A party that seeks independence for the French-speaking province of Quebec has assumed a disproportionate role in the politics of Canada, the country it would like to see broken up.
The perennially strong electoral showing of the Bloc Quebecois in the province has made it all but impossible for rival parties to win a majority in the federal Parliament, allowing the separatist party to play the role of kingmaker.
The CSN, the second largest union, had an extraordinary council meeting Monday to co-ordinate their strategy to do whatever it takes to beat the Harper government with a riding-by-riding choice. Duceppe’s lips were also the first loose ones last Monday to admit he will vote against the budget of a minority Tory government if that is the outcome of the current election. Layton and Ignatieff followed.
The 2010 international merchandise trade annual review reveals that exports rose 9.5% to $404.6 billion, led by higher exports of industrial goods and materials. Imports increased 10.6% to $413.6 billion, as volumes rose in all sectors.
The United States' share of Canada's trade (exports and imports combined) continued to fall in 2010, although it remained Canada's largest trading partner. The United States represented 62.5% of total merchandise trade in 2010, down from 76.3% in 2001. During the same period, Canada's trade with China more than tripled. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/110407/dq110407b-eng.htm
“The Canadian dollar upward trend remains,” said Omer Esiner, chief market analyst in Washington at Commonwealth Foreign Exchange Inc., a currency brokerage. “There’s strong underlying support there, rather than just speculative positioning, which suggests sustained strengthening.”
Does it make sense to replace our PM and allow Quebec separatists to decide who the next PM will be? A majority on May 2, 2011 will be the only option for voters to prevent this outcome.
The Liberals, traditionally most reliant on corporate and wealthy individual donors, are still struggling to adjust to their own reforms.- CTV
In February 2010 Ekos did a poll and thirty per cent of opposition party supporters wanted the Conservatives to have a full term ----> 2012 before another general election. The Liberal executive have not been successful in closing the gap in donors and grass roots support for their platform.
The CBC is now joining the opposition parties for ideas, regulations how to level the playing field to limit the Conservative Party of Canada. Anyone else have a problem with a national broadcaster taking sides?
Does anyone remember in 1997-2004 the CBC airing television shows: "level the playing field" or limit the dominance of the Liberal party? Is the CBC out of touch with the mainstream on the issues that matter most?
30% of opposition voters want Full term before election: Ekos 02-10
Is the continued rhetoric of the Federal Liberals talking down the work of our civil servants, our military, our Federal government responsible for their inability to break and hold 30% of popular support in 2010?
Liberal Media Ignore Canadian Success Stories: Opposition Party meme
What about the economy and the issues that matter to Canadians?
The Liberals have spent years pushing every story as a crisis of democracy and inept government. The Federal Liberals failed to offer a credible alternative since losing power in 2006. Changing leader every two years and demanding an election won't cut it. Ignatieff has begun to offer an alternative that includes asking for all the other voters to re-join the Liberal party to end the Conservative government. So far Ignatieff has managed to lose ground in by elections, volunteers and donations. If you can't get Canadians to return to the Liberal party what gives you the gravitas to seek a general election before the full term in 2012? Are you an opportunist, trying to avoid a messy convention in Ottawa that may challenge your leadership?
The issues and problems of the Liberals in Alberta remind me of the Federal Liberals. Both are unable to capitalize on the mistakes of the incumbent. Other political parties have gained at their expense.
Lack of effective policy?
Weak leadership?
Poor organization?
Out of touch with the mainstream beliefs and values?
Separatist leader Gilles Duceppe is polling higher than current leader on truthfulness, sincerity, competence, honesty and charisma.
Michael Ignatieff may feel he has done enough rebuilding of the Liberal Party. The metrics don't support that analysis in my opinion. I don't see an improvement of one or two points from the historical lows of 2008 as proof of an upswing.Is Michael Ignatieff tired or worn out trying to keep the Liberal party afloat and relevant?
