admin – Page 135 – David Akin’s On The Hill

BP puts foot in mouth; the "shit" on TV; and a spat between Tory MPs: Thursday's A1 headlines and Parliamentary daybook

BP puts foot in mouth; the “shit” on TV; and a spat between Tory MPs: Listen to my four-minute audio roundup of what's on the front pages of the country's newspapers plus highlights from Thursday's Parliamentary daybook by clicking on the link below.

You can also get these audio summaries automatically every day via podcast from iTunes or via an RSS feed by subscribing to my AudioBoo stream. Both the iTunes link and the RSS link are at my profile at AudioBoo.fm. Lookin the top right corner of the “Boos” box.

The Royal Tour: Details of Queen Elizabeth

The federal government this afternoon released the itinerary for the visit this summer of Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip. They'll be in the country on June 28:
* Welcoming ceremony at Garrison Grounds in Halifax (June 28)
* Mi’kmaq cultural event in Halifax (June 28)
* International Fleet Review in Halifax to mark Canadian Navy Centennial (June 29)
* Canadian Museum of Nature visit in Ottawa (June 30)
* The Canada Day Noon Show on Parliament Hill (July 1)
* Dedication of a cornerstone at the Human Rights Museum in Winnipeg (July 3)
* The Queen’s Plate at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto (July 4)
* Tour of the RIM Blackberry facility in Waterloo (July 5)
* Film shoot at Pinewood studios in Toronto (July 5)

Arar's interrogators investigated; Toronto councillor whoops it up; hikers force a bear's death: Tuesday's A1 headlines

Arar's interrogators investigated; Toronto councillor whoops it up on the way out; dumb hikers force a bear's death: Listen to my four-minute audio roundup of what's on the front pages of the country's newspapers plus highlights from Tuesday's Parliamentary daybook by clicking on the link below.

Obama's talks tough to BP; sexy ad upsets pageant bosses; and Springsteen in Calgary: Audio summary of Monday's A1 headlines

Obama's talks tough to BP; sexy ad upsets pageant bosses; and Springsteen in Calgary: Listen to my four-minute audio roundup of what's on the front pages of the country's newspapers plus highlights from Monday's Parliamentary daybook by clicking on the link below.

I have a new job

Press Release
For immediate release
QUEBECOR MEDIA AND SUN MEDIA ANNOUNCE
TWO STRATEGIC APPOINTMENTS
Montreal, Quebec, June 10, 2010 – Quebecor Media Inc. and Sun Media Corporation are pleased to announce the appointment of David Akin as Sun Media National Bureau Chief in Ottawa, and Brian Lilley as a Senior Correspondent.
David Akin has had a 25-year career in both print and television. At CTV National News with Lloyd Robertson, Mr. Akin received a Gemini Award for his reporting. While working for The Globe and Mail, Mr. Akin received a National Newspaper Award citation of merit. He was also a member of the inaugural staff of National Post. Most recently, Mr. Akin was the National Affairs Correspondent for Canwest News Service.
In addition to his work in traditional media platforms, Mr. Akin has also been a pioneer in digital platforms. A blogger for almost a decade, Mr. Akin's On The Hill is one of the Top 15 most-read political blogs in the country and, last year, Mr. Akin was named one of the “100 Most Influential People in Ottawa” by the Hill Times.
Brian Lilley is a veteran broadcaster having spent the last decade in major market radio across Canada. In addition to work in Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto, Brian has spent the last five years as Ottawa Bureau Chief for Canada's largest private radio broadcaster.
While working with heritage news/talk radio stations like Newstalk 1010 in Toronto and CJAD in Montreal, Brian has brought Canadian politics to the ears of millions of listeners across Canada. His time in Ottawa has also been marked by original news stories, off-beat analysis and one on one interviews with all major party leaders including the Prime Minister.
Quebecor Media and Sun Media Corporation would like to thank Kathleen Harris for her leadership as Bureau Chief. Ms. Harris will continue to play an important role in the Sun Media National Bureau.
Quebecor Media Inc. is a subsidiary of Quebecor Inc. (TSX: QBR.A, QBR.B), a communications company with operations in North America, Europe and Asia. Quebecor Media owns operating companies in numerous media-related businesses: Videotron Ltd., an integrated communications company engaged in cable television, interactive multimedia development, Internet access services, cable telephony and wireless telephone service; Sun Media Corporation, the largest publisher of newspapers in Canada; Canoe.ca., operator of a network of English and French language Internet properties in Canada; Quebecor Media Network, provider of flyer printing and distribution services; TVA Group Inc., operator of the largest French language over the air television network in Québec, a number of specialty channels, and the English language over the air station Sun TV; Nurun Inc., a major interactive technologies and communications agency with offices in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia; magazine publisher TVA Publishing Inc.; book publishers and distributors Sogides Group Inc. and CEC Publishing Inc.; Archambault Group Inc. and TVA Films, companies engaged in the production, distribution and retailing of cultural products; Le SuperClub Vidéotron ltée, a DVD and console game rental and retail chain; and Quebecor MediaPages, publisher of print and online directories.
-30-

