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Is Stephen Harper Too Arrogant For His (And Canada's) Own Good?
Posted by
bgrice 8 days ago
(http://feedproxy.google.com)
Akaash Maharaj - National Post: Afghan Amnesia
Posted by
Akaash 14 days ago
(http://www.maharaj.org)
The current government is unwilling to engage in an honest national debate over the war in Afghanistan because it believes that Canadians prefer easy lies to hard truths. But Canadians are not the fools or the cowards that such politicians take us for.
Harper's Disdain for democracy continues
Posted by
younglib 20 days ago
(http://youngpeopleforchange.blogspot.com)
Stephen Harper will propose new Senate Reform bills in the next session, according to the Hill Times. It may look to some like Harper is acting to bring more democracy to Canada, after he has exhibited shameful disdain for democracy in prorogation. However, the way in which Harper proposes to bring this reform goes against our form of government just as much as prorogation.
Stephen Harper is seeking to superimpose bills passed by Parliament onto the Constitution, and make them override the clauses in the constitution regarding the Senate. The proper procedure that experts have identified would be to follow the usual procedure for such amendments, namely obtaining consent of 7 provinces with more than 50% of Canada's population.
Stephen Harper may say he wants to bring more democracy with these bills, but if he proposes them, that will be yet another undemocratic action in a growing list....
Stephen Harper is seeking to superimpose bills passed by Parliament onto the Constitution, and make them override the clauses in the constitution regarding the Senate. The proper procedure that experts have identified would be to follow the usual procedure for such amendments, namely obtaining consent of 7 provinces with more than 50% of Canada's population.
Stephen Harper may say he wants to bring more democracy with these bills, but if he proposes them, that will be yet another undemocratic action in a growing list....
The product of all of Harper's hard work. From the Rick Mercer report:
...
Take Away Harper's Right to Prorogue
Posted by
younglib 17 days ago
(http://youngpeopleforchange.blogspot.com)
Technically, of course, it is not within the Prime Minister's purview to prorogue Parliament, as he is required by law to make this request to the Governor General. The Governor General could refuse, but, as with all monarchical powers, usually does not exert her right to deny Prime Ministers' requests. Effectively then, the Prime Minister now wields power he was not intended to have. We have seen the abuses, thanks to Stephen Harper, that can occur when this power is granted to a Prime Minister. Therefore, it seems only sensible that this power should be taken away from the Prime Minister, and given to those who would stop such an abuse of power.
Jack Layton has proposed to give this power to the MPs in the House of Commons. Only if a majority of MPs were to agree to the suspension of Parliament would Parliament be prorogued. The intent is obviously to prevent Prime Ministers from succumbing to their undemocratic and partisan tendencies.
This is proposal is well...
Jack Layton has proposed to give this power to the MPs in the House of Commons. Only if a majority of MPs were to agree to the suspension of Parliament would Parliament be prorogued. The intent is obviously to prevent Prime Ministers from succumbing to their undemocratic and partisan tendencies.
This is proposal is well...
Harper Calls his own Prorogation Anti-democratic
Posted by
younglib 25 days ago
(http://youngpeopleforchange.blogspot.com)
Here is what Stephen Harper thinks about governments avoiding dissent: "When government starts trying to cancel dissent or avoid dissent is frankly when it’s rapidly losing its moral authority to govern."
Too bad for Canadians that that was in 2005. I guess even the great tactician has to change his mind sometimes.
...
Too bad for Canadians that that was in 2005. I guess even the great tactician has to change his mind sometimes.
"I do not know Tom Flanagan"
Posted by
BlogBot 26 days ago
(http://www.confessionsofaliberalmind.com)
Shelly Glover, Conservative MP, has never met the architect of Stephen Harper's electoral success. She also has no idea who the prominent commentator is. Here are my theories why.
1) New Conservative memo, that in the media's presence all Con MP's must disavow any knowledge of Flanagan.
2) THE PMO has decided to recreate the history of their electoral success, a new history minus Tom Flanagan
3) Since Tom Flanagan now has his own opinion, the PMO is making sure their MP's never exercise theirs with their iron fist.
Enjoy the clip.
1) New Conservative memo, that in the media's presence all Con MP's must disavow any knowledge of Flanagan.
2) THE PMO has decided to recreate the history of their electoral success, a new history minus Tom Flanagan
3) Since Tom Flanagan now has his own opinion, the PMO is making sure their MP's never exercise theirs with their iron fist.
Enjoy the clip.
