my task was to help him live his life in a way that approximated ‘normal’. For us, that meant finding ways for…