Liberal insiders correctly note the public is looking for a reason to vote against Mr. Harper, but they can’t yet see one in the Liberals. -Donald Martin
This sounds like sour grapes the Temple of Groupthink in the Parliamentary Press Gallery in Ottawa.
The PPG don't matter and like the Liberal insiders they represent the backward ankle biting minority pining for the 'glory days'.
Too bad too sad.
The Government of Canada does not serve at the pleasure of the press gallery.
Donald notes in his article how the Liberals are not acting wisely.
Policy Reversals
Sinking Party Morale
Crazy talk about NDP coalition
Kevin Page is going to burst media driven campaign about Security Costs
Media pining on Jean Chretiens return
Last to allow for Auditor General review
LGR battle
Internal revolt on fixing immigration system
Refusal for any adult conversation from Canada150 until writ is dropped.
It must be difficult to defend and support the Liberal Party when they are so intent on not earning the support of voters. Luckily for Donald his latest grumbling will have little resonance outside the Ottawa bubble.
Will the media, opposition MPs apologize to the Canadian taxpayers for feamongering and excessive demands in spending on H1N1?
The reserve requested all those body bags, Health Canada was simply filling the order October 8, 2009
October 28, 2009 -Liberal MPs apologized Wednesday for distributing a household flyer that attacks the government’s handling of H1N1 among aboriginals with the slogan “No vaccines, just body bags.”
The flyer, mailed as a message from Liberal health critic Dr. Carolyn Bennett, features a picture of body bags in a lab and a sick aboriginal child.
Grand Chief Ron Evans of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs told a parliamentary committee the flyer was “very disturbing...it’s really troubling to our people.”
Dr. Bennett, the Liberal health critic, raised questions about the details of the contract between the federal government and GlaxoSmithKline, the producer of the vaccine. It is the only supplier for the Canadian government, but no details of that contract are available. Nov 3, 2009
On November 3, 2009 I asked if the CBC and the Liberal Party were staging events.
I posted on November 5, 2009 and asked if the Liberals were playing games. ...delivery of the shots is lagging because of Ottawa's quicker than expected approval of the H1N1 vaccine. The infrastructure for administering the inoculations, which includes volunteers and vaccinators, was ready to begin rolling on Nov. 9, but Health Canada gave its approval the week of Oct. 26,2009.
In smaller provinces and cities that did not have confusing or mixed messaging from the opposition, media they were able to adminster the program. In large cities the local health officials in Toronto and Hamilton were unable to execute the program smoothly. Alberta did not follow the plan and allowed everyone who showed up to get shots.
The responsibility of putting the needle, running the clinics is a provincial responsibility run by local health officials.
The Liberal opposition this week blasted the decision to hire GSK as the “only supplier for Canada,” but CTV News reported last night that the $323-million contract was actually awarded in 2001 by the previous Liberal government. The contract was awarded to Shire BioChem, a company that gave $57,000 to the Liberal Party in 2001 and has since been bought out by GSK. - November 6, 2009 Last week, the House of Commons adopted a Liberal motion calling for the allocation of the $400 million in pandemic response funds to help the provinces deliver vaccines to Canadians, plus additional planning support, and the diversion of partisan Economic Action Plan advertising funding towards a large-scale H1N1 awareness campaign. -November 10, 2009 Reports accuse WHO of exaggerating H1N1 threat, possible ties to drug makers
"It is particularly troubled by some of the consequences of decisions taken and advice given leading to distortion of priorities of public health services across Europe, waste of large sums of public money, and also unjustified scares and fears about health risks faced by the European public at large," according to the report.
Health experts say the low rates point to failings on the part of provinces. Alberta, for example, initially ignored an agreed-upon priority list and said it would vaccinate anyone who showed up, forcing clinics to close abruptly. Ontario did the same, resulting in waits as long as six hours. Experts say confusion reigned, and the lack of co-ordination shook public confidence in how the pandemic was being handled.
