Two political extremes battle it out in Parliament during Question Period
Job loss, poverty and strikes were at the top of the agenda as the N.D.P. and the Conservatives broke out in debate during Question Period yesterday.
House of Commons
A week in review
I've figured for quite some time that the goings-on in the House of Commons probably deserve plenty more focus than they receive - and have highlighted at least some of…
Something to Watch: Federal Liberals in Calgary
With the new seats coming federally in the House of Commons to the economic seat of Canada–Alberta–the province will finally get a more reasonable level of representation. No longer will…
New House of Commons Seating Plan
That's us over in the corner there. And Lizzy May got stuck with a Bloquiste. All's well. Link.
On consensus-building
Kady's post on the composition and chairing of committees notes that there's some risk the Cons could try to use their majority to rewrite the rules. But it's worth pointing…
“Don’t worry, it’s legal.”
“Don’t worry,” said the woman, “It’s legal.” This lass (same one as this post, actually) was commenting on the Conservative bypassing the spending limit on their 2008 campaign. Don’t worry,…
And The Contempt Continues
Before Parliament even resumes Cabinet Ministers are issuing decrees to Parliamentary committees:"Industry Minister Tony Clement said Thursday he will ask oil industry refiners, distributors and retailers to appear before a…
Principles of Parliamentary Democracy
Peace, Order & Good Government is the title a blog about exactly that, a recent post contained links to some opinion and reports from some individuals well versed in constitutional…
Will our Constitution Survive?
I think it is sad that the majority of Canadians don't understand the basic workings of their own government. This ignorance speaks to a major failure of the education systems…
Minority Governments for Dummies (and Tory PMs)
the voters elect the House of Commons to governthe leader of the current government (the government before the election) has the right to meet the House and attempt to gain…
To Green Party: Don’t Blame Democracy, Use It!
There has been a lot of talk lately about the exclusion of Elizabeth May in the leaders debate. May is the leader of the Green Party and was included last…
The Coalition is Dead – Someone Tell Stephen Harper
The idea of a coalition government is dead for the simple reason that it is not in Michael Ignatieff's political interest to enter into a coalition that would require him…
Democracy Election
While thousands worldwide sacrifice their lives for the right to free elections Canadians complain about having one.That is not to say there are no reasons for some Canadians not to…
Standing Up for Democracy
The following letter has been recently published at http://plblack99.blogspot.com/ , I do not know Mr Black and can only say that I agree wholeheartedly with him, we must indeed focus…
More Contempt, More Secrecy, More Stalling
I have been trying hard to NOT turn this site into an anti Harper Regime rant but it is very difficult given that said regime is constantly providing more ammunition…
Information is Essential.
With a federal election possibly in the offing in the near future I have been checking up on the actions of my current member of parliament. In doing so I…
Democracy in Peril?
“I am no fan of hyperbole. The notion that democracy in a safe, successful, wealthy country like Canada, constitutionally dedicated to “peace, order, and good government,” could be “in peril”…
For Richer or for Poorer
It seems that there are still some folks that cannot see the difference between taxpayer funding of political partys by a per vote subsidy and taxpayer funding by tax credits…
On Political Advertising and Funding.
With the recent round of 'advertising' by political partys and the character assassination contained in many of them one has to wonder what, if anything they have to do with…
Coalition a reality?
With the possibility of an election once again (still?) in the news it was good to see that Gov. Gen. David Johnston has been busy brushing up on constitutional governments…