Harper on Democracy: It causes instability
Posted by
younglib 26 days ago
(http://youngpeopleforchange.blogspot.com)
It seems that, instead of sticking to his mediocre defences for proroguing Parliament, Stephen Harper has felt the compunction to provide another defence more ludicrous than the rest. In an interview with BNN, Harper first claimed that his move to prorogue Parliament has not hurt Canadian democracy. He followed this willfully blind comment with the following:
"As soon as parliament comes back, we're in a minority Parliament situation and the first thing that happens is a vote of confidence and there will be votes of confidence and election speculation for every single week after that for the rest of the year That's the kind of instability I think that markets are actually worried about."
Harper claimed this so as to be able to purport that prorogation was of benefit to the economy, as it eliminates the instability caused by democracy. This shows either a great lack of political tact, or a profound undervaluing of democracy.
Democracy does not exist to s...
"As soon as parliament comes back, we're in a minority Parliament situation and the first thing that happens is a vote of confidence and there will be votes of confidence and election speculation for every single week after that for the rest of the year That's the kind of instability I think that markets are actually worried about."
Harper claimed this so as to be able to purport that prorogation was of benefit to the economy, as it eliminates the instability caused by democracy. This shows either a great lack of political tact, or a profound undervaluing of democracy.
Democracy does not exist to s...
Conservative Fundraising Ethics Questioned
Posted by
CastorRouge 30 days ago
(http://castorrouge.blogspot.com)
Looks like CIMS strikes again. It’s also interesting that Mike Duffy’s office is being used to solicit donations. When an unelected, insider Senator is the most charismatic draw for a party that ran against all those things, you know they’re really not confident with their bench strength.
Simcoe County resident wonders how Tory senator got his name
The Free Press – Jan. 6th, 2010.
Recently I opened my email to find a note from Mike Duffy, representing the Conservative Party of Canada, appealing for financial support.
While many won't find this of any interest, I am deeply concerned because he used my legal name and not the name I use in everyday activities.
Somehow t...
Simcoe County resident wonders how Tory senator got his name
The Free Press – Jan. 6th, 2010.
Recently I opened my email to find a note from Mike Duffy, representing the Conservative Party of Canada, appealing for financial support.
While many won't find this of any interest, I am deeply concerned because he used my legal name and not the name I use in everyday activities.
Somehow t...
Extending the Protest
Posted by
Yappa 29 days ago
(http://yappadingding.blogspot.com)
Across Canada, rallies are scheduled for January 23, and tens of thousands of Canadians have already signed up to participate.
That's fabulous, but most Canadians are older and many older people are not comfortable with the idea of rallies. In addition many Canadians live too far away from a scheduled rally to attend, or they won't be able to get off work, or they have kids, or lots of other reasons why the rally won't work for them. In addition, it is quite possible (given that it's January) that the weather will prevent many people from attending.
We need to think of some ways of extending the January 23 protest... preferably something that Canadians can do on January 23 to participate in the protest without attending a rally.
That's as far as I've got. Any ideas?
###
That's fabulous, but most Canadians are older and many older people are not comfortable with the idea of rallies. In addition many Canadians live too far away from a scheduled rally to attend, or they won't be able to get off work, or they have kids, or lots of other reasons why the rally won't work for them. In addition, it is quite possible (given that it's January) that the weather will prevent many people from attending.
We need to think of some ways of extending the January 23 protest... preferably something that Canadians can do on January 23 to participate in the protest without attending a rally.
That's as far as I've got. Any ideas?
###
“As you know, as part of our economic action plan, one of the things we’ve of course done is to step up government advertising. One of the purposes of that has been to support media outlets during the recession that have been particularly hard-hit.”
– Stephen Harper, A-Channel Ottawa, Jan. 11.
– Stephen Harper, A-Channel Ottawa, Jan. 11.
The Economist takes note of Harper's high handedness
Posted by
younglib 31 days ago
(http://youngpeopleforchange.blogspot.com)
The Economist's article on Harper's prorogation of Parliament mentions two interesting ideas that, while they have been cursorily addressed, are deserving of more consideration than have been given them by the media and the public here.
We have concentrated much on the disdain for Parliament that this chronic prorogation represents. However, Harper's case is not just one of disdain for Parliament, it is a desire to make "Parliament accountable to him rather than the other way around." This idea has been grasped, but it is emphasized further when stated this way. It really reveals the sheer incongruity between Harper's actions and democratic principles.
What's more, and this is the second thing the Economist picks up on, Stephen Harper's announcement itself confirmed a disdain for our democratic constitution. He announced, through his spokesman, that Parliament had been prorogued, prior to an announcement from the Governor General. He has effectively taken over her...
We have concentrated much on the disdain for Parliament that this chronic prorogation represents. However, Harper's case is not just one of disdain for Parliament, it is a desire to make "Parliament accountable to him rather than the other way around." This idea has been grasped, but it is emphasized further when stated this way. It really reveals the sheer incongruity between Harper's actions and democratic principles.