The Liberals, liberal media have been busy playing political games with the maternal health priority of the Government of Canada in the G8-G20.
The Liberals, Canadian media have ignored the bias, errors in the UN IPCC, the organized crime involved in the European Carbon Exchange market, in-action of China and the US that account for over 40% to single out Canada's 2.3% contribution again.
The fringe party formerly know as the natural governing party continues to hit new low on the stupid scale.
Derek Lee a Liberal MP was called to testify on allegations of lobbying. Liberals have been very vocal in having government staff, military, experts be allowed to appear. They have suggested those who refuse are hiding something and obstructing parliament.
What do the Liberals do when one of their MPs is invited to explain a website?
But when Lee arrived to face MPs, he argued the government operations committee was not the proper venue for answering those types of questions.
His caucus colleagues used up much of the allotted time with long procedural arguments and Lee left without having to respond to questions.-Winnipeg Free Press Online Edition May 27, 2010 Liberals shield own MP from committee grilling
Many of us had hoped an adult conversation would take place, policy alternatives with specifics introduced for debate in parliament.
What do we have to show?
Iffy caught in France while his team asks where the PM is vacationing.
28 day prorogue framed as unusual
Ignore all good news in Canada (Economy, Jobs, Sales, Consumer confidence)
Attack Maternal Health Initiative and replace with abortion for Congo to divide parliament
Attack female MP, call for resignation, allege husband got sweetheart deal, links to organized crime
Insist our Military, Government, staff turned a blind eye to torture, hiding details, are responsible
How many Liberal MPs will apologize for their behaviour? The next election voters should send a very clear message to the parties that want to raise our taxes, refuse to be held accountable, live in a culture of entitlements.
A spokesman for Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said the MP would keep his caucus duties.
Okay how do you fail the blowing into a breathalyzer? It is my understanding if you refuse or fail the charges can be the same as D.U.I. in Ontario.
In Quebec what is the consequence of refusing, failing this test? Was a blood, urine sample requested to test his blood level? Any Quebec lawyers on BT can give a quick opinion.
Here is a funny clip. Too many BT to h/t everyone (having fun on this story).This is a pile on but based on the last few months of drive by smears some would think this is Karma.
Update: This is for informational purposes ONLY. We should remember Due Process and Rule of Law extends to everyone in Canada. We should not excuse criminal behaviour but we need to allow those in trust to do their job.
Should the Liberal Party be held to same standard of accountability they have demanded of the CPC MPs in question period when being investigated?
Timeline from Suspected Impaired Driving to Court Appearance
The following timeline is based on an uncomplicated impaired driving investigation.
00:00 The suspect vehicle is sighted and pulled over.
00:02 Driver's documents have been obtained and an odour of liquor is noted on the driver's breath.
00:04 Driver is warned about being under investigation for impaired driving and the Approved Screening Device (ASD) demand is made.
00:05 Driver blows a fail on the ASD.
00:06 Driver is given the police warning and advised of his/her Charter Rights.
00:08 Breathalyzer demand is made.
00:09 24 hour suspension demand is made. Driver is placed in police vehicle for transport to the Detachment for testing.
00:25 A driving time of 15 minutes is assumed to arrive at the detachment. This estimate could be somewhat less or much more depending on the initial location.
00:27 Driver decides to contact Legal Aid for advice and an initial call is made.
00:47 An average time of 20 minutes for Legal Aid to return the initial call is assumed. The waiting time is seldom much less than this.
00:57 An average time of 10 minutes for conversation with Legal Aid is assumed. It is not usually much more or less than this.
Driver is taken to the breath testing area. Impaired drivers investigation guide is completed.
01:18 Face to face observation period to guard against mouth alcohol is completed prior to breath testing.
01:21 First breath sample is taken and analyzed. Sample over 100 mg. % is assumed for this scenario.
01:38 15 clear minutes are observed prior to test number 2. Sample over 100 mg % and within 20 mg % of the first sample is assumed. If not, a third test would be required. The driver's fingerprints and photograph are often taken in this waiting period.
