Archive for January 2014

Justin Trudeau’s Senate reform surprise .. is this a sign of the new/old kind of federal government he’d lead?

Jan 31st, 2014 | By | Category: In Brief

Justin “Trudeau’s Senate purge” – of all appointed Liberal senators from the Liberal parliamentary caucus – has been called “a tactical masterstroke,” a “bold move,” “a smart branding strategy,” and a “ push for a non-partisan Red Chamber.” My own assessment is that even the Globe and Mail editorial’s “One cheer for Mr. Trudeau’s Senate […]



Back to whatever passes for work among the parliamentary democrats in Ottawa

Jan 26th, 2014 | By | Category: Ottawa Scene

On one theory at least, what goes on in Canada’s federal parliament is crucial to the vitality of our parliamentary democracy. Whatever else, it forms a convenient framework for professional media coverage of Canadian federal politics. And on an old (and now almost certainly obsolete) Anglo Central Canadian theory, hockey and federal (or as some […]



Is an uber right-wing Tim Hudak Conservative government suddenly in the wings in Ontario??

Jan 21st, 2014 | By | Category: Canadian Provinces

Last Week Susanna Kelley at ontarionewswatch.com noted that “former Liberal MP Ken Dryden” has been pointing to “a palpable anger out there amongst the citizenry.” This probably has some heightened resonance in Canada’s most populous province. And in the same context Ms Kelley has observed : “Few with any political sense are willing to make […]



Northern lights tonight .. if you’re lucky, in much of Canada and northern US ..

Jan 9th, 2014 | By | Category: In Brief

People who live in the most hated city in Canada, as I do, will apparently not have all that good a chance of seeing them tonight. But according to the QMI agency : “Weather permitting, the northern lights will be visible in Yellowknife, Calgary, Edmonton, all of Saskatchewan, Winnipeg, northern Ontario and as far south […]



What does the Olivia Chow as Ontario lieutenant governor rumour tell us about our democracy??

Jan 6th, 2014 | By | Category: In Brief

Olivia Chow has left no doubt that there is no real fire in Steve Paikin’s speculation about “How Stephen Harper Can Help Rob Ford.”Â  As she has tweeted : “It seems the rumor mill is in full force this morning. Let me be crystal clear, the reports of an LG offer are completely false.” Yet […]