What's more, and this is the second thing the Economist picks up on, Stephen Harper's announcement itself confirmed a disdain for our democratic constitution. He announced, through his spokesman, that Parliament had been prorogued, prior to an announcement from the Governor General. He has effectively taken over her...
This Prorogation Should Trigger Reform of Parliament
Posted by
younglib 30 days ago
(http://youngpeopleforchange.blogspot.com)
At a time like this, when our Parliamentary government has been abused, we are made more aware of the disrepair the whole edifice is falling into. The most urgent problem we face is the loss of authority Parliament has suffered. Parliament's committees are ineffectual, and more importantly, Parliament can be cowed into following the Prime Minister's wishes through threats of confidence votes.
One of the roots of this loss of authority is the lack of deliberation that occurs in Parliament. Parliamentary debate in Canada is determined for the large majority of issues on the basis of party affiliation. This, along with the growing impotence of committees, is leaving MPs with a less significant role. Consequently, Parliament is on its way, gradually, of becoming a rubber stamp as there is no doubt as to how MPs will vote.
Party discipline is often essential for efficient government. You need only look to the US Congress to see the rampaging effects of loose party di...
One of the roots of this loss of authority is the lack of deliberation that occurs in Parliament. Parliamentary debate in Canada is determined for the large majority of issues on the basis of party affiliation. This, along with the growing impotence of committees, is leaving MPs with a less significant role. Consequently, Parliament is on its way, gradually, of becoming a rubber stamp as there is no doubt as to how MPs will vote.
Party discipline is often essential for efficient government. You need only look to the US Congress to see the rampaging effects of loose party di...
The Speakers should protect Parliament
Posted by
younglib 28 days ago
(http://youngpeopleforchange.blogspot.com)
Both Houses of the Canadian Parliament, the Senate and the HOC have their own speakers. These speakers have many roles, including moderating debate. However, they also have a role that has progressively become ceremonial, that of representing their Houses to any other bodies, such as the Crown (in Canada effectively the Governor General).
This is the role that they should fulfill in the current parliamentary crisis. This, for once, is a matter in which Parliament, through its two speakers, needs to be represented. This is entirely within the purview of the Speakers, as although this role of representing their Houses has taken on a ceremonial character, they are still the only individuals who could legally fulfill it.
This idea of representing Parliament may sound nebulous, but in this current prorogation it has the potential of being concrete. If the Speakers were to take their roles as representatives of the two houses of Parliament seriously, they should be duti...
This is the role that they should fulfill in the current parliamentary crisis. This, for once, is a matter in which Parliament, through its two speakers, needs to be represented. This is entirely within the purview of the Speakers, as although this role of representing their Houses has taken on a ceremonial character, they are still the only individuals who could legally fulfill it.
This idea of representing Parliament may sound nebulous, but in this current prorogation it has the potential of being concrete. If the Speakers were to take their roles as representatives of the two houses of Parliament seriously, they should be duti...
No Prorogue! Protest Update
Posted by
Yappa 30 days ago
(http://yappadingding.blogspot.com)
The No Prorogue! web site is up.
The Waterloo protest will be:
Where: Waterloo Public Square (King Street, in front of Waterloo Town Square)
When: Friday, January 23, 2010 from 11 am to 1 pm
Questions/Comments/Concerns: waterloo.prorogation.rally@gmail.com
Facebook page: Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament (Waterloo Region Chapter)
NoProrogue page: noprorogue.ca/waterloo
Other protests:...
94% say prorogation bad, CTV poll finds
Posted by
JamesBowie 32 days ago
(http://jamesbowie.blogspot.com)
94% is an astonishing number, especially considering:
1: it is a CTV poll, and CTV is the Conservative Television Network that brought us things as Senator Mike Duffy; and
2: it is an online poll, and online polls tend to support conservatives, whose supporters are more likely to be online reading politics.
94% says even Stephen Harper's Tory base thinks the Prime Minister is wrong. 94% is astounding.
When was the last time 94% of Canadians agreed on anything?
1: it is a CTV poll, and CTV is the Conservative Television Network that brought us things as Senator Mike Duffy; and
2: it is an online poll, and online polls tend to support conservatives, whose supporters are more likely to be online reading politics.
94% says even Stephen Harper's Tory base thinks the Prime Minister is wrong. 94% is astounding.
When was the last time 94% of Canadians agreed on anything?
In a news bulletin published an hour ago on macleans.ca, Liberal MPs will meet in the House of Commons or near it in defiance of prorogation. Instead of not showing up on Parliament Hill, they will carry out to the best of their abilities Parliamentary work.
This would not seem to be only a handful of MPs doing so unofficially, as Bob Rae announced that “[Harper] can’t shut down the issues. He can’t stop people from asking questions about the Afghan detainee issue. He can’t stop people from asking questions about the budget. He can’t stop people from talking about politics.” The intention clearly is to keep the spotlight on these issues, whether the government likes it or not.
