Senate Committees: How The Other Place Can Redeem Itself
I'm watching a very interesting Senate committee with two admirals from the Canadian Forces, talking about the capacity and organization, as well as the future mandate of, the Reserve Forces,…
Senate
Parliament In Review: October 3, 2011
Monday, October 3 saw another day dedicated largely to debate of the Cons' anti-refugee bill. The Big IssueAs might be expected after several days of debate, the Cons' single set…
Parliament In Review: September 30, 2011
The Harper Conservatives' choice to talk about everything but the economy continued on September 30, with the day's debate taken up by the Cons' anti-refugee bill as well as a…
Aussie Landholders Lock Gates to Keep Out Coal Seam Gas Industry
IN AUSTRALIA, landholders are responding to the country’s rush to exploit massive reserves of unconventional coal seam gas with a simple but defiant gesture. They’re locking their gates. More than…
Coming soon to a country near you…
Yes, it's telling that Stephen Harper's spin on the U.S. debt ceiling crisis is to pretend that the problem has more to do with "the U.S. debt and fiscal situation"…
Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading.- Christopher Michael points out the real problem underlying the News of the World's scandalous demise:The Sun is either clairvoyant at predicting the results…
Monday Evening Links
Miscellaneous material for your Monday reading.- Janyce McGregor's article on the perils of Senate reform is well worth a read in general. But let's particularly highlight an issue I've raised…
Saturday Morning Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading.- Tabatha Southey eviscerates the Cons' determination to force Canadians into a state of constant and unregulated online surveillance at their own expense:Bill C-51 seems…
Thursday Morning Links
This and that for your Thursday reading.- Paul Wells is pleased to have received some response about how the Cons claim to be saving money. But it's worth taking a…
Wednesday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material for your mid-week reading.- Adam Radwanski points out how Stephen Harper's continuing Senate embarrassment figures to play into the NDP's hands:If Mr. Harper was looking to signal once…
The Senate bill is a distraction
The government tabled their revamped Senate reform bill yesterday, complete with a new nine-year term clause and the ability to reappoint a Senator if their term should be interrupted –…
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…
If Harper Was Being Serious…
I would be behind him all the way. But, this is just our sovereign lord throwing a temper tantrum. He wants an elected Senate in order to hobble government forever.…
All according to plan
Oh, that poor, unfortunate Stephen Harper. If he could have counted on his party's Senate majority to allow its own institution to be reformed, he might have faced some pressure…
My take on Senate reform
We need the Senate, but not as it is now. The current Senate is far too inefective, inefficient, and undemocratic. I don't agree with Stephen Harper much, but I do…
Saturday Morning Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading.- Gerald Caplan has a modest suggestion to ensure the Senate doesn't do any more avoidable harm to Canada's democracy:That we have no need for…
On Senate reform, Rae should choose his battles more carefully
For the record, I am still trying to figure out how I think Canada could best tackle the problem of a 19th Century Senate in the 21st Century. I am…
Senate protester DePape offered job by Michael Moore
Doc maker Michael Moore backs rogue page over stunt - thestar.com "For a young person to do that and to do it peacefully, and quietly and with grace, I thought…
No one can deny DePape the courage of her convictions
That was one way to start a conversation! In a country with an electorate difficult to fire up (livid over raccoon abuse in Toronto, indifferent to Canada’s involvement in Libya,…