Autism breakthrough; bogus dentists and organ donors needed! Thursday's A1 headlines

Autism breakthrough; bogus dentists and organ donors needed! Listen to my four-minute audio roundup of what's on the front pages of the country's newspapers plus highlights from Thursday's Parliamentary daybook by clicking on the link below.

Conservative lawyer makes news: Guergis knows she was fired for Jaffer's misbehaviour

Arthur Hamilton, a partner at the law firm, Cassels, Brock and Blackwell LLP, is the lawyer for the Conservative Party of Canada. He is testifiying this afternoon in front of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates. He is here to talk about the events that led to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's decision to fire Helena Guergis as Minister of State for Status of Women, kick her out of caucus, and refer some allegations to the RCMP and Parliament's ethics commissioner. Here's some excerpts from his opening statement:

“I confirm that Ms. Guergis and I had to two separate telephone conversations in the morning of April 9. At that time, I detailed the allegations which were being made not only against her but also against her husband, [Rahim] Jaffer. These allegations also spoke to a number of matters which involved Mr. Jaffer's business partner, Mr. [Nazim] Gillani.'

[Hamilton then described how Guergis issued various media statements saying that she has not ever been apprised of the detailed allegations.]

“What no one knew until today is that on the afternoon of April 9, I was contacted by Jaime Watt, the chairman of Navigator Ltd. I understood that Mr. Watt was contacting me on behalf of Ms. Guergis. When Mr. Watt and I spoke, two things become clear. First, he had recently spoken to Ms. Guergis, Mr. Jaffer or both of them.

Second, he knew the allegation that I had explained to Ms. Guergis. Ms. Guergis still maintains that she does not know the allegations. As I have said, I explained them to her at length. Moreover, clearly Ms. Guergis remembered enough of the allegations to brief Mr. Watt, or to brief someone who then briefed Mr. Watt.

… Any suggestion that Ms. Guergis does not know the details of the allegations which were made against her is not accurate. To the contrary, not only was she briefed fully on those allegations by me, but I also spoke in detail about them with Mr. Watt when he called on the afternoon of April 9.

Max's monetary policy; Afghanistan snafu; too wet to farm: Wednesday's A1 headlines and Parliamentary daybook

Max's monetary policy; Afghanistan snafu; too wet to farm: ! Listen to my four-minute audio roundup of what's on the front pages of the country's newspapers plus highlights from Wednesday's Parliamentary daybook by clicking on the link below.

PMO says fake lake bill is $57,000

In the House of Commons Monday, the government was taking it from all quarters over reports that the cost of building a fake indoor lake in the downtown Toronto media centre that will be used by the 3,000 or so international journalists coming to cover the G8 and G20 summits later this month will cost $1.9 million.

The lake — Industry Minister Tony Clement says it is more accurately referred to as a “reflecting pool” — is the centrepiece of a Muskoka recreation, something for the journalists who won't be able to travel to the G8 summit meeting site in the heart of the real Muskoka cottage country.

This morning, the Prime Minister's Office writes to say that, in fact, the costs of the lake is actually $57,000 and the cost of erecting and dismantling the 22,000 square feet media centre, which houses the lake, is $1.9 million.

“The Experience Canada space will host over 3,000 media and other guests, and will serve to highlight Canada’s pristine natural beauty, as well as promote leading Canadian businesses and industries,” a PMO spokesman says.

Irate about a fake lake; a new Quebec language fight; save the circus elephants! Tuesday's A1 headlines and Parliamentary Daybook

Irate about a fake lake; a new Quebec language fight; save the circus elephants! Listen to my four-minute audio roundup of what's on the front pages of the country's newspapers plus highlights from Tuesday's Parliamentary daybook by clicking on the link below.