On comparative advantages
Naturally, Jack Layton's leave of absence has raised plenty of speculation as to what will happen on Canada's opposition benches over the summer (and perhaps beyond). But Tim Powers hints…
libs
Parliament In Review: June 22, 2011
The second-last day of debates in this spring's session dealt mostly with Bruce Hyer's motion on small business. But lest anybody think there would be agreement on the details of…
Compare and contrast
One party's response to a limited amount of Parliamentary resources:“New Democrat MPs were responsible for 56 per cent of all private members’ motions, and 59 per cent of all private…
On stretches
Shorter Barbara Yaffe:Of course we can find good news for Liberals - just as long as we get creative in defining the term!Update: Actually, there's a serious point to be…
Signs of decay
I'm not sure whether the Libs think their base will be more fired up by their clinging to the trappings of past power to prevent newly-elected MPs from doing their…
Still hard at work
In case there was any doubt whether the NDP's hard-earned reputation as the most productive caucus in Ottawa would change as the party moved into its new role as Official…
Thursday Afternoon Links
This and that for your Thursday reading.- Andrew Jackson points out and sums up a Statistics Canada study showing how much possible revenue is lost to the underground economy:Statscan have…
Kept on track
Impolitical rightly points out that the Harper Cons are well on their way to implementing every single odious policy that was rightly labeled as unacceptable overreach when included in Deficit…
On self-defeating strategies
I've made the point when it comes to other issues. But apparently there's a need to make a more general statement for the benefit of the Libs. So here goes:You…
On maturing processes
Let's take a look at a couple of final issues from #vancon2011, starting with the series of machinations around resolutions ruling out merger or non-compete agreements with the Liberals.As I…
Stonewalled
Not that it should come as much surprise that the release of the first report (PDF) from the Afghan detainee document panel fits the pattern of delay and distraction from…
Parliament In Review: June 14, 2011
With the debate over Libya taking up the time for debate, yesterday didn't see quite as much of a range of issues discussed as some previous days. However, there's still…
Parliament In Review: June 13, 2011
As I'd suspected, there looks to be plenty of material for a review post from just a day's worth of events in the House of Commons. So here's an inaugural…
Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading.- I'll agree with Barbara Yaffe that one of the most important tasks for the Cons as a majority government will be to avoid…
Not yet satisfied
Eric highlights Environics' polling as to how happy supporters of various parties are with last month's federal election results. And the findings look to bode about as well as possible…
You may not have noticed, but…
...the first vote on budgetary policy in Canada's new Parliament took place on Wednesday, with the parties taking their positions on the Libs' budget subamendment. And it may make for…
On destructive suggestions
Lest there be any doubt, one of the most important ways an opposition party can have influence in a majority Parliament is by choosing issues to highlight, thereby creating a…
Moved to action
It remains to be seen how far the NDP will get in pushing for all parties to engage in meaningful discussion about policy. But if you're wondering whether there's already…
One of these things is not like the others
One of these things just doesn't belong. See if you can spot the difference in the following single-election results - and consider what it might mean for each party's future…
On dominance
Meanwhile, the obvious potential for growth in NDP support figures to have some rather important effects on the Cons' strategy as well. After all, their current coalition of support left…