On democratic legitimacy of the courts
My last post talked about how judges work with each other’s decisions. Today, I’d like to take a bird’s eye look at the relationship between the judiciary and Parliament. Unelected…
parliament
RIP, Honorable Jack Layton!
I’m still shocked by the untimely passing this morning of the Federal NDP leader, Jack Layton, at the age of 61. Canada has lost a great champion. Jack will be…
The purpose of blawgs
More than a year ago I wrote a post entitled “How lawyers think.” Its basic idea is that a lawyer’s job is to maximize legal protection of his client’s rights.…
What Jack Layton Sees In Interim NDP Leader Nycole Turmel
The intensifying scrutiny of Nycole Turmel, NDP leader Jack Layton’s choice to replace him while he’s away for cancer treatment is healthy for Canada’s democracy. But the negativity by the…
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…
Banning floor crossing is a bad idea
I think Peter Stoffer is coming from a good place and I think his intentions are pure, but I feel strongly that banning floor crossing is a bad idea that,…
That ‘disrespectful’ Brigette sparks the wrath of Ottawa’s Villagers
Really, it's just so awkward when the lower orders forget their rightful station in the order of things. The harrumphing, glaring and disdainful sniffing from the self-appointed members of Ottawa's…
Vous n’êtes pas seul, mes frères d’armes. Un gouvernement libéral ne pas chercher à porter atteinte à Québec
Récemment, on a eu des nouvelles de plus en plus provenant d'Ottawa témoigne de l'importance croissante des provinces de l'Ouest, comme l'Alberta et la Colombie-Britannique, en politique fédérale. Ce qui…
Whose interests, Jack?
During a press conference, the issue of the referendum for independence of Quebec came up, and Jack Layton did a bit of dodging and weaving around the issue. Finally, he…
The Interim Leadership and Bob Rae
This is incredible: some unnamed MPs or Senators seem to think that one candidate for the Interim Leadership should renounce any right to run for permanent leader EVEN IF THE…
The Journey: From the Railway Committee Room to the Reading Room
Parliament is a place of symbolism. Today, the Liberal Party caucus said goodbye to Michael Ignatieff in the Railway Committee Room, its last meeting there. Jack Layton's NDP will be…
Harper’s Right to Appoint Senators
Lot's of faux indignation amongst media and bloggers and politicians over Harper's decistion to appoint three senators, including two who ran for election to the House of Commons, and lost.…
“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,…
An open letter to new MPs
Dear new MPs, Congratulations on being elected! You've every right to be excited - as a fellow Canadian who is hoping that the house can be changed, I'm excited too.…
Harper’s Constitutional Double Down Strategy
This was meant to be a reply to the cat’s latest column, regarding Stephen Harper’s outrageous stance on forming government in a minority situation in parliament. Something went wrong with…
The Liberal Nuclear Option
I’ve suggested this before but here it is again in brief, can anyone explain to me what the downside of this would be for the Liberals? Nuclear Option: The Liberal…
The Real Tyrant in Canada is You
Today, as the Liberals put forward a motion to find the Conservative government in contempt for withholding information and misleading parliament, House government leader John Baird used the phrase “Tyranny…
Tyranny of the Majority
Ok, some somebody doesn’t know what Tyranny means or actually, what democracy means. That somebody today is Scott Armstrong. Here’s the quote from the Globe and Mail article regarding this…
Tyranny of the Majority
Ok, some somebody doesn’t know what Tyranny means or actually, what democracy means. That somebody today is Scott Armstrong. Here’s the quote from the Globe and Mail article regarding this…
Go to the Dance
I’ve got an analogy for the Conservtive party’s stance over the possibility of a coalition. They’re just clever bullies, and they should be treated appropriately. Think back to high school.…