TVO’s The Agenda: Faith in Secularism – Akaash Maharaj Videocast
Speaking on TVOntario’s The Agenda with Steve Paikin, I make the case that separation of church and state is as much in the interests of the church as it is…
Canada
The Canada Post Filibuster Liveblog
Will the resolution to the Canada Post lockout come before your credit card bill that’s stuck in the mail? Will the Conservatives try to make Jack Layton cry by yelling…
New Contract Beats Up on Ontario Nurses
On 3 June 2011, an arbitration panel handed down the new contract for the majority of Ontario hospital nurses. The panel was set up when negotiations between the Ontario Hospital…
Trashy goes to Parliament!
For a political junkie like me, last night was one of those “special” times of my life. Courtesy of an invite by an ex-NDP MP through a colleague of my…
Conservative back to work legislastion breaks the law and could result in lasting consequences
To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth: On back to work legislation. Whoa, deja vu.Excerpts:It's worth noting that even lawyers aren't evading it as much as they used to.…
Harper’s plans for the Senate will create a showdown against the provinces.
Senate showdown looms - thestar.comOn one side, there will be the Conservative government. On the other side will be the opposition parties (or, at least the NDP) and the provinces…
On back to work legislation. Whoa, deja vu.
So, another conservative (note the small "c") government, another round of back to work legislation. Canada violates its international obligations yet again, and is again grouped with such shining lights…
New Davenport NDP MP Andrew Cash fighting for justice for Toronto business owners affected by the G20
Ottawa agrees to review G20 claims from Toronto business owners - thestar.comExcerpt:NDP MP Andrew Cash (Davenport) accused the government of trying to bury businesses in paperwork hoping they will “just…
When questions were answered…
Before scripted responses in QP. Before “messaging”. Before every utterance from a Minister’s mouth had to be cleared by the PMO, sitting MP’s actually communicated directly with their constituents and…
The Importance of a Technology “Anchor”
Not a long post from me today, but just a link to an article in the Globe and Mail that explains what RIM’s misfortunes could mean for the city of…
Hi, I am Jack, and I am a recovering socialist
Canadian New Democratic Party (NDP) held in Vancouver its fiftieth national congress since its foundation. It is presently Canada’s official opposition in the House of Commons, and arguably one of…
Time to end growth?
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Canada's economic prospects are looking good. In its latest global forecast of economic activity, this year we will have the highest GDP growth…
Do as I say, not as I do…
Given the hoops that Public Servants are forced to jump through to be able to have coffee available at a meeting, this type of stuff REALLY pisses me off! Prime…
Bangladesh Surpasses Solar Energy Goal of One Million Homes, Sets New Target
I’ve declared today to be “Good News Friday” on 350orbust. It doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of bad news out there, but today we’re going to focus on some…
On Riots & Anarchists: the Media’s Reactionary Propaganda
Good afternoon Vancouver, how’s your head? The hand-wringing and spinning has commenced in full force now in the wake of the riot which gripped the downtown core after the Canucks…
Paying for It – prostitution minus gender – A review of the new comics memoir by Chester Brown
A new comics-memoir from the author who brought us Louis Riel looks at the benefits of paying for sex.
On governance (4): The courts
Ah, the courts. Probably the only arm of the government that everyone has some contact with at some point or another. Sure, some people go to the House, or visit…
Harper wants 100% control of the media, not just 90%
LAWRENCE MARTIN: Shades of Nixon: The PM’s media suspicions | iPolitics Harper is aiming to wage a war against the so-called Liberal media - the media of which 90% supported…
On governance (3): The Crown.
So, yeah. The Crown. This could be a really short post -- hell, by my standards, it probably will be.Here's the thing. Constitutionally, we need the Crown. We can't get…
On governance (2): Parliament
This one's going to be a little disconnected. The overarching thread, as said yesterday, is figuring out how to adjust our governing institutions to suit the importance of the principle…