A police officer may order you to provide a blood sample in the following situations:
she has reasonable grounds to believe that, in the previous 3 hours, you were driving or had the care or the control of a vehicle while impaired and/or she has reasonable grounds to believe that, in the previous 3 hours, you were driving or had the care or the control of a vehicle while the level of alcohol in your blood was above 80 mg per 100 ml and taking a breath sample is difficult or impossible due to your physical condition at the time of your arrest. For example, a person suffering from asthma or respiratory problems may be unable to perform a breathalyzer test. Or the driver may have injured his mouth or jaw in a car accident. In both cases, the police can take the driver to the hospital to get a blood sample. Only a doctor or nurse can take this sample and only if the doctor believes that this will not threaten the driver’s life.
Sometimes, the driver is unable to consent to the taking of a blood sample. For example, he may be unconscious or very agitated following an accident. In such a case, the police officer must get a warrant to obtain a blood sample. She can only ask for the warrant if a doctor has attested that the driver was in such a state that he could neither consent to nor refuse the request for a blood sample and that the procedure won’t endanger the driver’s life. The sample will only be authorized if the driver was involved in an accident in which he or another person were injured, or in which another person died.
The law states that it is a criminal offence to refuse to do the following acts without a reasonable excuse:
provide a breath sample through a breathalyzer test or the approved screening device
perform the physical coordination tests required by the police officer
consent to giving a blood sample follow a police officer in order to provide a sample
If you are found guilty of one of these offences, you are subject to the same punishment as you would be for the offence of driving while impaired or driving while the level of alcohol in your blood was above the limit.
You should know that if the evidence supports it, you can be charged with both refusing to provide a sample and impaired driving.
Conclusion: BIG LOOPHOLE
If I am reading this correctly, a person who is very agitated following an accidentmay be unable to provide a breathalyzer sample and not have his blood sample taken if no serious injury took place.
I am not sure about the other preliminary roadside tests or subsequent test at the police station.
Paranoia and Fearmongering about some vast rightwing Christian movement to strip away of Rights and Freedoms in Canada on sale? What media outlets will help promote this narrative as credible?
The progressive people in the industry of advocacy of lobbying, selling books, presenting their own ideology about some socialist utopia on earth have their version of history and role others are allowed to play. I have no problem with the Carbon Footprint or the financial interests of Al Gore in regards to the Global Warming Agenda. I think if the media wish to ignore the potential bias or conflicts it does a disservice to their credibility in the long run and will eventually destroy their product or public image.
Spot the "Religious Right-wing Christian Neo-con" leader: compare the actions, policy position of two American Presidents George Bush, Barrack Obama and the Canadian PM Stephen Harper. How are they compared by our Canadian media and opposition leaders? Do they share the same views of abortion, SSM at home and abroad? Is funding for abortion allowed by Federal Tax dollars in the United States? What groups of visible minorities overwhelmingly voted against SSM in California?
How do progressives view the socialist governments of Eastern Europe, Soviet Union during after WWII through to 1990's? How did they feel about the spreading of communism in Central America, Cuba and Asia? Did these progressives tell the truth about the mass starvation, loss of individual rights in those countries? Do they turn a blind eye to the atrocities under the ideology of collectivism vs capitalism?
Western Democracies: Rule of Law
We have regular elections, a free press, how do we compare with those who don't have a free press, equality, women's rights or a democratic government? Do these advocates speak up against the injustice in those countries and groups that turn a blind eye?
Joyce Arthur -I'm a political activist for abortion rights and women's rights. I've written numerous articles and essays on abortion, feminism, sex work, evolution and atheism.
How Canada’s Christian right was built: Joyce Arthur on the “They’re more brazen and confident,” says Joyce Arthur, director of the Abortion Rights Coalition. “That’s the big change. Being in power has given them legitimacy.”
