On shadow governments
Plenty of others are theorizing that it’s time for some radical action in response to the Cons’ continued contempt for democratic accountability. But I’ll take a few minutes to work…
accountability
Parliament in Review: May 3, 2012
Thursday, May 3 saw yet another debate over the Cons’ use of time allocation – this time respecting the omnibus budget bill which features so many radical changes that demand…
Parliament in Review: May 2, 2012
A combination of the one-year anniversary of Canada’s 2011 federal election and a relatively short day in Parliament left little room for a lot of debate on Wednesday, May 2.…
Parliament in Review – April 27, 2012
Friday, April 27 saw another day of relatively non-contentious debate on the main bill up for discussion in the House of Commons. But there was plenty of reason to question…
Parliament in Review – April 5, 2012
Thursday, April 5 was the final sitting day in the House of Commons before a two-week Easter break. And the debate was much less sharp than in previous days, as…
Recognizing real radicals
Britt’s Patterns of national behavior and abuse of power #3: “Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause…” Bill C-38, Judith Lavoie, Times Colonist, May 9, 2012 “…Over the past few…
Using taxis would save millions
Thirty-seven minister and junior ministers, each with a driver and a car in Ottawa. A quick calculation allowing for salaries, benefits, overtime and vehicle costs indicates at least $3.2 million…
*Cough*
Riddle me this. How many days does it take a Harper cabinet minister to do the right thing? If you’re Bev Oda, too many! “Bev Oda coughs up cash for…
Worksafe BC, not net-zero land
In its mandate, Worksafe BC lists a cardinal purpose: “To promote the prevention of workplace injury, illness, and disease.” Following the Burns Lake and Prince George sawmill explosions, both in…
An Oda apology and other notes
CLICK TO ENLARGE The cheeky folks at the Globe who do the celebrity photos have some fun with the Bev Oda Savoy swank affair. Slide 3 is devoted to Bev…
Financial disclosure for bloggers and others
Noted in the Globe, this headline is, shall we say, a little misleading in the Canadian context: “Why don’t political bloggers want us to know who’s funding them?”The vast majority…
New Song & Video: "Bev’s Crystal Chandelier"
Whooee! Well, friends an' foes, I reckon the latest Bev Oda schmozzle ain't anywhere near as important as the robocalls election fraud thing or the F35 deal but I had…
New Song & Video: "Bev’s Crystal Chandelier"
Whooee! Well, friends an' foes, I reckon the latest Bev Oda schmozzle ain't anywhere near as important as the robocalls election fraud thing or the F35 deal but I had…
New Song & Video: "Bev’s Crystal Chandelier"
Whooee! Well, friends an’ foes, I reckon the latest Bev Oda schmozzle ain’t anywhere near as important as the robocalls election fraud thing or the F35 deal but I had…
New Song & Video: "Bev’s Crystal Chandelier"
Whooee! Well, friends an’ foes, I reckon the latest Bev Oda schmozzle ain’t anywhere near as important as the robocalls election fraud thing or the F35 deal but I had…
A challenge to corporate media
British Columbia’s inept Liberals slide toward oblivion and Alberta’s long reigning Conservatives are already at the brink. No doubt, social media and online commentary contributes by impacting political dialog but…
Truthiness in BC
During the past week, this blog’s third birthday slipped by and I barely noticed because life is busier than ever. What began as an aim to gain a little writing…
RCMP take a unique approach
100 B.C. Mounties to probe sex harassment within force, Tamsyn Burgmann , The Canadian Press “British Columbia’s top RCMP officer says he’s talked to hundreds of women who work for…
Thursday Afternoon Links
This and that for your Thursday reading. – Lawrence Martin comments on the growing resonance of inequality as an issue for Canadian voters. But the most telling sign may be…
The Coyne chrysalis
”This isn’t about the planes, in other words, or costs, or accounting. This is about accountability. This is is about whether departments are answerable to their ministers, and whether ministers…