On paid access
Shorter Brad Wall: As far as I’m concerned, paying large sums of money to cynical political operatives for insider access to decision-makers is just how business gets done with the…
Lobbying
Post-Democratic Trend Lines in Etobicoke
Since news broke of the decision by Toronto mayor candidate Rob Ford to step away from the mayor’s race and be replaced by his brother Doug the term “feudal” has…
Friday Morning Links
Assorted content to end your week. – Linda McQuaig writes that while the Cons don’t want to bother listening to the public about much of anything, they’ll always make time…
Ex-Harper aide charged with illegal lobbying, influence peddling
by: Obert Madondo | May 18, 2014 Obert Madondo, Editor, The Canadian Progressive The RCMP last week charged Bruce Carson, a former aide to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, with illegal…
New column day
Here, discussing what Martin Gilens and Benjamin Page found (PDF) in looking at which preferences actually shape U.S. public policy – and what needs to happen for the needs of…
Non-voters and Influence #nlpoli
There is a new scourge among us. An evil that causes “problems”. Russell Wangersky found them and wrote about them this past weekend. They are the people who do not…
Who is lobbying whom these days? #nlpoli
When it needed a lobbyist in Ottawa to monitor the federal environmental review process for its Kami project, Alderon Iron Ore turned to Summa Strategies and a well-connected fellow named…
Lobbying Act’s ban on lobbying by former ministers no hindrance if they’re hired as presidents and CEOs of lobby firms
A Conservative cabinet minister turned lobbying firm president, top row, centre right, with part of the team of lobbyists he supervises. Actual lobby group CEOs and their lobbying staffs may…
On self-interest
With Chuck Strahl’s massive conflict of interest between lobbying and patronage appointments already making news, the revelation that Vic Toews has found his way into the lobbying industry (having seemingly…
Former federal Tory Chuck Strahl’s lobbying activities break no laws, but highlight a problem
Lobbyists gather in the lobby of the House of Commons at Westminster. Below: Politician turned lobbyist Chuck Strahl, B.C. Lobbying Commissioner Elizabeth Denham. Notwithstanding his classification as a Designated Public…
Skinner and the useless provincial lobby law #nlpoli
Shawn Skinner used to be a provincial cabinet minister. Now he works for a construction company trying to get a major contract at Muskrat Falls. Skinner is the senior director…
Sunday Morning Links
This and that for your Sunday reading. – Robert Reich asks a few impertinent (but important) questions about plutocratic encroachment on the U.S.’ political system. – Catherine McKenna explains why…
Keystone XL Pipeline Lobbyists Have Deep Ties to White House
By: Pratap Chatterjee Keystone Pipeline Handout TransCanada and the provincial government of Alberta are paying former advisors to the Obama administration – as well as former staff of the Hillary…
Massive anti-tar sands protest to greet PM Stephen Harper in London
By: Obert Madondo Twitter: @Obiemad A massive anti-tar sands protest will greet Prime Minister Stephen Harper when he arrives in London on Thursday en route to the June 17-18 G8…
Tories spend on Keystone XL ads, while cutting environment funding
Canadians should be outraged that the Harper Conservatives are spending millions of taxpayers money lobbying for the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline in the U.S. while cutting environmental funding.…
Monday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material to start your week. – As would-be frackers show us exactly why it’s dangerous to give the corporate sector a veto over government action, Steven Shrybman suggests that…
Friday Morning Links
Assorted content for your Friday reading. – Michael Moss writes about the amount of time and money spent by corporate conglomerates to push consumers toward eating unhealthy food: The public…
Order of Canada for Stevie Cameron sets the right tone for the coming Year of Mulroney
Happy New Year … and this time I mean it! Author and cook Stevie Cameron wearing the official regalia of a member of the Order of Canada. Actual Order of…
On revealed connections
Simon Enoch’s study mapping corporate power in Saskatchewan may be one of the most important pieces of research I’ve seen in quite some time – and I’ll highly encourage visitors…
On needed advantages
Thanks in large part to an extremely active provincial leadership campaign, I haven’t discussed the evolution of the federal NDP over the past few months in as much detail as…