Harper Embarrasses Himself, His Office and Canada to Boot
The president’s gone, Mr. Harper. You can come out now. Give the man his due, Stephen Harper towers over every other prime minister before him in how he has managed…
2014
Aristotle contra the math stick: Magic numbers redux
In the last post I explored how magic numbers, such as a 90% debt-to-GDP ratio or a 2% inflation target, at once over-simplify and stifle economic policy debate. The role…
Fracking in Canada: Why the Council of Canadians’ new “Fracktivist’s Toolkit” matters
by: Obert Madondo In this age of the Harper Conservatives and a rampaging fossil fuel industry, Canadian anti-fracking activism requires more than a sense of environmental and social justice. It…
Nebraska Court Decision Bad News For Keystone Pipeline
Keystone XL access shut down by Lancaster County Judge Oil pipeline faces prospect of more delays because of staunch opposition.Now, unless the law is reinstated by a higher court, Calgary-based…
158. Thorium Policy
WHEREAS Canada is a net exporter of energy products and possesses a greater proportion of thorium to uranium;WHEREAS alternative forms of energy are quickly gaining traction in the world’s energy…
Taking a Break – It’s a Very Good Thing
Hello fellow caregivers! I am taking a break with my husband to nurture ourselves and each other. I will still blog, but less frequently than usual over the next couple…
Alcoholism and conditions not to consume alcohol
P.A.G., O.J. No. 5837 (OCJ, Fraser J): 104 In terms of the alcohol and drugs, I have one concern that although there’s some underlying suggestion that that’s an issue here,…
Quebecor entry a positive development but more action required to stop cell phone price-gouging after Big Three gobble up most of key spectrum assets
2387269348_477cf7209c.jpg Government must ensure more choice to save Canadians from price-gouging and disrespectful customer service FEBRUARY 19, 2014 – Responding to today’s announcement of the results of a crucial auction…
Our sinister dual state: Chris Hedges
On Thursday the former National Security Agency official and whistle-blower William E. Binney and I will debate Stewart A. Baker, a former general counsel for the NSA, P.J. Crowley, a…
Live from Montreal! ( #lib14 #lpc )
I have arrived in Montreal and have checked into my hotel. I’m staying kitty corner from the Montreal Convention Centre (Palais des congrès de Montréal) and I’m looking forward to…
Danielle Takacs running in Brant For LPC Nomination
We’ve had a lot of bloggers (both former and current) decide to drop their hat into running for both provincial and federal nominations for political parties, and on the eve…
Stephen Harper’s meanness may backfire
In politics, meanness can go only so far. Ontario’s Mike Harris Conservatives discovered that — albeit only after Harris had stepped down as premier. Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s federal Conservatives…
Time of Essence clause where parties not ready to close at closing date
2329131 Ontario Inc. v. Carlyle Development Corp., 2014 ONCA 132: The motion judge correctly held that, as the parties were not ready to close on August 3, the appellants could…
What is the matter with these people?
Hudak says unions should compete for government contracts: The Progressive Conservatives want to force Ontario’s public sector unions to compete for contracts to provide government services in order to save…
Creative Funding for Green Startups
You are an entrepreneur with a fantastic idea for a green startup. You go to the bank for funding but they turn you down. What do you do? Fear not,…
David Suzuki: Trading water for fuel is fracking crazy
Fracking protest in New Brunswick (photo: Colin McPhail) It would be difficult to live without oil and gas. But it would be impossible to live without water. Yet, in our…
Completing a PhD is like Sailing. If you don’t know how to do either.
On December 18th, 2013, I sat in a stodgy IT classroom in Carleton University (Ottawa), surrounded by five extremely intelligent people (one via Skype) who were there to challenge, provoke,…
Will Christie Clark Infect British Columbia with the Alberta Disease?
When a government mired in debt and deficits allows itself to become dependent on royalties from a non-renewable resource to make up 30% of its general revenues it might just…