CFN – Everyone is agog over the supposedly big dust up in the House of Commons yesterday. In reality it wasn’t very much, just another new low registered for decorum in the House. When you compare Conservative House Leader Peter Van Loan’s march across the Commons floor to wave hisContinue Reading
CFN – It is hard to believe, but back on this day in 2005, we were all involved in an election that was forced on November 28th when the Martin government lost a confidence vote. Part of what made that election possible and which laid the ground work for that nonconfidenceContinue Reading
CFN – Congratulations are in order for Joan Crockatt, Erin O’Toole and Murray Rankin for their bye-election victories. We should also be thanking the other contenders who while they didn’t win, did have the courage to run for public office. With the bye-elections over, everyone will be reading the teaContinue Reading
CFN – I see that Martha Hall Findlay has jumped into the federal Liberal leadership race, good for her. Her entrance will give media types a chance to talk about another serious candidate instead of the daily dribble about Justin Trudeau. Frankly at this point there isn’t anyone else ofContinue Reading
CFN – History was made last night when President Obama was re-elected for another four year term. What struck me while listening to his acceptance speech was the fact that his words (whether we agree or disagree with him) are now part of his nation’s historical record. Quite simply theyContinue Reading
CFN – In a recent speech, Michael Ignatieff raised some very good points about what is wrong with politics and political discourse. A lot of his points could apply to our House of Commons. Ignatieff was right on target when he referred to politicians today regarding each other as enemiesContinue Reading
CFN – When political parties spend time on the opposition benches they often come up with ideas that look great on paper but lose their lustre once the party moves from the opposition side of the House to the government side. Such has been the case with the Conservatives andContinue Reading
CFN – Anyone watching Question Period the last few days would be excused if they simply turned it off and walked away in disgust. Basically the kids in the chamber are back to their old games- insults, evasive answers and slap downs. True it can get partisan blood going, butContinue Reading
CFN – Justin Trudeau will have to wade through a political minefield over the next few weeks while he waits to see if anyone else will challenge him for the Liberal Party leadership. It is a tough position to be in, especially with the Ignatieff coronation serving as such aContinue Reading
CFN – John Ivison’s column on the frustration being felt by backbench Tory MPs was quite interesting and for the most part pretty accurate. It is true that Tory MPs and ministers are champing at the bit because they have to take orders from “the boys in short pants”. ItContinue Reading
CFN – I gather from all the media hype that Canadians are supposed to be waiting with bated breath and pounding heart for the “Second Coming” IE Justin Trudeau’s non-announcement this week that he will enter the Liberal Party’s leadership race. I say non-announcement as I don’t know anyone whoContinue Reading
CFN – Eric Grenier has tabulated that Members Statements in the House of Commons under Standing Order 31 or simply SO 31s as we normally refer to them are considerably more partisan than in the past. Eric put together an interesting piece that highlights this and points the finger atContinue Reading
CFN – According to a media report I read, it would appear that New Brunswick MP, Dominic Leblanc, would like to limit the number of contenders for the Liberal Party leadership. What does he want to give the public, the same old tired crowd that got them to where theyContinue Reading
CFN – It has been reported that then minister for CIDA, Bev Oda, was charged a penalty fee of $250 US in 2010 for smoking in her hotel room in Washington. Rather than pay this penalty herself it is reported that she inexcusably expensed the penalty amount to her department.Continue Reading
CFN – The win by the Parti Quebecois in Quebec’s election will give many a writer lots to speculate about in the future and most folks will be watching Prime Minister Stephen Harper and how he handles this new “national unity” file that has been dumped into his lap byContinue Reading
CFN – I see the opposition parties have finally taken issue with the government for their heavy promotion of the War of 1812 during Olympic television coverage. They are a little late coming to the table on this issue as the initial discussion on Twitter took place back on JulyContinue Reading
CFN – I see the premiers are upset that Prime Minister Harper not only didn’t attend their latest Council of the Federation meeting, but his spokesperson has stated that he will not be attending their next session on the economy which will be in Halifax next November. Why are peopleContinue Reading
CFN – Remember the old Red Rose tea commercial which ended with “Pity, only in Canada.” Well it seems we might want to say, “Pity, only in the U.K.” Negative media stories over the use of cars and drivers by cabinet ministers are nothing new. These surface all the timeContinue Reading