Joyce, gets it WRONG WRONG WRONG. An individual or group that DOESNOT share your ideology does not need to be in power to have legitimacy. They have already have that right guaranteed and protected in Canada. They don't have it Saudia Arabia, Iran, Cuba, North Korea and Hamas controlled territories. How are those battles against those countries and regimes where those rights you advocate going?
Interviewed by Wendy Mesley on CBC's The National May 11, McDonald suggested the ultimate meaning of dominionist and similar concepts was that "it means governed only by born-again Christians, according to biblical precepts. And it is a very small subset of this larger conservative Christian movement. But they have a lot of power, and they are very noisy and very well organized." Canadian Christianity
Is this a book that is anti-Christian, anti-religious, anti-extremist, does the author dig into the problems of religious fanaticism in every religious group and provide examples of how each extremist group is a danger to society we cherish as liberal and tolerant? I have NOT read the book, I don't have an informed opinion, I can only ask questions and look at the articles and clips provided to help promote her book.
The publisher, Toronto Star fail to notice: One of CCF’s leading representatives and in-house lawyers is outspoken atheist libertarian, Karen Selick. The TSTAR has updated their post.
Will the CBC give an author equal time to sell books about the Rise of Radical Islam and the danger is poses in Canada and the world? Will some media outlets give this author more free promotion to sell her book and other less if her message is controversial or unbiased?
Time will tell, is their a bias and if we have a problem with right wing extremist Christian agenda.
Where are the opposition parties, Public Unions, advocacy groups calling for divestment in regimes that don't have equality for women?
Canadians will have a clear choice when they return to the Polls in 2010-2011. They can continue to support the socialist economic policies of the Liberals, New Democrats and Bloc in fairer tax redistribution with the promise a "just society" economic model. (Utopia on earth)
In Britain Nancy Lucas leader of the Green Party talks about the importance "social justice" and the importance of the "Robin Hood Tax". The "king maker" Nick Clegg's (Leader Liberal Democrat) , Labor Party leader Gordon Brown policies were rejected as both parties lost seats and popular support. What is your fair share of "tax"?
An interesting article “I know this is right; you know this is right; the only question is how we do it.” Benefits from a strong Political and Moral Compass. Montreal Economic Institute.
It is time for governments to rethink a central authority, central planners are smarter or better at spending your money on priorities? Do we have an example of this "just society" on earth? If so why do the neo-liberals and proponents of wealth redistribution keep changing the labels they attach to socialism? Why shift from Global Ice Age, Catastrophic man-made global warming, to climate change?
Is anyone credible going to argue waste under any government does not occur? What makes a central planner in Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City, Victoria more likely to understand how to spend your tax dollars, his education, his communication with political appointees and stake holders special interest groups lobbyists?
Are we going to ignore, deny we can buy the "correct data" we want through advocacy, polling, research if we ask the right questions or fund it? Look at the criticisms lodged against United Nations peer review studies, IPCC, Frank Graves, Manning Institute by opposing camps suggesting the "data" were bogus.
Canada's recovery is tied to the Global Economic Recovery. It can be stalled or worse if we don't deal with indebtedness of governments.
Liberal Premier Jean Charest has used his majority to block, ignore calls for investigations of corruption in his government by opposition parties, his majority allows the losses in the Pension Fund estimated in the billions to be ignored NOT investigated by a public inquiry. Does the Liberal Premier benefit by pitting region against region, did he ignore the efforts by the Alberta Government to deal with Carbon Sequestration. Does he demand Albertans increase their contributions for equalization programs?
Nanos Graphs Big Issues: Environment, Education, Job/Economy, Healthcare.....Liberals are M.I.A.
For the past three weeks in Question Period, the Liberals have tried a new catchphrase "culture of deceit". It is used in almost every statement, question from the Liberal opposition. Does this pass as adult conversation in the Liberal Party?
Will the MSM participate in this Political Spin?
Culture War, Hidden Agenda is that what we should expect from the Liberal Party of Canada?
