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Pools, arenas and other "modern and efficient public infrastructure" spending

 Economic Action Plan

The federal budget of last week included a commitment to a 10-year $53-billion infrastructure spending program, “a new infrastructure plan focused on projects that create jobs and economic growth,” the budget documents said.

The purpose of the multi-billion dollar infrastructure programs that are just wrapping up as well as the decade-long one ahead of us is to build “modern and efficient public infrastructure in every community.” Continue reading Pools, arenas and other "modern and efficient public infrastructure" spending

Vatican denounces reports of pope's collusion during Argentina's "Dirty War"

Rome Bobble Heads
A selection of the bobble heads available for purchase from the street vendors outside St. Peter’s Square (David Akin / QMI Agency)

The Vatican responded swiftly Friday to stories that have resurfaced accusing Pope Francis of essentially colluding with the murderous Argentine junta of the late 1970s.

A typical example of the stories that have infuriated the Vatican is this one,: Jorge Bergoglio’s sinful role in Argentina’s ‘Dirty War’

But then are also stories like this one at WashingtonPost.com that quotes a Argentinian Pulitzer Prize-winning human rights activist: Continue reading Vatican denounces reports of pope's collusion during Argentina's "Dirty War"

Video: From St. Peter's Square, a report on Pope Francis and the "Days of Surprise"

Here’s a print version of what I’m talking about above:

VATICAN CITY – Like anyone nearing the end of a business trip, Jorge Bergoglio’s morning routine Thursday involved picking up his own luggage and heading to the front desk where he paid his own bill. Continue reading Video: From St. Peter's Square, a report on Pope Francis and the "Days of Surprise"

Electing a pope: The voting rules explained

For those who have asked:

  • A 2/3 majority is required to elect a pope. All the time. No exceptions. (During the conclave that elected Benedict, the first few ballots were 2/3 and then the threshold dropped to a simple majority.)
  • There are four rounds of voting on any given day the cardinals are voting. Two in the morning and two in the afternoon. White smoke will come immediately after any ballot that produces a pope. Black smoke, though, only comes after every two ballots — once after the morning rounds, once after the afternoon rounds.

Here’s what the Vatican Press Office issued a few days ago which explains this in more detail: Continue reading Electing a pope: The voting rules explained

I know what black and white smoke means, but what about green? Or Purple?

An Ottawa friend of mine came up with this today. He asked to remain anonymous but I thought this was just great and he agreed to share it his “smoke guide” for those who may be unfamiliar with the ins and outs of the colours that could come out of the Sistine Chapel chimney:

BLACK = No Pope, try again later.
WHITE = Pope.
PURPLE = Jupiter returns, Continue reading I know what black and white smoke means, but what about green? Or Purple?

Hermits, nuns and priests: Tuesday morning mass at St. Peter's

Nun praying on St. Peter's Square
A nun prays on St. Peter’s Square, Tuesday morning, just hours before cardinals begin their first round of voting for the next pope. (DAVID AKIN/QMI Agency)

I’ve put up a collection of pictures I took this morning on St. Peter’s Square, including the one above, at my Facebook site. Continue reading Hermits, nuns and priests: Tuesday morning mass at St. Peter's

77 votes to become pope: Scola, Scherer, Ouellet leading the pack?

It’s election day — e-day – at the Vatican! The 115 cardinal-electors will enter the Conclave in the Sistine Chapel at 4:30  pm Rome time/1130 am Toronto time where — if they choose to — they will hold their first round of voting for pope. I say, “if they choose to” because they do have the option of putting off the first vote until Wednesday morning. Some here think it’s a possibility though an unlikely one.

Assuming there is a vote — and there will be only one round balloting today — the smoke signals announcing the result will likely waft to the heavens at about 8 pm Rome time/3 pm Eastern. Now, that’s the expectation for the timing of the first smoke signal but there is no hard-and-fast schedule. I will be on “smoke watch” here in Rome from about 5:30 pm (Rome time) onwards. Continue reading 77 votes to become pope: Scola, Scherer, Ouellet leading the pack?

A Pope from Toronto? Sizing up conclave politics

Cardinal Thomas Collins
ROME – Cardinal Thomas Collins laughs with Canadian reporters outside his church in Rome, San Patrizio on Sunday, March 10. Collins is one of three Canadian cardinals who will enter the conclave Tuesday at the Vatican to select a new pope. (DAVID AKIN/QMI Agency)

The Maple Leafs, Rob Ford and – the Pope?

Don’t look now, but the city Canadians love to hate has an outside chance to be the hometown of the Holy Father to the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics.

Granted, Toronto Cardinal Thomas Collins, 66, is a long-shot to win the two-thirds majority of his 115 fellow cardinals when they enter the conclave here Tuesday to begin the process to select a successor to Benedict XVI. But he has attracted some notice among the international press here who have him in the second-tier group of potential popes.

As for the man himself, he’s just happy to be a witness to one of the most historic papal elections ever. Continue reading A Pope from Toronto? Sizing up conclave politics

PM, Official Opposition (Rabble.ca) react to Chavez death

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CARACAS, Venezuela – The hearse carrying the coffin of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez makes its way to the Military Academy amid thousands of supporters, on March 6, 2013. (AFP PHOTO/Juan Barreto)

Reaction in Ottawa to the death of Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper in an e-mail statement: Continue reading PM, Official Opposition (Rabble.ca) react to Chavez death