Month: May 2014

For the record: Statement from Shawn Atleo resigning as AFN National Chief

Shawn Atleo
Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, speaks to media Kainai High School, near Standoff, Alta., on Friday February 7, 2014. Prime Minister Stephen Harper was announcing an agreement with the Assembly of First Nations to reform the First Nations education system. (Lyle Aspinall/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency)

This is terribly unsettling news. Atleo is a principled, courageous leader who recognized that the single best way to make the lives of First Nations people better was through education. Improving education systems and outcomes takes time — generations even — but Atleo was a victim to attacks from other First Nations politicians looking to score quick points. Here is the statement Atleo delivered this afternoon at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa:

STATEMENT FROM ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS NATIONAL CHIEF SHAWN A-IN-CHUT ATLEO

(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo made the below statement in Ottawa, ON today.

“I have stated clear priority on the recognition of Treaty, of Indigenous rights and title, on the safety and security of our most vulnerable, and I have also made my priority on education for our kids plainly clear. Continue reading For the record: Statement from Shawn Atleo resigning as AFN National Chief

Ontario election set for June 12. Take our poll!

 

Kathleen Wynne visits L-G
TORONTO – Premier Kathleen Wynne arrives at Queens Park to meet with David Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario after the NDP’s decision not to support the budget. Losing the budget vote would force an election but Wynne didn’t wait for the vote and got Onley to dissovle the legislature. (Dave Abel/Toronto Sun)

This morning, Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said she’d vote against the just-tabled budget of the minority Liberal government at Queen’s Park. That, of course, would precipitate an election.

Well, Premier Kathleen Wynne didn’t even wait for the vote and visited the Lieutenant Governor this afternoon to have the election called. It’ll be a long campaign – nearly 7 weeks — but Ontarions will get to choose their next premier on June 12. Continue reading Ontario election set for June 12. Take our poll!

A "strain" between the country's top judge and top politician

Here’s the top bit of a very interesting column by my friend John Ivison of the National Post:

Rumours about Beverley McLachlin, the Chief Justice, are being shared with journalists, alleging she lobbied against the appointment of Marc Nadon to the court (an appointment later overturned as unconstitutional). It is also being suggested she has told people the Harper government has caused more damage to the court as an institution than any government in Canadian history.

The chatter suggests there is a clear strain between the offices of the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice. Continue reading A "strain" between the country's top judge and top politician