Remembrance Day

There is nothing more can say regarding Rembrance Day. I will have some things to say in days to come that disturbed me regarding my local service. But on today -- Remembrance Day I just want to wish everyone a solemn and dignified Remembrance Day.

Harper and Layton call to abolish Senate of Canada

So it looks like Harper and Layton are coming together again -- this time to call for the abolition of Canada's Senate.

This is not a new idea. But it does signal something. It means that by the next election Canada will be going to referendum on the subject of the Senate -- yay or nay. But that question is far too over simplified, isn't it? Many of us accept that the Senate need reform, but that doesn't mean it is time to get rid of it. The heart of the problem lies in its representative issues. There needs to be a new formula made to bring an equal form of representation to Western Canada and the North. But this cannot happen if we simply get rid of it. Hopefully this will merely raise the question and not simply abolish our sober second thought.

Authoritarian Harper Dumps Tory Candidate in Toronto Centre

The following is taken directy off BobRae.ca. Enjoy.


The treatment of my Conservative opponent Mark Warner by the Harper Conservatives is a national disgrace.
Mr Warner was the duly nominated candidate in Toronto Centre, and in that role I came to know him as a thoughtful and hardworking person whose differences with me did not prevent us from establishing a sense of mutual respect. For him to have been summarily removed speaks to a dangerous controlling and authoritarian streak that runs right through Stephen Harper’s Conservative Party.

The citizens of Toronto Centre now know that someone who speaks out on social issues has no place in the Harper Conservatives. It is truly disgraceful to see a hardworking and honest candidate treated this way.

TTC suspects province is plotting a takeover

http://www.thestar.com/News/Ontario/article/269896

An interesting article from the Toronto Star. Personally, I'm not sure where I stand on this. If Toronto can't handle their transit system than someone needs to deliver it to Canada's most populated city. But what kind of president would this set? Is Montreal in the same category? Or Vancouver? Or Ottawa?

Liberals Ask: Where’s the Accountability?

When it comes to accountability, the Conservative minority government is all talk and no action, the Liberal Mark Holland challenged today.

Mr. Holland was attacked to recent news reports indicating the department of Public Works, responsible for procurement for the entire federal government, has washed its hands of the oversight of government contracts.

Michael Ignatieff later pointed out that Public Works has quietly deleted all references to accountability from its supply manual which spells out lines of responsibility for government procurement.

Considering the Conservative Party promised an open and transparent government during the last election, it’s clear that this government doesn’t practice what it preaches. It is time for Stephen Harper to do the right thing and be honest with Canadians about his government’s hypocritical conduct.

Harper Must Come Clean on Deceptive Financing

Harper has been playing politics and come clean on his alleged involvement in deceptive financing practices during the 2006 parliamentary election, the Liberals demanded today.

Stephane Dion challenge Harper the other day during question period regarding to subject, resulting in no answer.

Despite several opportunities to absolve himself of any implication in the scandal, Harper refused to answer the Liberals' questions, choosing instead to hide behind Conservative House Leader Peter Van Loan.

The Conservatives are currently being investigated by Elections Canada for allegedly breaking campaign spending laws during the 2006 general election by funneling national advertising costs to regional candidates, who were then able to apply for taxpayer-funded rebates.

For a party that boasts accountability, the Conservatives’ own practices seem nothing short of hypocritical. It is time for Harper and his party to start telling the truth. Canadians deserve an honest and accountable government.

Speech from the Throne

This speech went no where. It must be the most vague speech from the throne I have ever seen. All I know is that he has a far too slim goal on the environment (seriously 20% by 2020?), that he has copped out on federal-provincial transfers by cutting funds going to the provinces, and wishes to extend the mission in Afghanistan. I'm shocked.