This was the right move as critics were lambasting the opposition parties for whining about prorogation without even being willing to engage in a mock Parliament. Now that criticism is refuted and the ...
This would not seem to be only a handful of MPs doing so unofficially, as Bob Rae announced that “[Harper] can’t shut down the issues. He can’t stop people from asking questions about the Afghan detainee issue. He can’t stop people from asking questions about the budget. He can’t stop people from talking about politics.” The intention clearly is to keep the spotlight on these issues, whether the government likes it or not.
This was the right move as critics were lambasting the opposition parties for whining about prorogation without even being willing to engage in a mock Parliament. Now that criticism is refuted and the ...
Now if I could get 20,000 people to read my blog!!!
TORONTO_ More than 20,000 people have joined an anti-prorogation group on Facebook following Prime Minister Stephen Harper's decision to suspend Parliament for two months.
Published reports say the site was created by Christopher White, a University of Alberta student upset by Harper's decision to suspend Parliament until after the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
The site is called Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament. It is urging people to contact their MPs to get back to work.
James Morton
1100-5255 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
M2N 6P4
416 225 2777
Debunking Conservative Myths on Prorogation
Posted by
younglib 33 days ago
(http://youngpeopleforchange.blogspot.com)
As fig leaves covering the real reasons Parliament was prorogued (the Afghan detainee issue and the composition of Senate committees), Stephen Harper and his Conservatives have advanced two myths or half truths regarding prorogation: that is a common procedure and that it is necessary for the government as it seeks to recalibrate its agenda.
While prorogation is common, occurring 105 times, as the Conservatives are fond of reminding us, since Confederation, it is highly uncommon to have such long prorogations This is important because it reveals that prorogation was often a matter of course, necessary, and that it was never used to suspend Parliament for extended periods of time. This is what the Conservatives have done, with 37 days of prorogation.
A look at the length of a Parliament (this is the duration between elections) and the proportion of that Parliament being spent in session bears this out. (...
While prorogation is common, occurring 105 times, as the Conservatives are fond of reminding us, since Confederation, it is highly uncommon to have such long prorogations This is important because it reveals that prorogation was often a matter of course, necessary, and that it was never used to suspend Parliament for extended periods of time. This is what the Conservatives have done, with 37 days of prorogation.
A look at the length of a Parliament (this is the duration between elections) and the proportion of that Parliament being spent in session bears this out. (...
Anti-Prorogation
Posted by
Yappa 34 days ago
(http://yappadingding.blogspot.com)
Rallies are planned for January 23. I'm no good at initiating things, but if anyone plans one for Waterloo I'll be there.
............
There are two Facebook groups I know of that anti-proroguers can join:
* Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament (currently 20,000+ members)
* Canadians Against Suspending Parliament (currently 3,000+ members)
On each site, click on the Discussion tab to see information about rallies in cities across Canada, and to add your own ideas.
............
Harris Decima announced that they did a poll that showed that most Canadians don't care about prorogation. Turns out that the survey was done on December 17-20, nearly two weeks...
............
There are two Facebook groups I know of that anti-proroguers can join:
* Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament (currently 20,000+ members)
* Canadians Against Suspending Parliament (currently 3,000+ members)
On each site, click on the Discussion tab to see information about rallies in cities across Canada, and to add your own ideas.
............
Harris Decima announced that they did a poll that showed that most Canadians don't care about prorogation. Turns out that the survey was done on December 17-20, nearly two weeks...
Canada's Top 100 CEO's Are Doing Just Fine
Posted by
wiselaw 35 days ago
(http://feedproxy.google.com)
Canadian Press reports that Canada's top 100 CEO's didn't have such a bad year in 2008;Canada's 100 highest paid CEOs pocketed an of average $7.3 million in 2008, the same year Canadians were hard hit by the emergence of the worldwide recession, according to a new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives...
Of course, it's largely meaningless because the Crown can simply end the prosecution by saying there's no reasonable prospect for conviction. Unless the mandamus goes to the Court of Appeal -- and then the case becomes even less likely to be prosecuted:
OPP head Fantino could face charge of threatening public officials
Kenyon Wallace and Matthew Coutts, National Post
Julian Fantino, the Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police, must face an accusation that he illegally tried to influence public officials by threatening them, a Criminal Code offence, a court has ruled.
A judge has ordered a justice of the peace to issue a charge against Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Julian Fantino, after the former Toronto police chief sent an allegedly threatening email to Caledonia politicians
Under Ontario Superior Court Judge David Crane's Dec. 31 order, Commissioner Fantino will face one count of attempting to influence a municipal official in relation to an Ap
...
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