In his advice, Mr. Graves could hardly have been more blunt. “I told them that they should invoke a culture war. Cosmopolitanism versus parochialism, secularism versus moralism, Obama versus Palin, tolerance versus racism and homophobia, democracy versus autocracy. If the cranky old men in Alberta don’t like it, too bad. Go south and vote for Palin.” Liberals Tacking Left
January 24, 2010- Prorogation Article Roy MacGregor Globe & Mail
Talk to Liberals – office holders, party organizers, fundraisers – around the country and you will tap into a malaise that a good pollster could rout out with a single question: “What's happening?” “Nothin',” the vast majority would respond, with a margin of error of plus or minus very little.
“There is no Liberal Party,” says one lifelong card carrier who has sat at cabinet tables.
“It died a long time ago. It's not completely extinct yet, but there's no there there.” In this lifelong Liberal's eyes, the party has been stalled for years. No new energy, no new ideas, no vision of what it might like to do. The singular advantage of proroguing, this Liberal would say, is that it has put an end to the squirming every time the opposition pounces.
“The ‘gotcha' stuff is out of control,” says the Liberal. “They bring in all these nerdy keener kids from campus and it's some kind of game to them. They're turning politics into pro wrestling.” The media concentrates on the top, Ignatieff, and on the Hill, but disenchanted Liberals say there is a story to be told far from the now-silenced sound bites of the Centre Block.
Three months later and NOTHING has changed just more gotcha stuff...
Where is the adult supervision, real policy debate in Parliament?
The Twitter Party of Canada (TPOC) formerly known as the LPOC may have repeated another cheap shot to smear our government. Did Ralph Goodale suggest Canada will be unable to help because our parliament is prorogued in a CBC interview? From doorknobs, novelty cheques, communion wafers when will the adults regain control of this political party?
The only upside if correct, very few people actually watch the CBC, other than Hockey Night in Canada the CBC rarely breaks the Top Weekly Programs.
Reality vs Spin
Canada is responding
Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Canada is ready to help the people of Haiti "during this time of need."
Canada is home to a large community of those of Haitian descent and "our thoughts and prayers are with them as they seek word about the safety of their loved ones," Harper added.
Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said about 6,000 Canadians are in Haiti and there have yet to be reports if any are injured. Canadians concerned about relatives in the country can call the emergency operations centre in Ottawa at 1-800-387-3124, (613) 943-1055, or by email: sosinternational@gc.ca.
Canadians in Haiti can contact embassy officials in Port-au-Prince by calling (613) 996-8885.
The Canadian government has a large presence in Haiti. Canadians are also attached to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the country.
The UN headquarters in Haiti sustained "serious damage" and an unknown number of personnel are unaccounted for, including five Canadians. CTV
Previous Examples of Adult Supervision Required
UPDATE H/T to Neil comments sections on PPES 59.00 minutes in discussing this cheap stunt. Only the Liberal guest defends the cheap shot. (Go figure!) The government does not need the voices from the cheap seats debating how much water or what is needed to respond to this emergency.
...Sometimes these ads are successful -- just visiting? worked well -- and sometimes they backfire, as in the mocking of Mr. Chrétien's deformity. They seem to be here to stay, however, and we can expect to see more of them. Defending his party's most recent ads, Mr. Ignatieff said that the prime minister must be accountable to Parliament and then added that he, as Leader of the Opposition, is not responsible for the Liberal ad agency or for the music or the voice-overs in the ads. Indeed.
It is funny watching the two major parties attack each other. This Battle of the Titans reminds me of a song I heard a long time ago. I remember watching it with Doris Day Robert Goulet. Here is a modern Disney Anime with Bernadette Peter and Tom Wopat-doing the audio.
"Anything You Can Do" is a song composed by Irving Berlin for the 1946Broadwaymusical, Annie Get Your Gun.[1] The song is a spirited duet, with one male singer and one female singer attempting to out-do each other in increasingly complex tasks.
